Trump downplays accidental leak in Houthi operation chat
- Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he's a good man, - said Donald Trump when asked about the matter of revealing data regarding the attack on the Houthis in a chat on the Signal app. He added it was "the only glitch in two months, and it turned out not to be a serious one."
What do you need to know?
- Mike Waltz will remain in position after the scandal involving the disclosure of secret plans for the attack on the Houthis.
- Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of "The Atlantic", accidentally joined a chat where details of the military operation in Yemen were disclosed.
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth questioned the authenticity of the publication, although a National Security Council spokesman confirmed its authenticity.
The Editor-in-Chief of "The Atlantic", Jeffrey Goldberg, stated on Monday that he was accidentally invited to a group chat with top White House officials regarding the operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen. During the discussion, the Pentagon chief sent plans for the operation in that country.
Donald Trump was asked for a comment on the matter and stated that Waltz is "a good man" and he "has learned a lesson", as reported by NBC News.
The White House comments on the Houthi attack scandal
The matter was also addressed by the White House spokeswoman. "As I said yesterday, the President continues to have confidence in his national security team, including Mike Waltz," stated Karoline Leavitt.
"Stories claiming otherwise are driven by anonymous sources who clearly do not speak to the President, and written by reporters who are thirsty for a 'scoop'," she added.
Goldberg reveals details of the Houthi attack scandal
Goldberg was in the group for a few consecutive days, allowing him to observe the discussion among top administration officials about the planned strike on Yemeni rebel targets. Two hours before this military operation, he received its detailed plan and later information about its effects.
"The information contained in them, if they had been read by an adversary of the United States, could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel, particularly in the broader Middle East, Central Command’s area of responsibility. What I will say, in order to illustrate the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation, is that the Hegseth post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing," wrote Goldberg.
