The Trump administration mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a group chat discussing classified military plans against Yemen’s Huthi rebels. The incident raises security concerns as sensitive information was shared on a commercial app rather than secured channels. Officials’ discussions reflected varied viewpoints on military involvement, prompting outrage and calls for investigation from political leaders, including Senator Chuck Schumer.

The Trump administration inadvertently included a journalist in a group chat where high-ranking officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, discussed classified plans for airstrikes against Huthi rebels in Yemen. This information was confirmed by the White House and came to light on March 15 after President Trump announced the military actions. The matter has raised serious security concerns due to the sensitive nature of the communications shared via the chat on Signal.

The National Security Council later acknowledged the breach, stating, “The message thread that was reported appears to be authentic, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain,” according to spokesman Brian Hughes. Additionally, despite the breach, Trump expressed confidence in his national security team, asserting that he was unaware of the situation.

Hegseth, tasked with leading national defense, failed to accept responsibility for this incident, redirecting his criticism toward the journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, who received details about the strikes in the chat. According to Goldberg, Hegseth’s messages included critical information on targets and attack plans. He noted that the initial strikes were timed for 1:45 PM Eastern Time, which aligned with reports from Yemen.

Goldberg indicated that he had been added to the chat on March 12 and received information from top officials about operational roles. In a discussion among officials, there were varied opinions on executing strikes, with Vance expressing concern over U.S. involvement and criticizing European nations for relying on American military support.

The chat included discussions on potential military capabilities and unjust expectations placed on the U.S. by European allies. Hegseth’s response to media inquiries demonstrated an avoidance of accountability regarding the use of a commercial application for secure communication, which is typically handled through more secure military channels. The incident elicited strong responses from Democrats, with Senator Chuck Schumer describing it as “one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time” and calling for thorough investigation.

The inadvertent inclusion of a journalist in a sensitive military chat highlights significant security vulnerabilities within the Trump administration. The incident underscores the importance of secure communication protocols and the risks associated with unauthorized information dissemination. The strong reactions from political leaders indicate a bipartisan concern regarding military intelligence integrity, necessitating a thorough investigation into the breach.

Original Source: www.shine.cn

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