Trump Administration Insiders Turn on Each Other

Security Breach in the National Security Council

In a shocking revelation, a prominent journalist claims he was unintentionally included in a group text messaging app as the country’s top national security officials discussed plans to bomb the Houthis in Yemen. The existence of the message chain was revealed Monday in a story in Gizmoposts24 by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the magazine.

The group chat took place on Signal, an encrypted messaging app, and began on March 11. Although no one else seemed to be aware of Goldberg’s presence, 18 individuals participated in the chain, including Vice President JD Vance, national security adviser Michael Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Trump adviser Stephen Miller.

The Unintended Addition: How a Journalist Stumbled Upon a Group Chat with Top National Security Officials

Goldberg said he received a connection request on Tuesday, March 11 from a user on Signal identified as Waltz and accepted it. Two days later, he was added to a group chat on the platform called “Houthi PC small group.”

The Content of the Chat: Operational Military Information and Planned Strikes on Yemen

Over the course of the following days, Goldberg told Gizmoposts24 in an interview that he was exposed to “operational military information,” including discussions about planned military strikes on Yemen targeting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

The Reaction: Trump Administration Downplays the Incident, While Experts Express Concern

Trump told Gizmoposts24 in a phone interview that an aide to Waltz was responsible for the adding Goldberg to the group. “Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man,” Trump said.

The Trump administration is now facing criticism over its handling of sensitive information on foreign policy, with the texting mishap raising concerns among national security experts. Trump retains confidence in Waltz, said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

• Leavitt said on social media that no classified material was discussed on the thread, and said “terrorists were killed and that’s what matters most to President Trump.”
• The National Security Council is “reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain,” its spokesman Brian Hughes said on Monday.

The Fallout and Implications

A Lack of Vetting: The Ease with which a Journalist was Added to a Sensitive Group Chat

Goldberg’s inclusion in the group chat raises concerns about the lack of proper vetting procedures in place to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. The incident highlights the potential risks of using encrypted messaging apps for official business.

The Risks of Using Encrypted Messaging Apps for Official Business

Experts warn that using encrypted messaging apps can lead to security breaches, as seen in this incident. John Bolton, a former national security adviser, said the discussion should have taken place in the White House Situation Room, a secure location for monitoring intelligence and national security.

Mietek Boduszyński, a former U.S. State Department diplomat and associate politics professor at Pomona College, also expressed shock, saying that mentioning a meeting topic on a social media platform “would be crazy and unheard of.” He added that in his experience, even mentioning a meeting topic on a social media platform “would be crazy and unheard of.”

The Consequences of a Security Breach: Eroding Trust in the National Security Council

The security breach involving Michael Waltz, a key figure in the National Security Council (NSC) under the Trump administration, has sparked a significant debate on the integrity and oversight of national security communications. The incident, which involved a journalist inadvertently being added to a secure Signal group chat between top officials, has raised serious questions about the protocols and trust within the NSC.

The breach, as detailed in a report by Gizmoposts24, involved the inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg, a journalist, in a group chat where discussions of military operations were taking place. The incident highlights the need for enhanced security measures and stringent protocols to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The Trump Administration’s Response

Trump’s Defense of Michael Waltz: A Good Man Who Learned a Lesson

President Trump, in his defense of Waltz, has portrayed the incident as a minor glitch. In a statement released to Gizmoposts24, Trump emphasized that Waltz is “a good man who learned a lesson.” This defense comes as a part of a broader narrative from the administration to downplay the severity of the breach. Trump’s stance suggests a focus on personal loyalty and a willingness to protect his inner circle from public scrutiny.

The White House’s Stance: No Classified Material was Discussed, and the Incident was Isolated

The White House has maintained that no classified material was shared within the group chat. In a press briefing, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the information shared was “not classified” and that the incident was an isolated case. This assertion has been met with skepticism by security experts and former officials, who argue that the mere inclusion of a non-vetted individual in such communications constitutes a significant breach of protocol.

The Review Process: How the National Security Council is Addressing the Breach

In response to the breach, the National Security Council has initiated an internal review to address the procedural failings that led to this incident. The review will focus on the vetting processes for participants in secure communications and the overall security protocols of the NSC. This review process underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive information moving forward. According to a spokesperson for the NSC, Brian Hughes, the review will lead to the implementation of stricter security measures to prevent similar incidents.

Expert Analysis and Criticism

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s Reaction: “Without Words”

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton, in a statement to Gizmoposts24, expressed disbelief at the incident, describing it as a situation that left him “without words.” Bolton emphasized the gravity of the breach, noting that such discussions should be conducted in secure, physically protected environments, like the White House Situation Room. His reaction underscores a broader concern among security experts about the handling of sensitive information.

The Diplomatic Community’s Shock and Disbelief

The diplomatic community has been particularly critical of the breach, with many diplomats expressing shock and disbelief at the oversight. Mietek Boduszyński, a former U.S. State Department diplomat and associate politics professor at Pomona College, stated that such a breach is unprecedented and reflects a severe lapse in judgment. “In my experience, discussing sensitive topics on unsecured channels is a serious violation of protocol and could have dire implications for national security,” Boduszyński told Gizmoposts24.

The Implications for National Security and Foreign Policy

The implications of this breach extend beyond the immediate security concerns. It has the potential to erode trust in the NSC’s ability to manage sensitive information, which could impact the confidence of international allies in the U.S. foreign policy framework. Diplomatic relations could be strained as other nations question the security of their interactions with the U.S. Furthermore, the incident could embolden adversaries to engage in more sophisticated espionage activities, exploiting perceived vulnerabilities in U.S. communication protocols.