Calls for Resignation of Defense Secretary Over Group Chat Leak Regarding Yemen Airstrike
Rep. Kelly Morrison has urged the resignations of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz after a group chat leak exposed plans for a military strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The incident, involving a mistakenly added journalist, raises serious concerns regarding the handling of sensitive military information. Although officials claim no classified data was shared, the incident highlights potential negligence in national security protocols.
Representative Kelly Morrison has called for the resignation of both Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz following a group chat incident that exposed operational plans to bomb Houthi rebels in Yemen. This call for accountability emerged after a report revealed that Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to an encrypted chat discussing sensitive military strategies.
In the leaked chat, discussions included Vice President JD Vance expressing reluctance about supporting European interests, while ultimately deferring to Secretary Hegseth on military actions. Coincidentally, an airstrike against Houthi targets occurred shortly after the chat commenced. The Houthis have been reportedly targeting vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023.
In her statement, Representative Morrison emphasized the severity of the breach, arguing that similar actions by military personnel would lead to dismissal. She underscored the necessity for national security leaders to maintain high standards in handling sensitive military intelligence and called for immediate oversight to preclude future incidents.
The specifics surrounding the classified status of the information shared in the chat remain ambiguous. There is uncertainty regarding whether Signal was authorized for such exchanges, although some officials had previously been permitted to use it with restrictions during the Biden administration. Trump administration officials maintained that no classified information was shared, yet they could not clarify how the journalist was added to the conversation.
Defense Secretary Hegseth has denounced the reports, labeling Goldberg as a discredited journalist and contesting the classification of the shared information as “war plans.” President Trump affirmed that the chat did not jeopardize the airstrike operation, which proceeded smoothly. The matter is currently under investigation by the National Security Council.
In summary, Representative Kelly Morrison’s demand for the resignations of Secretary Hegseth and National Security Advisor Waltz reflects growing concerns over the handling of military intelligence following a notable group chat leak. While officials assert that no classified information was disclosed, the implications of such negligence warrant thorough oversight and accountability measures to protect national security.
Original Source: www.fox9.com
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