Signal leak scandal exposes rift in Trump's cabinet as key player could lose job after 'stupidity'
Washington D.C.: A secret Signal chat involving Vice President JD Vance and members of President Donald Trump’s national security team revealed internal disagreements over a proposed military strike in Yemen, according to a report by The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. The chat accidentally included Goldberg exposed Vance’s reservations about the operation, which Trump ultimately approved.
Vance’s concerns over timing and messaging
In the chat, a user identified as 'JD Vance' expressed skepticism about the strike, arguing that the public might not understand its necessity. “I think we are making a mistake,” Vance wrote, citing concerns over potential economic fallout, including a spike in oil prices. He also questioned the consistency of the operation with Trump’s broader foreign policy stance, particularly regarding Europe.
Despite his reservations, Vance stated he would support the team’s consensus but suggested delaying the strike to better prepare the public and assess economic risks. His communications director, William Martin, later clarified that Vance fully backed Trump’s decision but wanted to ensure the president was properly briefed.
National security team pushes for Action
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged Vance’s concerns but urged immediate action, writing, “We are prepared to execute.” National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized the need to act while shifting costs to European allies—a point Vance sarcastically echoed, saying, “I just hate bailing Europe out again.” Steve Miller, a Trump advisor, reinforced the president’s directive to proceed while securing concessions from Egypt and Europe.
Political fallout and criticism
The leak sparked backlash, particularly from Democrats. Hillary Clinton mocked the administration, referencing Trump’s past attacks on her for using a private email server. Senators Andy Kim and Ruben Gallego called for Hegseth’s resignation, citing operational details shared in the chat as reckless. Goldberg withheld some of Hegseth’s messages, fearing they could endanger US troops.
Meanwhile, Waltz faced an internal scrutiny for inadvertently adding Goldberg to the chat. Politico reported that White House officials labeled him a “f***ing idiot,” with some suggesting his job was at risk.
Trump’s response
Trump, who ordered the successful strikes from Mar-a-Lago, dismissed The Atlantic’s report, claiming ignorance and criticizing the magazine.