Trump Responds to Critical Security Breach; Vance Reportedly Had Concerns
Former President Donald Trump addressed The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg on Monday after the journalist disclosed that he was mistakenly added to a group chat where senior Cabinet members discussed military action against Houthi militants in Yemen.
Goldberg explained that he initially connected with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz through Signal and, days later, unexpectedly found himself in a group chat labeled “Houthi PC small group.”
High-ranking officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, reportedly used the chat to deliberate on airstrikes against the Houthis in response to disruptions in Middle Eastern shipping routes.
When asked about the situation, Trump told reporters he had no prior knowledge of the incident involving Goldberg’s accidental inclusion in the messages.
Below is an excerpt from the exchange:
REPORTER: Mr. President, your response to The Atlantic’s report stating that some of your top officials and aides were discussing highly sensitive matters via Signal, and that an Atlantic reporter was inadvertently included in those discussions. What is your reaction, and will you be taking action?
TRUMP: I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of The Atlantic. To me, it’s a magazine that’s going out of business. I think it’s not much of a magazine, but I know nothing about it. You’re saying that they had what?
REPORTER: They were using Signal to coordinate on sensitive materials, and –
TRUMP: Having to do with what? Having to do with what? What were they talking about?
REPORTER: The Houthis.
TRUMP: With the Houthis. You mean the attack on the Houthis? Well, it couldn’t have been very effective because the attack was very effective, I can tell you that. I don’t know anything about it. You’re telling me about it for the first time.
Later that evening, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes confirmed the legitimacy of the messages Goldberg had seen.
“This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain,” Hughes stated.
He continued, “The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security.”
The group messages appeared to capture Trump administration officials debating the timing and impact of the airstrikes.
Vance voiced concerns about aiding European interests without clear reciprocal benefits, as Houthi attacks primarily disrupted their trade routes.
“I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now,” Vance messaged his colleagues. “There’s a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc.”
Hegseth responded to Vance, “I understand your concerns – and fully support you raising w/ POTUS.”
He also emphasized that swift action was necessary to prevent the U.S. from appearing “indecisive” and to ensure that the Israel-Gaza ceasefire remained intact, particularly if Israel acted first.
“Whether it’s now or several weeks from now, it will have to be the United States that reopens these shipping lanes,” Waltz contributed. “Per the president’s request we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans.”
Vance restated, “I just hate bailing Europe out again,” but ultimately told Hegseth, “If you think we should do it let’s go.”
Hegseth replied, “VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC. But Mike is correct, we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this. Nobody else even close.”