President Trump has labeled the leaked Yemen air strike plans as a ‘witch hunt’ while defending Defense Secretary Hegseth amid calls for his resignation from Democrats. The controversy arose from messages shared in a Signal chat group that unveiled sensitive operational details. Trump insists no classified information was shared, attributing the error to an inadvertent inclusion of a journalist by National Security Advisor Waltz.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump condemned the escalating scandal regarding leaked Yemen air strike plans as a “witch hunt.” He expressed support for his Pentagon chief, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite calls for Hegseth’s resignation from Democratic leaders following the leak. The controversy arose after The Atlantic released transcripts from a Signal messaging group that included sensitive information about planned air strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The conversations disclosed specifics, such as strike timings and types of military assets involved. Trump asserted that Hegseth should not be implicated, emphasizing that the leaked data did not reveal classified information. He further mentioned that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz accepted responsibility for mistakenly including a journalist in the private communication, an episode now referred to as “Signalgate.”

Hegseth, while visiting Hawaii, defended the exchange by confirming that it contained no identifiable details or specific targets. The discussion intensified as Democratic leaders criticized Hegseth’s handling of the incident and suggested that he should resign if he was not willing to accept accountability. Senator Tammy Duckworth labeled him a “liar” and called for the dismissal of all officials involved in the chat.

Despite the criticisms, Republican officials largely sought to diminish the significance of the leak, with Vice President JD Vance asserting that The Atlantic had exaggerated the situation. In contrast, only Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the occurrence of a “big mistake” during the messaging incident. Furthermore, Rogers Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has demanded an independent investigation into the matter.

The leaked chat included a timeline for military strikes, with Hegseth detailing the launch of U.S. warplanes just before the actions began. Amid mounting pressure, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt branded the journalist involved in the leak as an “anti-Trump hater.” Meanwhile, the situation in Yemen remains tense, with U.S. military operations against the Houthi rebels continuing during this controversy, which is set against the backdrop of their claimed solidarity with Gaza amidst ongoing regional conflicts.

The situation revolving around the leaked Yemen air strike plans has ignited significant political discourse, marked by President Trump’s condemnation of the scandal as a “witch hunt.” As the controversy unfolds, Defense Secretary Hegseth faces mounting scrutiny from Democratic leaders while Republican allies downplay the incident’s repercussions. The administration maintains that classified information was not compromised, even as questions about accountability continue to emerge in light of ongoing military efforts in Yemen.

Original Source: www.mykxlg.com

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