President Donald Trump has come to the defense of National Security Advisor Michael Waltz following a controversial Signal messaging app leak that inadvertently exposed sensitive military plans to a journalist. The incident, which has sparked intense scrutiny from lawmakers and security experts alike, involved Waltz’s office mistakenly adding Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of *The Atlantic*, to a private Signal group chat discussing imminent U.S. military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
During a meeting with U.S. ambassadors on Monday, Trump dismissed calls for an apology from Waltz and expressed confidence in his advisor’s abilities. “I don’t think he should apologize,” Trump said. “I believe he’s doing his best. It’s technology that isn’t flawless.” He added that Waltz likely wouldn’t use Signal again in the near future, given the fallout from the incident.
The Signal Leak: A National Security Breach
The leak occurred earlier this month when Goldberg was inadvertently included in a Signal chat titled "Houthi PC Small Group," which involved high-ranking officials such as Secretary of State Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The chat reportedly contained discussions about planned military strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, granting Goldberg access to sensitive information hours before public disclosure.
Goldberg later recounted the experience in an article for *The Atlantic*, describing how he realized the gravity of the situation upon witnessing discussions about military operations unfold in real-time. Critics have labeled the incident a significant breach of national security, questioning the use of public messaging apps for sensitive communications.
Key Points of the Incident
- Incident Details: The chat was meant for internal coordination but accidentally included Goldberg, who initially suspected it might be a prank.
- Security Concerns: Critics argue that relying on apps commonly used by journalists and civilians poses inherent risks, especially when discussing classified information.
- Response: Democratic lawmakers have voiced outrage, demanding stricter protocols and accountability.
Trump’s Defense and Waltz’s Response
In his remarks, President Trump downplayed the severity of the incident, referring to it as “the only hiccup in two months” of his administration. He attributed the mistake to technological imperfections rather than human error and reaffirmed his support for Waltz, stating that he had gained valuable experience from the situation.
Waltz himself has publicly taken full responsibility for the leak, calling it “humiliating” during an appearance on Fox News. “I created the group,” Waltz admitted. “It’s my job to make sure everything is coordinated.” He also assured both Trump and the public that White House technical experts and legal teams are actively reviewing Signal’s security vulnerabilities to prevent future incidents.
Waltz’s Criticism of *The Atlantic*
In addition to accepting accountability, Waltz criticized Goldberg and *The Atlantic*, accusing them of sensationalizing the story and undermining national security efforts. During his Fox News interview, Waltz described Goldberg as “the bottom scum of journalists” and dismissed *The Atlantic* as a publication lacking credibility.
Fallout and Broader Implications
The Signal leak has reignited debates over cybersecurity within government operations, particularly regarding the use of encrypted messaging platforms like Signal for sensitive communications. Trump has tasked Waltz with investigating whether hackers could infiltrate such discussions, emphasizing the need for secure alternatives if vulnerabilities are confirmed.
Critics argue that relying on apps commonly used by journalists and civilians poses inherent risks, especially when discussing classified information. Democratic lawmakers have called for stricter protocols and questioned why more secure government communication systems were not utilized for such high-stakes deliberations.
Broader Security Concerns
Despite these concerns, Trump defended his administration’s handling of national security matters overall. He highlighted recent successful military operations against Houthi rebels as evidence of progress under his leadership. “Our national security is stronger than it has ever been,” Trump said during Monday’s meeting.
A Divided Reaction
The incident has drawn mixed reactions from political analysts and security experts. Supporters of Trump argue that technological glitches are inevitable in modern warfare planning and praise Waltz for taking swift responsibility. Opponents, however, view the episode as emblematic of broader lapses in judgment within the administration.
Goldberg himself described his accidental inclusion in the Signal chat as unprecedented, noting that he initially suspected it might be a prank.
