Leaked messages reveal that U.S. officials celebrated a Yemeni airstrike that killed at least 13 civilians, with Vice President J.D. Vance calling the destruction of a building housing a purported Houthi target “excellent.” National Security Advisor Michael Waltz described the strike as “amazing,” while CIA Director John Ratcliffe called it “a good start.” Critics, including Rep. Maxwell Frost, have condemned these actions as a war crime, highlighting the violation of international law prohibiting the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. The U.S. conducted numerous strikes in Yemen around the same time, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
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A recent YouGov poll reveals that a significant majority of Americans (74 percent) view the leak of a Signal chat detailing a Trump administration’s Yemen airstrike plan as a serious issue, surpassing concern over Hillary Clinton’s private email server. The Signal chat, published by *The Atlantic*, allegedly included classified information shared by officials on an unsecure platform, prompting comparisons to Clinton’s email controversy. This incident has sparked criticism and potential legal ramifications under the Espionage Act, leading to a lawsuit filed by American Oversight. Reactions from involved officials ranged from denials to accusations of a “witch hunt.”
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Following The Atlantic’s publication of Signal group chat messages among national security officials, President Trump dismissed concerns, asserting the messages contained no compromising details and did not affect the successful Yemen attack. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz also responded, taking responsibility for the group’s creation but refuting the President’s suggestion of staffer involvement in leaking the messages. The released chat logs included a detailed timeline of the airstrike provided by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, contradicting previous administration claims. The Atlantic published the messages to allow the public to draw its own conclusions regarding the administration’s denials.
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The Atlantic published a Signal chat revealing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared precise timelines of a Yemen airstrike, including launch times and bomb detonation, before U.S. personnel were airborne. This disclosure prompted an investigation request from senators concerned about the use of an unapproved app for classified information, despite White House claims no classified data was shared. The chat notably excluded the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, raising questions about protocol and operational security. Hegseth maintains he only provided a “general update,” while critics argue his actions jeopardized U.S. forces.
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A major security breach occurred when a journalist was accidentally added to a group chat discussing sensitive war plans, including a planned airstrike in Yemen. This involved high-ranking officials from the Trump administration, including the Vice President and Secretary of State. Pete Buttigieg criticized the administration’s response, highlighting the incident’s stark contrast to their claims of prioritizing competence and merit in hiring practices. Buttigieg, a former intelligence officer, emphasized the severity of the breach and its potential consequences. He argued the lack of serious repercussions would expose the administration’s claims of meritocracy as disingenuous.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vehemently denied leaking U.S. airstrike plans on Yemen via a group chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, despite presented screenshots proving otherwise. Hegseth dismissed the report as a hoax perpetuated by a discredited journalist, while President Trump similarly denied knowledge of the incident and criticized The Atlantic. The leaked messages, however, reportedly detailed the attack minute-by-minute. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz’s future employment may be jeopardized due to his involvement in the group chat.
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John Q. Hosedrinker