Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that sensitive war plans were discussed in a Signal chat group mistakenly including journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. The chat included high-level discussions about Yemen airstrikes. Waltz faces potential job loss while the White House supports the national security team amid the scandal.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted on Monday that sensitive “war plans” were not discussed within a Signal chat group that mistakenly included a journalist. When questioned about a report by The Atlantic revealing a significant breach of national security, Hegseth replied, “Nobody was texting war plans and that’s all I have to say about that,” while addressing reporters in Hawaii.

The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, disclosed that he was inadvertently added to a group text with Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and other Trump administration officials. This group discussed internal deliberations and operational details related to airstrikes against Houthi terrorists, following his addition to the Signal chat on March 11, ahead of the airstrikes that occurred on March 15.

National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes confirmed earlier on Monday that certain messages reported by Goldberg seem “authentic,” and he stated that the NSC is examining how an incorrect number was integrated into the chat chain. In his remarks following the incident, Hegseth criticized Goldberg, describing him as a “deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist” with a reputation for spreading hoaxes.

The defense secretary further pointed out previous instances where Goldberg’s reporting had been questioned, including debunked claims of Trump campaign collusion with Russia, Trump’s remarks about the Charlottesville rally, and accusations regarding disparaging U.S. troops. Hegseth stated, “This is a guy that pedals in garbage, this is what he does,” before discussing military efforts against Houthi forces.

Goldberg explained that he joined a Signal group named “Houthi PC small group” just two days after an interaction with Waltz on the app. As a consequence of the incident, Waltz is reportedly at risk of losing his job due to the breach of protocol. A senior Trump administration official criticized the negligence involved in the text chain, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in national security matters.

Discussions are ongoing among staffers about Waltz’s future, with some expressing doubt about his ability to retain his position. Following the controversy, it was indicated that former President Trump had communicated with Waltz after initially stating he was unaware of the issue.

Moreover, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that “President Trump continues to have the utmost confidence in his national security team, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.” However, the White House has yet to provide immediate comments regarding this incident.

In conclusion, Pete Hegseth maintains that the discussions within the Signal chat group did not involve sensitive war plans, despite the serious breach of national security highlighted by The Atlantic. The incident raises critical questions about vigilance and accountability among national security officials, particularly for Mike Waltz, who may face repercussions. The White House continues to support its national security team amid these controversies, underscoring the complexities surrounding the management of sensitive information.

Original Source: nypost.com

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