Hegseth Denies Only Discussing War Plans Amid Signal Chat Controversy
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied discussing sensitive war plans in a Signal chat that inadvertently included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. Following an Atlantic report revealing operational discussions regarding Yemen airstrikes, Hegseth criticized Goldberg’s credibility. The National Security Council is reviewing the incident, with Waltz’s job potentially at stake due to oversight in handling the chat group.
In the wake of the Yemen strike group text scandal, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that no sensitive war plans were being shared in a chat group that mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. Hegseth stated, “Nobody was texting war plans and that’s all I have to say about that,” during a press conference in Hawaii.
The controversy surfaced following a report in The Atlantic, which revealed that Goldberg was part of a Signal chat group alongside Trump administration officials, including Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and national security adviser Mike Waltz. Discussions concerning airstrikes against Houthi terrorists were found to be taking place in this group prior to the actual strikes on March 15, which raised serious national security concerns.
Goldberg’s inclusion in the chat occurred on March 11. White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes acknowledged that the messages mentioned in Goldberg’s report appear to be authentic, and the NSC is analyzing how he was mistakenly added to the conversation.
Hegseth criticized Goldberg as a “deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist” and defended the integrity of the discussions occurring within the Signal group. He emphasized that it was inappropriate for Goldberg to report on the incident, citing a history of controversial and unsubstantiated claims from the journalist regarding Trump’s past activities.
Goldberg noted that he was invited to the chat, named “Houthi PC small group,” a mere two days after initiating contact with Waltz on the platform. Reports suggest that Waltz’s job may be jeopardized as discussions swirl regarding the recklessness displayed during this incident. Critics have pointed out the failure to verify chat participants and the choice of platform for sensitive discussions.
The National Security Council has ongoing discussions about Waltz’s future, and some insiders believe he may not remain in his position as national security adviser. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated President Trump’s confidence in his security team, specifically mentioning Mike Waltz. The White House has not yet provided further comments regarding the situation.
The incident involving the Signal chat group highlights significant lapses in national security protocol, particularly concerning sensitive discussions being held inappropriately. While Hegseth insists that no war plans were shared, the inclusion of a journalist raises questions regarding operational confidentiality. The future of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz remains uncertain as the administration assesses the repercussions of this oversight.
Original Source: nypost.com
