President Trump stands firmly behind National Security Adviser Mike Waltz amid controversy surrounding a messaging platform breach involving military operations.
According to NewsNation, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently included in a Signal group chat where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials discussed plans for strikes against Houthi rebels.
The incident raised concerns about operational security when Goldberg revealed his unexpected access to sensitive military discussions. The National Security Council has since verified the authenticity of the message chain, though White House officials maintain no classified information was compromised.
Trump addressed the situation during an NBC interview with Garrett Haake on Tuesday, expressing unwavering support for Waltz. He characterized the incident as a minor setback that had no impact on military operations.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the administration's stance through social media. She emphasized on X that the Signal chat contained neither classified materials nor detailed war plans, aligning with Defense Secretary Hegseth's earlier statements.
The administration's response comes as Goldberg provided contradicting details about the chat's contents on CNN. He described specific discussions about targeting strategies, personnel locations, and upcoming attack sequences.
When initially questioned about the report on Monday, Trump appeared unfamiliar with the situation. He redirected attention to the success of the Houthi attacks instead of addressing the security breach.
Trump told NBC's Haake:
Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he's a good man. The only glitch in two months, and it turned out not to be a serious one.
The White House later released an official statement through Leavitt, reaffirming the president's trust in his national security team and highlighting the effectiveness of military operations against the Houthis.
Goldberg's account of the Signal chat differs significantly from the administration's version. His detailed description suggests comprehensive military planning discussions took place within the group.
The Atlantic editor's revelations have sparked debates about communication protocols within the administration. Security experts question the use of Signal for sensitive operational discussions.
These concerns persist despite White House assurances about the limited scope of information shared in the chat. The incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in digital communication practices among high-level officials.
The Signal chat incident involving National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg exposed potential vulnerabilities in military communication protocols. While Trump and White House officials maintain the breach had no operational impact on the successful March 15 strikes against Houthi rebels, questions remain about the security of sensitive military discussions. The administration continues to support Waltz while emphasizing that no classified information was compromised, though conflicting accounts about the chat's contents have emerged from various parties involved.
