Donald Trump refused to condemn his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, after the politician admitted “full responsibility” for the blunder which led to leaked messages about US security
Arrogant Donald Trump blithely called the US security breach “the only glitch in two months” of his administration.
The US President jumped to the defence of his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, after the politician let slip he was responsible for the leaked messages. Mr Waltz, who Mr Trump appointed to the role for his second presidency, had said: “We made a mistake. We’re moving forward.”
He said he took “full responsibility” after Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic magazine editor-in-chief, was added to a group chat on communication app Signal, which consisted of 18 senior members of Mr Trump’s administration. Mr Trump initially said he was unaware of the saga but, on Tuesday, acknowledged it – and praised his colleague.
The world leader even had the gall to claim the debacle is his administration’s “only glitch” since he took power again in January. This is despite bitter meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky this month. Mr Trump axed a planned joint press conference and turfed out his counterpart in a petulant move at the White House.
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And Mr Trump, 78, was also blasted after making racist jibes about Democrat politicians in February. Among other unhinged moments so far, the politician also sparked controversy by pardoning violent thugs for their roles in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. These yobs gathered to chant in Mr Trump’s support at a right-wing conference at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbour, Maryland last month.
Speaking after the leaked messages, Mr Trump said the security breach was “not a serious one”. Hea dded that Mr Waltz had “learned a lesson” and “he’s a good man”. He then amplified a social media posting from Elon Musk spotlighting a conservative satirical news site article with the cutting headline: “4D Chess: Genius Trump Leaks War Plans to `The Atlantic’ Where No One Will Ever See Them.”
Government officials have used Signal for organizational correspondence, but it is not classified and can be hacked. Privacy and tech experts say the popular end-to-end encrypted messaging and voice call app is more secure than conventional texting.
Just two hours after Goldberg received the details of the attack on March 15, the US began launching a series of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The National Security Council said in a statement that it was looking into how a journalist’s number was added to the chain in the Signal group chat. In addition to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, it included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s director of national intelligence.
