Trump Dismisses Controversy over Leaked Signal Chat on Yemen Strikes

Wednesday 26 March 2025 - 08:41

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump Dismisses Controversy over Leaked Signal Chat on Yemen Strikes

The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump has faced scrutiny following a report in The Atlantic, which revealed that journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was added to a Signal group chat where high-ranking officials discussed potential military actions in Yemen.

Despite growing concerns about security breaches, Trump downplayed the incident, insisting no classified information was exposed. “There was no classified material, as I understand it,” he stated, dismissing the situation as an overblown issue. He declined to impose penalties or restrict the use of Signal.

Goldberg reported that he was invited to the chat by National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, where he witnessed discussions involving Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The officials reportedly debated the timing of the strikes and the potential for economic leverage over Europe in exchange for U.S. military actions. The report raised alarms in Washington, prompting a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing where CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard denied sharing classified information.

Democratic senators, however, condemned the lack of security measures, calling the chat reckless. Senator Mark Warner emphasized that such discussions on an unsecured platform posed national security risks. Trump, meanwhile, deflected blame, criticizing The Atlantic and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, whom he accused of sensationalizing the story.

Additionally, the leaked messages revealed debates over the economic impact of the bombings, with Vance and Hegseth expressing frustration over Europe’s perceived reliance on U.S. military intervention. Trump later echoed these sentiments, reiterating his stance on imposing tariffs and questioning Europe’s trade policies.

Despite the controversy, the Trump administration maintained that no state secrets were compromised, and the debate over the Yemen strikes has further fueled tensions between the U.S. and its European allies.