Mike Waltz accepted full responsibility for a leaked Signal chat about military strikes in Yemen involving senior Trump administration officials. While the White House has minimized the severity of the leak, significant concerns remain regarding national security protocols. Critics from both sides of the political spectrum have called for accountability and resignation of involved officials.

Mike Waltz, National Security Advisor, accepted full responsibility for the accidental leak of a Trump administration Signal chat concerning strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Waltz stated, “I take full responsibility. I built the group,” during an interview on Fox News, acknowledging the embarrassing nature of the incident and pledging to investigate further.

The leaked chat was reportedly shared with The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, who authored an article detailing the conversation involving high-level officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance. This conversation allegedly breached security protocols and may have violated federal espionage laws by discussing sensitive military details. The Atlantic affirmed its reporting amidst accusations from some administration officials claiming Goldberg perpetuated hoaxes.

A representative from The Atlantic defended their reporting, asserting that the attack on their credibility reflected a broader trend of hostility towards journalists and First Amendment rights. In response to the incident, President Trump characterized Waltz as a “good man” who had “learned his lesson,” indicating he would not face termination over the matter.

The White House announced that Waltz would lead an investigation into the leak, employing top technical experts to uncover its origins. While the administration asserted that no classified information was shared in the chat, they have alternatively claimed in other circumstances that similar operational details constitute state secrets. The Pentagon previously cautioned officials against using the Signal app due to vulnerabilities that may expose communications to foreign adversaries.

Democratic leaders have been critical of the leak, calling for the resignation of involved officials. Senator Elizabeth Warren articulated her concerns about Secretary Hegseth’s preparedness for office in light of the incident, signifying broader apprehensions regarding national security.

In summary, Mike Waltz has assumed full responsibility for the leak of a Signal chat regarding military strikes in Yemen, promising accountability and investigation. The incident has raised pressing concerns about national security protocols and the vulnerability of communication channels used by government officials. The leak has drawn significant criticism from Democratic leaders, reflecting a need for greater scrutiny of the practices followed by high-level officials.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk

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