Trump Stands by Waltz After Leaked Signal Chat Sparks Chaos in D.C. and Europe
President Trump is backing his National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, after a major messaging mishap sent shockwaves through Washington and European capitals.
The drama started when Waltz allegedly added a journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to a private Signal chat where top White House officials were discussing sensitive military plans. Goldberg later revealed that he had access to high-level conversations, including talk of a planned U.S. strike on Houthi forces in Yemen before it actually happened.
Despite the uproar, Trump downplayed the leak, calling Waltz a “good man” who had simply made a mistake. Instead, he blamed a staffer for the mix-up.
Security experts and Democratic lawmakers weren’t so forgiving. One senator called it “one of the worst failures of operational security and common sense I’ve ever seen.” Some warned that using a commercial messaging app like Signal for classified discussions could have legal consequences and make U.S. allies hesitant to share intelligence.
Meanwhile, the leaked messages also exposed Vice President JD Vance’s frustration with Europe. He reportedly complained about European nations “freeloading” off the U.S., adding to concerns about a growing rift between Washington and its allies. Some European leaders are now rethinking their reliance on U.S. weapons and even discussing boosting their own nuclear deterrence.
As the fallout continues, Republican leaders have mostly stayed quiet, with House Speaker Mike Johnson suggesting those involved shouldn’t face punishment. However, a few within the party warned that incidents like this could put American troops in danger.
This latest controversy raises fresh concerns about the Trump administration’s heavy use of encrypted apps like Signal, which critics say could pose both national security and transparency risks.
Senate Demands Answers: Signal Chat Blunder Puts Intelligence Chiefs in the Hot Seat
