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Clara Montgomery
Trump Dismisses Yemen Chat Breach as a Minor Glitch, Calls for Continued Confidence in National Security Team
President Trump dismissed the breach of a group chat on Yemen as a minor “glitch,” emphasizing his confidence in his national security team. The chat included top officials discussing military actions against Huthi rebels. Critics have called for an investigation into the usage of commercial platforms for sensitive discussions, while Trump’s administration maintains that no classified information was shared during the incident.
On Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump characterized the recent unauthorized addition of a journalist to a group chat concerning Yemen air strikes as a mere “glitch.” Despite the alarming nature of this breach, Trump reaffirmed his confidence in his national security team amidst growing scrutiny following a report from The Atlantic by Jeffrey Goldberg about the incident.
The group chat included prominent officials such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, discussing actions against Iran-backed Huthi rebels. Trump, in an interview with NBC, stated that this breach was not serious, labeling it as “the only glitch in two months” and defended Waltz as a capable individual who has learned from the experience.
Goldberg had reported that he received a connection request from a user named Michael Waltz on the Signal app. Trump clarified that it was merely a staff member who inadvertently had his number included in the chat. The White House had previously issued a more robust response, confirming the breach, while Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reassured that no critical war plans or classified materials were shared in the forum.
Leavitt also criticized Goldberg for sensationalism and maintained that guidance was provided for secure communications among officials. In contrast, several Democrats raised concerns over the legality of using commercial platforms for sensitive discussions and called for an investigation to understand the motivations behind this choice of communication.
Although Trump announced the strikes on Huthi positions on March 15, Goldberg indicated he received advance information through the group chat. During a hearing, officials including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA chief John Ratcliffe were expected to address the implications of the breach, as well as the strategic actions taken.
Particularly concerning were comments made by officials in the chat, highlighting skepticism about U.S. involvement in Yemen’s conflicts. Vance, expressing frustration over supporting European nations, described them as “pathetic” in their reliance on U.S. military assistance. The Huthi rebels have actively threatened shipping in the region amid ongoing tensions fueled by their alignment with pro-Iran factions, particularly during the Palestinian Gaza conflict.
In summary, President Trump’s handling of the Yemen chat breach marks a notable incident of concern regarding national security communications. Despite Downplaying the seriousness of the event as a “glitch,” the incident raises critical questions regarding the use of commercial messaging platforms by government officials. As scrutiny from various political factions intensifies, the implications of such breaches highlight the need for stringent protocols in secure communications.
Original Source: www.france24.com
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