Hegseth Denies Discussion of War Plans in Signal Chat Scandal
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied claims that sensitive war plans were discussed in a Signal chat group inadvertently including journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. The discussion focused on airstrikes against Houthi terrorists. The incident has raised questions about National Security Adviser Mike Waltz’s future in the administration. White House press secretary affirmed Trump’s confidence in his national security team despite the scandal.
In response to the recent text scandal surrounding a Signal chat group, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth firmly stated that sensitive “war plans” were not being discussed among the participants. He remarked, “Nobody was texting war plans and that’s all I have to say about that,” during a press briefing in Hawaii, addressing concerns raised by a report from The Atlantic about a national security breach involving high-level officials from the Trump administration.
The report, authored by The Atlantic’s editor Jeffrey Goldberg, disclosed that he was mistakenly included in a text group that included senior officials discussing airstrike operations against Houthi terrorists. This inclusion occurred on March 11, prior to the actual strikes which took place on March 15. White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes confirmed that the messages mentioned in Goldberg’s report seem to be authentic and indicated a review of how the journalist was incorrectly added to the chat.
During his address, Hegseth criticized Goldberg, labeling him as a “deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist” known for spreading false information. He cited examples of Goldberg’s reporting, including debunked claims about the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia and other controversial articles, emphasizing a lack of credibility. Hegseth defended the military’s operations against Houthi in Yemen while pointing out the issues surrounding the leak.
Goldberg had joined the Signal thread referred to as the “Houthi PC small group” after connecting with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The incident has raised serious implications for Waltz’s position, with reports suggesting he could face job loss over the breach. A senior Trump administration official criticized the staff for their lack of caution and indicated that discussions regarding Waltz’s future are ongoing within the administration, with mixed sentiments about his potential removal.
Despite the scandal, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed President Trump’s confidence in the national security team, including Waltz. The White House has yet to respond to further inquiries regarding the situation.
In conclusion, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the concerns surrounding the Signal text group scandal, denying the discussion of sensitive military plans. The inclusion of journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in this group raised significant national security concerns, prompting scrutiny of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz’s role. As discussions continue regarding accountability within the national security team, President Trump remains supportive of his advisers amidst the controversy. The situation highlights the importance of confidentiality and oversight in high-stakes military communications.
Original Source: nypost.com
