President Donald Trump downplayed the recent revelation that his top national security officials had inadvertently disclosed war plans to a journalist on the commercial app Signal. He dismissed it as the only glitch in his second term and not a serious one. He defended his team, including national security adviser Michael Waltz, while attacking journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. However, the saga is far from over.
Additional text messages detailing logistical plans for an attack on Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen were published by The Atlantic. CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before the House Intelligence Committee, facing questions about their previous denials of sharing war plans.
There are still unanswered questions surrounding how a journalist was added to the group chat and why military attack plans were being discussed on an insecure commercial app. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared details about the attack in the chat, denying any classified information was disclosed. However, former military and intelligence officials believe otherwise.
The blame seems to be shifting to the messenger, with President Trump defending his officials and emphasizing that lessons have been learned. The scandal raises concerns about security protocols and the use of private communication channels for sensitive discussions.
During a meeting with U.S. ambassadors at the White House, President Donald Trump criticized Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, calling him a “sleazebag” and deeming the magazine a “failed publication.” Trump accused Goldberg of fabricating stories and being detrimental to the country. Despite Trump’s disparaging remarks, The Atlantic, under Goldberg’s leadership since 2016, has garnered multiple Pulitzer Prizes and turned a profit last year after years of financial losses.
The feud between Trump and Goldberg escalated when The Atlantic published an article quoting Trump as referring to fallen American soldiers as “losers” and “suckers.” Although Trump denied making such statements, his White House chief of staff confirmed the report. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the article as a “hoax” and criticized Goldberg for sensationalized reporting, labeling him a “Trump hater.”
Vice President JD Vance challenged The Atlantic’s portrayal of the texts as “war plans,” asserting that they were actually “attack plans.” During a group chat discussing the pending attack, Vance expressed reservations about the operation, particularly highlighting Europe’s reliance on the Suez Canal for trade. Despite his concerns, Vance emphasized his alignment with Trump’s administration and his commitment to keeping the debate within the confines of the chat.
Vance’s candid participation in the discussion, expressing skepticism about the attack and questioning the president’s grasp of geopolitical implications, diverged from the typical alignment shown by Vice President Mike Pence during Trump’s first term. While Vance’s stance on Europe’s defense spending echoed Trump’s views, his strong disapproval in the chat raised alarms among NATO leaders already apprehensive about the alliance’s future.
