Trump Administration Faces Fallout from Yemen Strikes Leak Incident

WASHINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) – The Trump administration is grappling with the fallout from a security breach that exposed sensitive military planning after a journalist was inadvertently included in a confidential group chat discussing strikes against Yemen. The incident has prompted calls for the resignations of top officials and raised serious concerns among lawmakers regarding operational security.

During testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe maintained that no classified information was shared on the encrypted messaging app Signal. However, skepticism ensued from Democratic senators who pointed out that the journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, reported operational details about potential strikes against Iran-aligned Houthis, including target information and weaponry to be deployed.

Senator Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, expressed incredulity at the claim that such sensitive information could be shared without classification. “It’s hard for me to believe that targets and timing and weapons would not have been classified,” King said during the hearing. This revelation caught the attention of national security experts and led to demands for a thorough investigation into what many have labeled a significant security breach.

“I believe there ought to be resignations, starting with the national security adviser and the secretary of defense,” declared Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon at the hearing.

Goldberg’s inclusion in the chat has incited further inquiry, as several committee members highlighted the serious ramifications of potentially leaking operational details. Representative Don Bacon, a retired Air Force general, reiterated the need for accountability, emphasizing that the apparent breach could endanger lives.

The President, however, defended his national security team, particularly advisor Michael Waltz, who mistakenly added Goldberg to the chat. Trump described the situation as a “glitch” and noted that Waltz had “learned a lesson,” but maintained that the administration would examine its use of Signal for sensitive communications moving forward.

Kash Patel, the FBI Director, who was not part of the group chat, is expected to face questions about the breach from lawmakers during Wednesday’s House briefing on global threats.

Meanwhile, the National Security Council is conducting an inquiry into the incident, which has raised questions regarding the appropriateness of commercial apps for government communications. Critics point out that classified information is not supposed to be communicated through commercial platforms such as Signal.

Rocky Cole, a cybersecurity expert, commented on the risks associated with discussing sensitive information over mobile devices, emphasizing that if a device is compromised, all communications could be vulnerable. “If the phone itself isn’t secure, all the Signal messages on that device can be read,” Cole stated.

During the committee’s hearing, Gabbard declined to elaborate on her participation in the Signal chat and emphasized that the matter is under review by the National Security Council. The complexity and implications of this situation continue to unfold, as Democratic lawmakers indicate deeper scrutiny of national security policies and practices.

The discord surrounding the Signal chat incident reveals underlying tensions within the administration regarding its approach to national security. As further deliberations and inquiries continue, the potential for administrative changes looms as key officials navigate the repercussions of this breach.