National Security Advisor Mike Waltz takes full responsibility for a security breach that exposed classified Yemen strike plans to a journalist, raising serious questions about the handling of sensitive military information in the Trump administration.
Key Takeaways
- National Security Advisor Michael Waltz inadvertently included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a classified Signal group chat about planned Yemen airstrikes
- The group chat included high-ranking officials like Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- President Trump defended Waltz, calling him a “good man” while suggesting a staffer might be responsible despite Waltz’s admission
- Critics including Senator Mark Warner and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the breach as potentially criminal
- The use of Signal for classified communications may violate the Espionage Act as it’s not an approved platform for such information
Security Lapse Exposes Yemen Strike Plans
A significant security breach occurred when Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz mistakenly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a classified group chat on Signal discussing military strikes in Yemen. The chat included an array of top officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This error allowed Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, access to highly sensitive military planning information that was not intended for public knowledge, prompting immediate concerns about operational security and proper protocols for handling classified information.
In a Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham, Waltz directly addressed the situation, stating: “I take full responsibility. I built the group; my job is to make sure everything’s coordinated.” This forthright acknowledgment came amid growing questions about how such a serious breach of security protocols could occur at the highest levels of government. Waltz confirmed he does not personally know Goldberg, adding to the confusion about how the journalist was included in such a sensitive communication channel.
Administration’s Response and Investigation
The response from the administration has shown some inconsistencies. While Waltz publicly took responsibility for creating the group that leaked the information, he simultaneously worked to deflect blame in other ways. When questioned further about the technical aspects of how the error occurred, Waltz admitted to consulting with Elon Musk to investigate the technical error. This unusual step of involving a private sector technology figure in a national security breach investigation has raised eyebrows among security experts.
“It’s embarrassing, yes. We’re going to get to the bottom of it.”
President Trump offered a different perspective, suggesting that the fault might lie with a lower-level staffer rather than Waltz himself. Trump stated, “We believe … somebody that was on the line, with permission, somebody that … worked with Mike Waltz at a lower level, had Goldberg’s number or call through the app, and somehow this guy ended up on the call.” Despite this contradictory narrative, Trump defended Waltz as a “good man” and characterized the incident as a minor glitch rather than a major security breach.
Criticism and Legal Implications
The security breach has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Senator Mark Warner and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have publicly condemned the incident as careless and potentially criminal. Security experts have pointed out that using Signal for national security discussions may constitute a violation of the Espionage Act, as the platform is not officially approved for sharing classified information. The incident has renewed focus on proper protocols for handling sensitive national security information.
“Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, said on Tuesday he takes “full responsibility” for the group chat of senior administration officials that inadvertently included a journalist and leaked highly sensitive information about planned airstrikes in Yemen.” – Source
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining operational security in an increasingly digital communication environment. While secure messaging apps like Signal offer encryption, they don’t replace established government protocols for classified communications. As the administration continues its investigation into how this breach occurred, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required when handling sensitive national security information, especially when planning military operations with potential international ramifications.
Sources:
- Mike Waltz claims ‘full responsibility’ for Signal chat group leaked to journalist
- Trump advisor Waltz takes responsibility for Yemen chat leak
