Pete Hegseth, serving as the U.S. Defense Secretary, has voiced strong criticism against Jeffrey Goldberg, who is the editor of The Atlantic. This came after Goldberg alleged that a White House official unintentionally shared sensitive war plans with him. Hegseth called these claims untrue, describing Goldberg as someone who "spreads nonsense."
"Nobody was sending war plans through texts, and that's all I'll say on the matter," Hegseth remarked when he reached Hawaii on Monday.
Despite Hegseth's denial, the National Security Council (NSC) admitted that the leaked messages seemed genuine.
Details of the Alleged Leak and Goldberg’s Account
In an article published on Monday, Goldberg explained that on March 11, he received a "connection request" via Signal, an encrypted messaging app, from Mike Waltz, a national security adviser from the White House. Goldberg thought the request was to discuss significant issues like the situations in Ukraine or Iran, so he accepted it.
According to Goldberg, a group chat involving Vice President J.D. Vance, Hegseth, and Waltz discussed potential military action against the Houthis in Yemen. Goldberg further alleged that Hegseth disclosed operational details, such as possible target locations, the types of weapons to be used, and the sequence of attacks.
Hegseth’s Direct Response
Hegseth was unreserved in his criticism of Goldberg, calling him a journalist known for spreading misleading stories. Hegseth referenced past reports by Goldberg about "Russia stories," Trump's comments that were misinterpreted, and the "suckers and losers" story, which were later called into question.
"This is the guy spreading nonsense. It's what he does," Hegseth told reporters.
Reactions from the White House and Congress
While Hegseth disputed Goldberg’s claims, the NSC initiated an internal review to examine how someone unintentional received the messages.
"We're investigating how an accidental number was added to the message chain. The dialogue itself shows thoughtful planning among senior officials. The successful operation against the Houthis indicates that there was no risk to our troops or national security," stated NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt emphasized that President Biden continues to have faith in Waltz and the overall national security team, despite the controversy.
However, Politico reported discussions within the White House about potentially removing Waltz from his position as national security adviser, with an anonymous insider stating, "You can't have carelessness in a national security adviser."
Responses from Congress
The situation has garnered attention from lawmakers across the political spectrum. Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker expressed concern and stated that the committee would investigate the matter collaboratively.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune insisted on the necessity for a comprehensive review to understand the situation fully. "It's clear we must find out what occurred," Thune asserted.
On the other hand, House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested a more lenient approach. "I think punishing those involved in the call would be a big mistake," Johnson pointed out. "They aimed to do a good job, and the mission was successfully completed."
This ongoing situation continues to raise important questions about the security of communications within the White House and the accuracy of media reports on sensitive national security matters.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.