U.S. senators plan to question Trump’s intelligence officials over a security breach involving sensitive military discussions on a commercial messaging app, where a journalist was also included. Concerns regarding classified information sharing have led to demands for an investigation and potential repercussions.

U.S. senators are set to scrutinize President Donald Trump’s intelligence officials regarding a significant breach of national security. This matter revolves around sensitive military discussions carried out in a commercial messaging application that inadvertently included a journalist. The discussion, concerning U.S. operations against the Yemeni rebel group Houthi, has raised serious concerns among Democrats and national security experts, triggering calls for an investigation.

The editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, disclosed that he received an unexpected invitation to join a chat group called “Houthi PC small group” on March 13, which included discussions about military strategies against Houthi actions affecting Red Sea shipping. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed the legitimacy of the chat group and stated the investigation into how Goldberg was added to it is ongoing.

Democrats and some Republicans have expressed outrage, emphasizing that sharing classified information via commercial chat apps is unacceptable. Senator Mark Warner remarked that the handling of classified information poses risks to national security, asserting that the administration’s actions make Americans less secure. The Senate Intelligence Committee is to question key officials, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, during an annual security threats hearing.

Senator Tom Cotton stated expectations for the breach to be addressed in the hearing. He underscored the importance of focusing on the military actions taken to counter the Houthi threat, while stressing the need for accountability over the leak of sensitive information. Meanwhile, Representative Jim Himes has vowed to pursue answers regarding the breach during a separate threats hearing on Wednesday.

Some Democrats are advocating for serious repercussions for officials involved, including the potential revocation of security clearances. However, there remains no immediate indication of any consequences. White House officials, as well as some Republican colleagues, have directed attention to the successful military actions taken against the Houthis, initiated by President Trump on March 15, with targeted actions aimed at mitigating Iranian support for the group.

In summary, U.S. senators are poised to interrogate Trump’s intelligence officials regarding a serious breach of national security due to sensitive discussions occurring in a commercial messaging app. This situation has prompted widespread concern amongst Democratic leaders and national security analysts, leading to calls for an investigation. The potential implications for officials involved and broader discussions on security protocols are vital as the Senate and House Intelligence Committees seek clarity on the incident.

Original Source: www.usnews.com

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