President Trump and intelligence officials are addressing a security breach involving a journalist accidentally added to a group chat about Yemen airstrikes. Trump called it a minor “glitch,” asserting no classified information was shared. The incident prompted calls for resignations from committee Democrats and raised concerns about secure communications. Leaked messages revealed disparaging views on European allies among U.S. officials.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump and senior intelligence officials attempted to mitigate a surge of controversy following a significant security breach, where a journalist was inadvertently added to a group chat concerning airstrikes on Yemen’s Huthi rebels. Trump dismissed the incident as a minor “glitch,” while both the CIA director and the White House intelligence chief assured during a Senate hearing that no classified details were revealed in the discussions held over the Signal messaging app.

Trump also supported National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who mistakenly included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic magazine, in the chat prior to the strikes. The president stated that this incident was “the only glitch in two months” and praised Waltz for his character, while emphasizing that the breach was not a grave issue.

During the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe sought to clarify their involvement in the conversation, asserting that no classified information was exchanged. Gabbard, who has previously faced scrutiny over her views, declined to disclose if she had the Signal app on her personal phone, while Ratcliffe confirmed his use of the application on his work computer.

Democrats on the committee harshly criticized the incident, with Senator Mark Warner labeling it “sloppy, careless, incompetent behavior.” Journalist Goldberg noted that, although he was added to the group two days before the Yemen strikes, he refrained from disclosing sensitive information. In defending their communications, Waltz claimed that”nobody was texting war plans.”

In response to the report, the White House initiated a substantial damage control effort, targeting Goldberg and characterizing the narrative as a “coordinated effort” against Trump. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that no classified material was communicated in the thread and accused Goldberg of being known for “sensationalist spin.”

The incident raised alarms regarding the choice of a commercial app instead of officially sanctioned secure channels, with concerns about the potential for foreign interference. Notably, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff was reported to be in Moscow when he was included in the group.

The leaked communication also revealed unflattering sentiments from top officials about European allies, including remarks concerning their reliance on the U.S. for military engagements. Contributors to the chat expressed their frustrations about providing military support, with one stating hatred for “bailing Europe out again.” The Huthi rebels have persistently targeted commercial vessels in the region, claiming their attacks support Palestinian solidarity during the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The accidental inclusion of a journalist in a sensitive group chat about Yemen airstrikes has raised significant security concerns. Despite assurances from President Trump and intelligence officials that no classified information was shared, the incident has led to calls for resignations and criticisms of carelessness. The dynamics of U.S. relations with key allies were also laid bare, emphasizing deeper complexities in military and diplomatic engagements.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com

Related posts:

Trump Dismisses Yemen Chat Leak as Minor Glitch Amid Backlash Trump Dismisses Yemen Chat Breach as a Minor Glitch, Calls for Continued Confidence in National Security Team Trump Administration’s Classified Military Plans Breached by Journalist Inclusion Trump Dismisses Yemen Chat Breach as Minor Glitch Amid Rising Concerns