The leak of a military chat group reveals Vice-President JD Vance's reservations about escalating a strike on Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, emphasizing potential European interests over American ones.
Leak Reveals Tensions Among Trump's Top Military Officials Over Yemen Attack
Leak Reveals Tensions Among Trump's Top Military Officials Over Yemen Attack
A recent leaked conversation exposes internal disagreements and security concerns among high-level Trump administration officials regarding military action in Yemen.
The political landscape in Washington DC is grappling with the implications of a significant security breach involving the Trump administration, following the revelation that journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was added to a Signal messaging group that included key figures such as Vice-President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The discussion was centered on potential military action against the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen, with details of classified strike plans shared with Goldberg just hours before their execution.
Goldberg highlighted several critical insights from within the chat group. Vance expressed concerns about the strategy, stating, "I think we are making a mistake," suggesting that the military strike primarily benefits European allies, a point he noted might not align with Trump's anti-European stance. He cautioned that the action could result in heightened oil prices and argued for a month-long delay before engaging in any military action.
Moreover, Vance shared his frustration, illustrating a division within Trump's circle. He articulated a reluctance to "bail Europe out again," echoing thoughts of free-loading European allies. Hegseth agreed, highlighting a shared disdain for Europe relying on American military support without reciprocation. A group member known only as "SM" emphasized that the US should secure economic gains from Europe as compensation for any military interventions.
In the wake of the strike, chat members conveyed their sentiments through emojis that ranged from fists and flags to prayer emojis, indicating a mix of triumph and solemnity. Vance, amid concerns about public perception regarding the US's actions in relation to Europe, received support from the Defense Secretary, who acknowledged Vance’s worries while navigating the sensitive terrain of messaging surrounding the strike.
The circumstances surrounding the leak have intensified scrutiny on National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, with growing calls from Congressional Democrats for an inquiry into the communications disclosed. Trump, when questioned about the matter, claimed ignorance but affirmed his support for Waltz. Meanwhile, the Secretary of Defence minimized the breach's significance, asserting that "nobody was texting war plans" during the discussions.
