Trump stands by Mike Waltz after national security breach
- A significant security breach occurred when a journalist was accidentally added to a military planning group chat on Signal.
- Democrats criticized Mike Waltz and called for his resignation, describing the incident as a serious national security failure.
- Trump backed Waltz, claiming no classified information was shared and labeling the incident a minor glitch.
In the United States, President Donald Trump maintained his support for National Security Advisor Mike Waltz following a significant security breach involving a group chat on the messaging app Signal. The breach occurred when Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added to a high-level discussion among top national security officials, where sensitive military operation plans regarding bombing strikes against the Houthis in Yemen were being shared. The incident prompted widespread criticism and calls for Waltz's resignation from various political figures, particularly from Democrats in the House Armed Services Committee, who deemed it a severe lapse in national security protocols. Trump's defense of Waltz emphasized that the situation was merely a glitch, asserting that no classified information was disseminated and that the military operation proceeded effectively, resulting in successful strikes against terrorist targets. Despite the internal and public pressure following the breach, aides suggested that Waltz's position was safe, highlighting that the fallout would likely dissipate as past controversies have done. The incident raised questions regarding the appropriateness of using unsecured messaging apps for discussing sensitive military operations and prompted the White House to investigate how Goldberg's contact information was mistakenly included in the chat. Trump and Waltz reportedly discussed the breach, during which Trump reassured Waltz that he remains a valuable member of the team and has learned from the experience, reinforcing the administration's commitment to maintaining operational security in future communications.