Position Safety Advisor vs Vulnerable After he adds a journalist to chat about battle plan

Between all the criticism of the measures and the ministers of the new Trump government, it is rarely about what dominated in his first term: internal chaos and shocking incompetence. But after just two months, there is now a big scandal in which there are blur, carelessness, disagreement and national security. On Monday, Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor -in -chief of the magazine The Atlantichow he Until his own bewilderment In a ministerial chat group about bombing the Houthis in Yemen. After the Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz Goldberg added to Signal to the ‘Houthi PC Small Group‘, Defense minister Pete Hegseeth explained how, where and when the rebel group would be attacked.

Goldberg initially did not believe that the group was real. Trumps cabinet couldn’t be that reckless? He suspected a foreign disinformation campaign. Or an attempt by right -wing activists to ridicule journalists who would fall into it.

When the bombing in Yemen started on March 15, exactly when Hegseeth announced per chat, it turned out that Goldberg had really witnessed military planning in a private app.

Although Signal is known for solid encryption, it is out of the question that such an operation is being communicated outside its own secure systems of the federal government. Spokespersons of ministers and the White House have now confirmed the violation of the safety protocols. It remains unclear why Waltz just added Goldberg to the group. And how for days none of the seventeen others in the conversation noticed him.

Vance Dissonant

In addition to Hegseeth, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent of Finance, Intelligence Chef Tulsi Gabbard, CIA director John Ratcliffe were also in the group. Just like negotiator Steve Witkoffadviser Stephen Miller and Staff Chef Susie Wiles. Vice President JD Vance played the most striking role in the conversation. He never publicly speaks out against Trump plans, but was critical of the plans in Yemen here.

« I think we make a mistake, » he wrote. Why would the US attack the group that hindered the free passage through the Suez Canal, he wondered. American trade is hardly dependent on that route, in contrast to European freight traffic. « I don’t know if the president is aware of how inconsistent this is with his message about Europe, » said Vance, who argued in the app posture. « Moreover, there is a risk of any sturdy rise in oil prices. »

Defense minister Hegseeth agreed that it would be difficult to explain to Americans why the approach to the rebel group supported by Iran is important. It has nothing to do with Trumps Isolationist and Peace -Fighting Message. « That is why we must focus on the message: 1) Biden has failed & 2) is paid by Iran. » Waltz added that a plan is being worked on « to recover the corresponding costs from the Europeans ». Vance agreed in “If you think we should do it, Let’s Go. I just hate to help Europeans out again.  »

In American media, astonishment about Vance’s dissonant opinion about the military action sounds, but it is certainly so remarkable how consistent he is about his aversion to Europe. He already explained it in his recent speech In Munich.

Goldberg, who withdrew himself from the app group after the attack in Yemen actually took place, quotes from the political considerations, but not from the strategic points and attack plans, because these are issues of national security.

Blunder or crime?

More than inconsistent within the government, the app group shows the hurry, carelessness and paints of standards and processes that this government has. Adding the journalist to the app group was a blunder, the conversation itself a foul. Since the publication in The Atlantic, Democrats have been calling for an investigation, resignation or even arresting those responsible.

« Every government official in this message chain committed a crime – if they accidentally – who would normally mean a prison, » said Senator Chris Coon, the highest democrat in the Senate Committee on the defense budget. « This government deals with the most secret information in our country and makes all Americans less safe, » wrote Senator Mark Warner, the highest democrat in the intelligence committee. « These are the geniuses that betray Ukraine and destroy our alliances all over the world. No wonder that Putin puts them at the negotiating table for them, » said Senator Ruben Gallego.

Some Republicans also show themselves, but have no judgment ready. « There are always two sides on a story, but it’s disturbing, » said senator roger wickerchairman of the defense committee. « Nothing of this should have been sent through non-secured systems, » said Don Bacon. Representative Derrick van Orden argues for any form of ‘accountability’. Asked if that dismissal should result in, he called it « a scenario« .

Polrico report that The position of safety adviser Waltz At stake is – the man who mistakenly added the journalist. Not the position of Defense Minister Hegseeth, who shared state secret information. Hegseeth spoke on Monday, on Hawaii, briefly with the press. He lashed out to Goldberg and claimed that « no one applied war plans ».

President Trump, who still shortly before this scandal had time to get excited about a portrait He pretended to be in the Capitol of Colorado during a press conference as if he knew nothing about the scandal. « This is the first thing I hear about it, » he claimed after a question from a journalist.

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