National Security Advisor Mike Waltz attacked the media on Tuesday, the day after it was revealed the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic was inadvertently leaked forthcoming plans for airstrikes in Yemen.
Jeffrey Goldberg published a bombshell report explaining that Waltz requested to connect with him on Signal, an encrypted messaging app. Two days later, Goldberg was added to a group chat with more than a dozen security officials, who discussed potential strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, which were eventually carried out. He explained that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth provided key details about the upcoming attack.
“I will not quote from this update, or from certain other subsequent texts,” Goldberg wrote. “What I will say, in order to illustrate the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation, is that the Hegseth post contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing.”
Hours after the report, speculation abounded at the White House over Waltz’s future. The next day, he appeared alongside President Donald Trump and other officials, taking questions from reporters.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked, “Mr. President, are you gonna change any of the practices that your national security officials used after a reporter was inadvertently added to a group chat about attacks on Yemen?”
“Well, I think it’s a question I’ve been asked now, and I’ve given a few answers, and they’ve all been the same,” Trump replied. “We have an amazing group, our national security now is stronger than it’s ever been. We have had a very, very successful, numerous attacks on that area. These are people that shoot down ships, not only our ships, ships all over the world.”
The president wrapped up his answer before punting to Waltz.
“Mike is here,” he said. “Do you want to respond to that, please?”
Waltz responded by lashing out at the media and claiming ignorance as to how Goldberg was given access to the group chat.
Yes. Mr. President. You asked about lessons. I think there’s a lot of– the lessons. There’s a lot of journalists in this city who have made big names for themselves, making up lies about this president, whether it’s the Russia hoax or making up lies about Gold Star families. And this one in particular, I’ve never met, don’t know, never communicated with, and we are and we are looking into and reviewing how the heck he got into this room.
But I’ll tell you what, the world owes President Trump a favor. Under Biden, global shipping was shut down. Pinprick attacks, months between them, our destroyers being fired upon dozens of times. President Trump took decisive action with his national security team, took out the head missileer, knocked out missiles, knocked out headquarters, knocked out communication sites. And for once, as we hear, as you all hear from every one of our allies, thank God for American leadership again, thank God for American strength. You’re welcome [CLAPPING].
And look, we had a national security team that was coordinating these efforts. As Director Ratcliffe testified today, his first day on the job, he was introduced to this app on his government systems at the CIA and at the State Department and otherwise. So, look, this journalist, Mr. President, wants the world talking about more hoaxes and this kind of nonsense rather than the freedom that you’re enabling. And a key part of our sovereignty is open sea lanes and knocking the crap out of terrorists, which is exactly what your team and Pete Hegseth, a good friend and fellow veteran, is leading the charge on. And it’s an honor to be a part of it.
Waltz’s response to the leak echoed that of Hegseth, who on Monday also ripped the press.
“So, you’re talking about a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist who’s made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again,” he told a reporter.
Watch above via CNN.
The post Trump’s NatSec Advisor Seethes About Journalists ‘Making Up Lies’ in Bizarre Attempt to Spin Stunning Leak of War Plans first appeared on Mediaite.
