Washington is reeling from a leaked chat involving Vice-President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, detailing military plans against Iran-backed Houthis. Vance's concerns about European interests highlight ongoing tensions over US financial commitments to NATO allies.
Leaked Chat Revelations: US Military Plans and European Defence Concerns
Leaked Chat Revelations: US Military Plans and European Defence Concerns
A recent Signal app chat leak exposes controversial military discussions among top Trump administration officials regarding US action in Yemen.
Article text:
In a shocking revelation, a leaked group chat on the Signal app from top members of the Trump administration has raised eyebrows over US military strategies and financial obligations towards European allies. According to Jeffrey Goldberg from the Atlantic magazine, he was added to a messaging group that included Vice-President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, where sensitive discussions about military actions against the Houthi group in Yemen were taking place.
Goldberg described how he was privy to classified details of the proposed strikes, including crucial information about timing and weapons packages, just hours before the US airstrikes were executed. One key takeaway from the chat was Vance’s remarks, indicating his belief that targeting Houthi forces primarily serves European interests at the expense of American involvement. “I think we are making a mistake,” Vance reportedly said, expressing concern that action in Yemen could inadvertently strengthen European reliance on the US for defence.
Additionally, Vance cautioned that military strikes could potentially lead to spikes in oil prices, indicating a connectedness between regional instability and global economic impacts. His stance seemed at odds with Trump’s posturing towards European allies, underscoring an internal conflict within the administration regarding military spending and foreign policy.
The chat also revealed camaraderie among members expressing disdain towards what they described as "European free-loading." Hegseth echoed this sentiment, calling it "PATHETIC," as they discussed the US's role and costs associated with protecting maritime navigation, with one user advocating that the US should demand compensation from Europe following military actions.
Emojis punctuated reactions from chat members after the strike, indicating a mix of support and prayer among senior officials. Vance was noted to have explicitly offered prayers for victory, showing a blend of serious intent and light-hearted camaraderie.
Crucially, the discussions reflect ongoing tensions as officials sought to control narratives around the strikes, with an apparent inclination to assign blame to President Biden for perceived failures regarding Iran. The national security adviser, Waltz, defended the integrity of their dialogue, asserting that no operational plans were leaked and denying any breach of security protocols.
As the fallout from the leak continues, member Waltz finds himself under increased scrutiny, with calls from congressional Democrats for a thorough investigation into the chat’s contents and implications. When approached by reporters, Trump distanced himself from the controversy but affirmed his support for Waltz amid the emerging chaos.
With the implications of this breach yet to fully unfold, it has undoubtedly put the Trump administration’s foreign policy strategies under closer examination and reignited debates about US commitments to European security initiatives.
In a shocking revelation, a leaked group chat on the Signal app from top members of the Trump administration has raised eyebrows over US military strategies and financial obligations towards European allies. According to Jeffrey Goldberg from the Atlantic magazine, he was added to a messaging group that included Vice-President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, where sensitive discussions about military actions against the Houthi group in Yemen were taking place.
Goldberg described how he was privy to classified details of the proposed strikes, including crucial information about timing and weapons packages, just hours before the US airstrikes were executed. One key takeaway from the chat was Vance’s remarks, indicating his belief that targeting Houthi forces primarily serves European interests at the expense of American involvement. “I think we are making a mistake,” Vance reportedly said, expressing concern that action in Yemen could inadvertently strengthen European reliance on the US for defence.
Additionally, Vance cautioned that military strikes could potentially lead to spikes in oil prices, indicating a connectedness between regional instability and global economic impacts. His stance seemed at odds with Trump’s posturing towards European allies, underscoring an internal conflict within the administration regarding military spending and foreign policy.
The chat also revealed camaraderie among members expressing disdain towards what they described as "European free-loading." Hegseth echoed this sentiment, calling it "PATHETIC," as they discussed the US's role and costs associated with protecting maritime navigation, with one user advocating that the US should demand compensation from Europe following military actions.
Emojis punctuated reactions from chat members after the strike, indicating a mix of support and prayer among senior officials. Vance was noted to have explicitly offered prayers for victory, showing a blend of serious intent and light-hearted camaraderie.
Crucially, the discussions reflect ongoing tensions as officials sought to control narratives around the strikes, with an apparent inclination to assign blame to President Biden for perceived failures regarding Iran. The national security adviser, Waltz, defended the integrity of their dialogue, asserting that no operational plans were leaked and denying any breach of security protocols.
As the fallout from the leak continues, member Waltz finds himself under increased scrutiny, with calls from congressional Democrats for a thorough investigation into the chat’s contents and implications. When approached by reporters, Trump distanced himself from the controversy but affirmed his support for Waltz amid the emerging chaos.
With the implications of this breach yet to fully unfold, it has undoubtedly put the Trump administration’s foreign policy strategies under closer examination and reignited debates about US commitments to European security initiatives.
