Trump Dismisses Controversy Over Leaked Yemen Air Strike Discussion

WASHINGTON, 26 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – US President Donald Trump has downplayed growing concerns over a security lapse after a journalist was mistakenly included in a group chat discussing air strikes on Yemen. He insisted that no classified information was compromised and defended a senior aide at the centre of the controversy.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Trump stated he would “look into” the use of the Signal messaging app after his National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, inadvertently added The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a high-level discussion among national security officials.

As Democrats seized on the scandal—the first major controversy of Trump’s second term—the president attacked Goldberg as a “sleazebag” and dismissed the uproar, saying, “Nobody gives a damn” about the issue.

Goldberg claimed that the group chat, which included Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, contained details about air strike targets, weapon systems, and attack timing ahead of the 15 March military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Additionally, the leaked messages allegedly revealed blunt criticism from senior US officials towards European allies.

No Classified Information Shared, Says Trump

Addressing reporters, Trump insisted that the conversation contained no classified material, adding that Signal is commonly used within the government.

Waltz, facing scrutiny over the blunder, maintained that he had no prior communication with Goldberg and suggested the mistake occurred due to a saved contact mix-up. Speaking to Fox News, he accepted “full responsibility” but argued that no sensitive intelligence had been compromised.

“Have you ever had someone’s name appear with another person’s number?” Waltz said, speculating that a staffer may have inadvertently saved Goldberg’s contact details.

Trump later suggested in an interview with Newsmax that a lower-ranking staffer in Waltz’s team may have been responsible for adding the journalist to the chat.

Senate Committee Grills Intelligence Officials

The scandal has triggered a fierce backlash, with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe facing tough questioning during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

“There was no classified material that was shared,” Gabbard stated, echoing the administration’s defence. Ratcliffe, who confirmed he was part of the chat, maintained that the use of Signal was “entirely permissible and lawful.”

Hegseth, a former Fox News host with limited government experience, had previously insisted that “nobody was texting war plans.”

However, Democrats have demanded resignations. Senator Mark Warner condemned what he described as “sloppy, careless, incompetent behaviour,” while others expressed concern about the potential for adversaries to exploit security vulnerabilities.

The Atlantic’s revelations have reignited debate over the use of commercial messaging apps for sensitive government discussions. Reports suggest that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and the Middle East, was in Moscow meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin when he received the group chat messages.

Harsh Words for European Allies

Beyond the security breach, the leaked messages have drawn attention for their candid assessments of US allies.

Trump stood by comments allegedly made by Hegseth in the chat, in which European nations were criticised for “freeloading” on US military efforts.

“Yeah, I think they’ve been freeloading,” Trump told reporters. “The European Union has been absolutely terrible to us on trade.”

The chat also revealed Vice President JD Vance’s scepticism over the Yemen strikes, as he reportedly argued against US intervention, stating, “I just hate bailing Europe out again.”

Hegseth allegedly responded: “I fully share your loathing of European freeloading. It’s PATHETIC.”

The controversy unfolds amid continued Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which have disrupted global shipping routes. The Iran-backed Houthis, who control significant territory in Yemen, claim their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Despite the administration’s efforts to dismiss the issue, the episode raises fresh questions about national security practices and internal coordination within the White House.