Here’s what the GOP had to say.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) firmly rejected calls for disciplinary action Monday against National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following reports that operational details regarding recent U.S. military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels were mistakenly leaked in a text chat.
The controversy unfolded when sensitive operational details about the strikes were inadvertently shared on the encrypted messaging app Signal. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the liberal-leaning publication The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to the group chat titled “Houthi PC small group” by Mike Waltz. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly posted critical operational information shortly before the strikes.
Speaker Johnson Defends Waltz and Hegseth Amid Media Criticism
Asked by reporters at The Hill if either official would face disciplinary measures, Speaker Johnson promptly dismissed the idea:
“No, no, of course not. The administration is addressing what happened. Apparently, an inadvertent phone number made it onto that thread. They’re gonna track that down and make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
When pressed on the appropriateness of discussing sensitive military operations via a messaging app, Johnson emphasized the administration’s quick response, declining further criticism:
“Clearly, the administration has acknowledged it was a mistake, and they’ll tighten up and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Trump Administration Reaffirms Confidence in National Security Team
President Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, reaffirmed the president’s full confidence in his national security advisers:
“As President Trump said, the attacks on the Houthis have been highly successful and effective. President Trump continues to have the utmost confidence in his national security team, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.”
Senior Conservatives Stress Yemen Mission’s Success Despite Leak
Despite media uproar from left-wing publications like The Atlantic, conservative leadership in Congress and the administration have highlighted the strategic success and operational precision of the military strikes.
Speaker Johnson underscored this successful outcome in a statement to reporters at the Capitol:
“What we witnessed was senior officials diligently performing their duties and carrying out the operation with exceptional precision. The mission succeeded without compromising anyone’s safety, and we’re thankful for that outcome.”
Trump Shrugs Off Atlantic’s Report, Criticizes Magazine’s Credibility
President Trump himself appeared unbothered by the leaked information and openly criticized the credibility of The Atlantic:
“I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of The Atlantic; to me it’s a magazine that is going out of business.”
When asked about the supposed leak involving sensitive details on Signal, Trump dismissed the significance, emphasizing the operation’s success:
“Well, it couldn’t have been very effective [as a leak], because the attack was very effective, I can tell you that.”
National Security Council Reviews Incident, Highlights Administration’s Transparency
Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the National Security Council, confirmed the authenticity of the text messages and stated:
“This message chain seems legitimate, and we are currently examining how an unintended recipient was included. The continued success of the Houthi operation clearly shows that there were no risks posed to our troops or national security.”
Key Facts about the Yemen Operation Leak:
- Date of Incident: March 11-15
- Messaging App Involved: Signal (encrypted messaging service)
- Officials Involved: Mike Waltz, Pete Hegseth, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe
- Sensitive Information Leaked: Operational details on planned military strikes against Yemeni Houthi rebels
- Immediate Action: Trump Administration reviewing protocols to prevent recurrence
- Outcome: Operation successfully executed with no reported harm to U.S. military personnel or national security
Conservatives Urge Focus on National Security, Not Media Sensationalism
Republican leaders continue to advocate for a focus on the successes achieved by President Trump’s decisive military actions, criticizing what they see as liberal media attempts to manufacture controversy.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Trump administration strengthens measures to secure critical information.
