President Trump stated that no classified information was included in a group chat involving top officials, amidst concerns over a security breach. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will not be held accountable, as investigations continue into the mishap. Intelligence directors confirmed that unclassified discussions occurred regarding operations in Yemen, with Democratic lawmakers demanding transparency. The White House defended its recent actions against Houthi forces.
President Donald Trump asserted that the alleged security breach involving senior officials in a group chat did not involve classified information. He mentioned that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who reportedly initiated the chat, would not face repercussions for the incident.
According to The Atlantic magazine, specifics concerning planned operations against Houthi forces in Yemen were mistakenly shared in a group chat on the Signal messaging platform, which included the Atlantic’s editor-in-chief. The shared posts reportedly detailed targets, weaponry, and operational strategies.
Trump addressed reporters, stating, “There was no classified information, as I understand it,” regarding the discussion. He praised Waltz, asserting, “He is a very good man, and he will continue to do a good job.”
Waltz indicated that technical and legal experts would investigate how the Atlantic’s editor-in-chief became part of the chat. He specified that he had neither met nor interacted with this individual.
During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard confirmed that while the chat contained general discussions about Yemeni targets, there was no sharing of classified materials. CIA Director John Ratcliffe verified that the Signal app is authorized for work-related communications and reiterated that the Secretary of Defense had confirmed the information was unclassified.
Democratic lawmakers emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that information discussed in the hearing should be disclosed if deemed unclassified. Their inquiries into the Trump administration’s handling of the situation are anticipated to persist.
A White House statement on Tuesday highlighted the success of the operation against Houthi forces while condemning what it described as a coordinated effort by “the Democrats and their media allies” to undermine the administration’s achievements. The statement asserted, “This is a coordinated effort to distract from the successful actions taken by President Trump and his administration to make America’s enemies pay and keep Americans safe.”
In conclusion, President Trump maintains that the purported security breach involving a group chat among administration officials did not involve classified information. Both National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Director Gabbard supported this assertion, with the CIA director affirming the app’s legality for communication. The ongoing discussions in Congress reflect the tension between Democratic lawmakers and the Trump administration regarding the issue, underscoring the complexities surrounding national security communications.
Original Source: www3.nhk.or.jp
