Perhaps Mike Waltz should have stuck to beach and sewer issues in Flagler County and the rest of the 6th Congressional District.
The former congressman Donald Trump tapped as his national security adviser is at the center of the gravest scandal facing an administration embroiled in controversies since its first day, 64 days ago. Waltz may have violated provisions of the Espionage Act that control national defense information, according to the journalist to whom the information was leaked.
Mark Warner, vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, characterized the breach as “sloppy, careless, incompetent behavior.” John Thune, the Senate majority leader, called it an “error in judgment,” putting it on the White House to “figure out now how to ensure that something like this never happens again.”
Waltz as a member of Congress rarely made a pubic appearance without touting his Bronze Star-decorated Green Beret. Between March 11 and March 15, he included a journalist in an encrypted group chat that disclosed classified attack plans against Yemen’s Houthis hours before U.S. troops launched them. The disclosure was reminiscent of Trump’s carelessness with classified documents, for which he was indicted on 40 felony counts before the case was dropped when he was elected last November.
“The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. eastern time on March 15 that the United States was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen,” the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg wrote on Monday. “I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming. The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m. The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing.”
Goldberg has been the editor in chief of the Atlantic since 2015. He frequently writes on Middle East issues. On March 11, Waltz sent him an invitation to join his group chat on Signal, two days later specifying that he would be included in the “Houthi PC small group.” Goldberg suspected it could be a hoax. It was not. The White House confirmed that the leaked information was accurate. Brian Hughes, the spokesman for the National Security Council, also confirmed to Goldberg the veracity of the Signal group.
The chat included Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President J.D. Vance, and Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, among the 18 participants in total. Most have been merciless in criticizing Democrats for allegedly mishandling information far less sensitive than any discussed in the Signal group.
“Team –,” Waltz texted on March 13, “establishing a principles [sic] group for coordination on Houthis, particularly for over the next 72 hours. My deputy Alex Wong is pulling together a tiger team at deputies/agency Chief of Staff level following up from the meeting in the Sit Room this morning for action items and will be sending that out later this evening.”
The message surprised Goldberg: “It should go without saying—but I’ll say it anyway—that I have never been invited to a White House principals-committee meeting,” he wrote, “and that, in my many years of reporting on national-security matters, I had never heard of one being convened over a commercial messaging app.” Goldberg remained on his guard, skeptical that any of it was authentic as the chat kept generating messages either directly from participants or from people claiming to be their representatives. The chatter had the ring of amateurs signaling their importance through torrents of acronyms.
Goldberg, consulting with colleagues considered the possibility that it was all part of a disinformation campaign–a common tactic among American intelligence agencies going back decades. “I had very strong doubts that this text group was real,” Goldberg wrote, “because I could not believe that the national-security leadership of the United States would communicate on Signal about imminent war plans. I also could not believe that the national security adviser to the president would be so reckless as to include the editor in chief of The Atlantic in such discussions with senior U.S. officials, up to and including the vice president.”
It got stranger from there as Waltz disclosed new developments and a policy discussion followed, including guarded words from the person identifying himself as Vance: “‘Team, I am out for the day doing an economic event in Michigan. But I think we are making a mistake.’ (Vance was indeed in Michigan that day.) The Vance account goes on to state, ‘3 percent of US trade runs through the suez. 40 percent of European trade does. There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary. The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message.'” He advised waiting a month to prevent an oil-price spike. Goldberg notes that it’s a rare window into Vance diverging from the president, if in private.
Hegseth doesn’t want to wait. “I think messaging is going to be tough no matter what,” the secretary of defense replied to Vance, “– nobody knows who the Houthis are – which is why we would need to stay focused on: 1) Biden failed & 2) Iran funded.” Vance conceded: “if you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again.” The two exchange derisive and sophomoric comments about European nations–Hegseth calls them “PATHETIC”–and boasting about American capabilities (“Mike is correct,” Vance wrote of Waltz, “we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this. Nobody else even close.”
On March 15, “Peter Hegseth” posted an update Goldberg refused to disclose in his article. “The information contained in them, if they had been read by an adversary of the United States, could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel,” 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.”
That was at 11:45 a.m. The attack came two hours later. Then it was Waltz’s turn to update, with “amazing job” and details Goldberg again refused to disclose. Waltz was then on the Sunday talk shows, boasting about the contrast between the Trump administration’s handling of Houthis and that of the Biden administration.
Waltz on Monday, before the leak was reported, was defending the administration’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants and echoing the administration’s attacks on the federal judiciary.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
No one should be judged by a single mistake made in an otherwise highly commendable career. Do I wish it hadn’t happened? Yes. Could it happen to anyone? Yes. What concerns me much more is that a magazine would prioritize a headline over national security. The text was accidental. The publishing of the story was intentional. No matter what, I wish Waltz was still our Congressman. The prospect of the repugnant Randy Fine as his replacement makes me nauseous.
Pogo says
@Just some facts
… and some truth.
As stated
https://www.google.com/search?q=mike+waltz
As stated
https://www.americanbridgepac.org/trumps-orbit/trumps-potential-administration-officials/mike-waltz/
The entire trump administration comes from the bottom of the hole under my granny’s childhood privy; they’re out of their depth whenever they take an oath to speak truthfully; take an oath to serve and defend anything but themselves. For God’s sake: the leader is a criminal, and the rest are his handpicked team.
Period.
The Riddler says
This is a nothing burger ! Move on ! Biden kept classified documents in an open garage so his crack head son Hunter could sell secrets for money !
Jim says
Is Waltz out of his depth? Is Hegseth? Is Gabbard? Is Vance? Those are four of the highest officials in the Trump administration and as far as I’m concerned, it’s the weakest team this country has had at the top in my memory. This is the “Peter Principle” at its’ finest. Unfortunately, along with a joke of a president, these represent the “finest people” and we are stuck with them until we suffer a terrible attack by our enemies (getting harder to identify them) or four long years pass, whichever comes first. And our president, in his usual way, “forgave” Waltz and said he’ll learn. I wonder who he’ll learn from. Maybe the ex-president hiding classified documents in his home toilet? And Trump said yesterday when asked by a reporter what he thought about this fiasco that he didn’t know anything about it (over two hours after the press got it). Makes me feel good about Trump that his people didn’t even think he needed to be made aware of it. I guess he was too busy viewing his portraits in state capitals to be bothered with this. Gabbard said today in a Senate hearing that “no classified information was shared” which just goes to show she doesn’t even know what classified information is.
We are all passengers on a train that is bound for a collision of monumental proportions. These people have no political or diplomatic skills (Hegseth and Vance hate Europe – glad they cleared that up) and can’t even manage a small military action on the Houthis – not known for their ability to forcefully counterstrike against the USA.
For all you MAGA’s out there, just tell me how you would have responded if this had been the Biden administration. Would you “forgive and forget”? No, you would not. You would scream at the incompetence and demand the termination of the responsible party – which appears to the our ex-Congressman Waltz. But you won’t say a word. This is Trumpland and no matter what misery and incompetence rains down on all of us, you just sit there and think it will all work out. And, sadly, if this had been the Biden administration, most Democrats and Liberals would be screaming for explanations and action. It’s just beyond sad that you can’t see that or admit it.
So let’s continue with this s—show.
BillC says
Who was the bigger idiot, Waltz or Hegseth?
Waltz was the one who included the reporter in the group chat. The preening peacock Hegseth boasts “We are currently clean on OPSEC.”
The whole bunch of them are totally FUBAR. And all these “accomplishments” in only 2 months!
Stop the madness… Vote for the democrat Josh Weil on April 1st to fill Waltz’s empty congressional seat.
Tony says
Further proof of the incompetence of this ministration. What else have they divulged to Putin and others? Time to demand resignations or fire all involved in this security breach.
Bob says
It does seem a rather dim-witted thing to do. Given his background, one would surely think he knew better.
atwp says
Would like to see him, musk, and Trump go to prison, for life. Trump is so crazy the insane asylum is good for him.
Willy Boy says
Here is the bottom line. Nothing is going to happen. It’s all about politics and connections. On the military side of the house, if any Armed Forces member did something similar, regardless of rank, they would be immediately court-martialled! Most of our countrymen have no clue how controlled classified material is supposed to be tightly handled. Top secret/sensitive information can only be discussed in a specially built room called a SCIF. Bottom line, these are Trump’s A Team, and nothing will happen despite public outrage. They are the untouchables!
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
Once again, Flagler sends only its dumbest assholes to DC in support of trump
Mothersworry says
Is anybody surprised that this happened? Folks elected an idiot, who then surrounded himself with his idea of the brightest and smartest minds. This is what you get, a damn circus. Next time do some research before you believe everything that trump says is factual.
Lancer says
The Houthis have been Iranian proxies for over a decade. The Houthis have received funding and training from Iran and have continued destroying their country in a brutal civil war. Iran loves creating and maintaining chao. This is why they support the Houthis and continue funding Hamas.
The US is supporting our allies in the region and attempting to disrupt, eliminate and limit Iranian influence. This is not a bad thing.
Once again, democrats and leftists are on the wrong side. Now, they’re choosing the Iranians.
This could’ve been handled better but, the intent and action can’t be criticized. Limiting Iran and supporting our allies is a GOOD thing. Perhaps, one day, leftists can put aside the petty, prepubescent emotions and garner some logic and reasoning.
Justbob says
Out of his depth? He shouldn’t have been in the pool in the first place.
David Schaefer says
Put the whole cabinet in prison where they belong dumb as rocks.
Deborah Coffey says
Yes, Mike Waltz is out of his depth. ALL of Trump’s picks are out of their depths. Trump is out of his depth. Almost the entire Republican House is out of its depth. A bit of the Republican Senate is way out of its depth. And, we can probably extrapolate from here to Republican voters that believe every promise and every lie they are told.
If you put a criminal in the White House, you get a lot of crimes! It’s not hard to understand.
Jim H. says
A quote from the front office, “There doesn’t have to be a process, as I understand it. … If you’re the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying it’s declassified. Even by thinking about it.”
PC, what do you think about it . . . ?
YankeeExPat says
……and today a “Florida Man”,………( insert criminality here )
Navy Vet. says
Where the hell is Jimboxyz ? Can’t wait to see how he blames this on Biden.
Tired of it says
To the Riddler:
President Biden asked the DOJ offiials to come and see what was in his garage. Turns out mostly old, unclassified documents. Pence did the same. trump on the other hand deliberately took current documents, store them improperly and lied about having them repeatedly. For all the talk about Hunter there was never an iota of proof he had anything to do with government documents, Thise are the facts.
tulip says
I watched the interview with the Atlantic reporter Goldberg. He got a text from Hegsety stating that at 1:45 our time, the attack would take place. Hegseth said that nobody texted anything yet they have the text. Bunch of liars and They are all sickening and cowardly people taking over this country so Trump can be it’s master dictator in a Putin Like Way. All during his campaign Trump said he was going too- eliminate a lot of government, get even and punish everyone who disagreed with him or were disloyal to him, was going to have tariffs which to us regular people it resembles a national sales tax that will hurt lower income people, the most and be inflationary. He said all this and more but the people voted him in anyway, along with his unqualified group of greedy mercenaries. Now we all have to live with it.
Thanks a lot. Hopefully some democrats will win in the next bunch of elections in order to be able to take away some Maggot power over how this country will be run, Four more years of his and Jd’s terror and lawsuits and grabbing at other countries to buy and keeping his wealthy friends happy and low taxes for the businesses they own, and what ever else the evil beast can think of to get what he wants.
tulip says
Thank God that Mr Goldberg kept the war information he learned to himself. Just imagine what would have happened if that information had gotten in to bad hands! A whole lot of good military and regular people would’ve been killed because the enemy found out the plans and killed them. Geesh, no one is safe anymore or anywhere.
Sherry says
@ keep flagler. . . . @ the riddler. . . Didn’t you two members of Maga’s “Brain Trust” see the interview with the Atlantic reporter? Oh, that’s right, it probably wasn’t on Fox. The reporter said that those in the trump administration who are claiming that no war plans were discussed on that on-line messaging session are flat out “LYING”. The Atlantic reporter did NOT publish those war plans because that person has the moral character to understand the information he received was “Secret” and probably classified.
Amazing that Maga Cult Members have no problem with calling this a “Nothingburger” . . . just like Fox tells them to. But, I’ll bet ya they were right there having a good ole Southern “Hissy Fit” for months on end over Hillary Clinton’s email server. Shoe’s on the other foot Maga! Who’s going to be “locked up” for this?
marlee says
Give me a break…..please…..
You guys who think this is normal and no big deal , need to inform your selves about the process for a Classified Clearance.
My husband practically lived in the SCIF’s.
Before he got his classified rating, the neighbors were interviewed to make sure he was OK for a classified clearance.
You KNOW when you have a Classified Clearance what to do to protect that information!
BIG Neighbor says
You would think stepping up to take ownership when mishaps occur is a good thing….nope. Try again, next! No, the fact is everyone on that group chat is bound by DoD policy to ensure all participants belong on that channel and the devices and services are appropriate for restricted or classified purposes with a need to know. Using off the shelf commercial apps requires stringent user compliance; almost guarantying the user experience is a losing environmental factor. But hey, with this White House, that’s where we’re headed. So deny and embrace. In fact, God speed Mr. Musk, take another chain saw bow for blowing up things and rebuilding them so they’re bullet proof. Ah, now that’s a bliss point! Think about the consequences here of toxic leadership in terms of chaos, risk and norms and you’ll see the urgency disrupt the corrupt.
Foresee says
Now the Republican mouthpieces are brushing this off as a simple mistake, everybody makes mistakes, they’ve learned their lesson so now move on. Move on to what, more mistakes and blunders that could lead to catastrophe? The problem is these people are amateurs and it’s not right for them to learn on the job at the expense of our national security.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Tulip, why are you painting Goldberg as a hero? He had the option not to publish the information. The people involved in the text conversation did not have that luxury. Goldberg could have protected the country by contacting the White House to notify them that their confidentiality has been breached, but he didn’t. We have not heard the rest of the story yet. How Goldberg’s telephone number became associated with a Waltz colleague’s name in Mike Waltz’s address book has yet to be determined. Till then, everyone should withhold their judgment.
Lying liars says
This wasn’t a mistake. They are using signal as a means to circumvent written records. This is deceitful. We are being led by a criminal and his mob of true DEI hires because they aren’t qualified for their posts. All of them are over their heads. People complain about the “olds” running the show. At least they did things by the book. GenX is in charge now (because face it, Trump is living in the 80s his dementia is so bad so he’s hardly leading, he’s just signing whatever they put in front of him). Vance, Musk, Rubio, Gabbard, Walz, Hegseth, etc., are all products of Ronald Reagan dismantling education that required civics. They are out of their depth and think bully politics is the way to go. We will end up in a world war by this time next year with these unqualified people in charge. But a woman, eggs, horrible Biden, blah, blah…America and its people are the laughing stock of the world and Putin is loving this. Great job!!!! 👏
Tony Mack says
Meanwhile, the Commander in Chief admits that he has no idea about the activities of his national security and defense staff members. If a Democratic President’s staff showed such ignorance of security protocols, he would be pilloried in the media while facing calls for impeachment from Republicans. Bet on it.
c says
Once again, I am amazed at the accuracy of Terry Pratchett in his descriptions of the human condition(s):
From Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Novel – The Last Continent
“Some chief went to prison to see the prime minister and the PM said, ‘Mate, your mob can dig it all up and drop it over the edge of the world, no worries.’”
“Why did he have to go to prison?”
“We put all our politicians in prison as soon as they’re elected. Don’t you?”
“Why?”
“It saves time.”
========================
JBO says
I’m getting drowned by all the liberal tears here. Such CLOWNS!!
Sherry says
AMAZING! trump BS “NOW” vs “THEN”:
NOW: “The main thing was nothing happened. The attack was totally successful,” Trump said during a meeting with a group of his ambassadors at the White House on Tuesday.
He also called his national security adviser, Michael Waltz, “a very good man” and insisted “he will continue to do a very good job,” while adding, “I think it’s very unfair how they attacked Michael” and labeling Goldberg a “total sleazebag.”
Later, in an interview with Newsmax, Trump said a Waltz aide had Goldberg’s number and “this guy ended up on the call.” He also added that he felt good about what occurred. “I can only go by what I’ve been told … but I feel very comfortable, actually.”
THEN: “Hillary is the one who sent and received classified information on an insecure server, putting the safety of the American people under threat,” Trump said in an October 2016 speech in Warren, Michigan.
“The rigged system refused to prosecute her for conduct that put all of us, everybody in this room, everybody in this country at risk. Hillary Clinton went to great lengths to create a private email server and to bypass government security in order to keep her emails from being read by the public and by federal officials,” he said in a November 2016 speech in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Pierre Tristam says
The New York Times had the option to run the Bay of Pigs story before it happened, but chose not to–to “protect the country.” One of the greatest errors in journalism judgment in the century. Journalists are in the business of exposing flaws and frauds, not covering up for them and enabling more of them.
Sherry says
Thank You Pierre! Right On!
I’ll point out that the Atlantic reporter could have published the “details of the battle plan” before it happened, but he chose not to until the military action was over. Regarding the absolutely disgraceful way trump’s “ridiculously unprepared/unqualified” brain trust talked about European allies. . . I hope it is plastered all over every news outlet worldwide, again and again! Good for Goldberg and The Atlantic!
Sherry says
@keep flagler. . . Completely lame “deflection BS”! It doesn’t matter when and how Goldberg’s phone number got on the group’s list. What matters is that no one noticed, and they not only massively breached our military security, but they talked complete “Trash” about those who were once our close allies. The European leaders are quickly being schooled on how trump’s political friends are unqualified Maga fools who cannot be trusted at all!
As Laurel says. . . Elect a criminal and you get crimes! In this case a “criminal syndicate”!
Proof positive that “Character Matters”!
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
The Russia hoax, Hunter Biden’s laptop and his Burisma dealings, Hilary Clinton’s smashed iPhones, Joe Biden’s mental impairment throughout his 4 years in office, the extreme enrichment of many, many Democrats while in office…just a few of the stories about which the media could have published the truth, but didn’t. I guess the acid test is whether one’s flag is red or blue. I get it.
Sherry says
@jbo. . . LOL! No tears here! Sorry about whatever that is in the gutter with you. . . ICK!
Sandy McCormick says
He should have stayed in Palm Coast where he was respected. Now that he follows Trump, he is a laughing stock and very dangerous to our national security.
Gene Perez says
The Atlantic Editor did finally publish everything to which he was privvy. A more honorable approach would have been to announce that he was unauthorized to be on the chat and leave. The substance of the chat was a nothing burger.
In fact, it seems more likely that the editor inadvertantly convinced European leaders, in ways that a message directly from Trump might well not have, that they need to pay for their own national defense. And to listen to what JD Vance has to say because he is a serious, major player who speaks with the same voice and authority as Trump. This has all of the signs of a brilliant and successful gaslighting operation by Team Trump.
Sherry says
LOL! Enjoying the Maga flailing this morning! Just keep throwing that Fox shit against the wall. Watch out for all that spinning though, it will continue to get on you. Or, is it actually coming out f you. . . can’t really tell. Oh Dear!
Laurel says
Well I have the answer about Goldberg’s phone number on Waltz’s phone, Waltz said it himself: “Well, if you have somebody else’s contact and then it, and then somehow it gets sucked in. It gets sucked in,” Waltz responded.
There you go! Waltz, and Trump’s top national security team sucks.
Willy Boy says
By the way, I have no doubts that Elon Musk did, in fact, receive the highly classified brief on China last week when he visited the Pentagon. I don’t trust a word that comes out of the mouth of SecDef. He lies with the best of them!
Educated Voter with a Great Civics Education says
As an observation, it seems that top security clearances were handed out like Oprah was filming another giveaway spectacular. “And YOU get a clearance, and YOU get a clearance …” If you do not see the implications of this security breach, and if you THINK you have strongly centered convictions about the safety of our troops and our nation’s future, if you do not see the blatant incompetence that has ravaged us for two months now, if you do not see the deception, lies, false promises, and 180 degree turnaround (and run) from campaign promises … you are complicit in treason.
Before you point at me and call me a libtard, I am NPA and vote both parties based on the quality of the candidates and how well their positions align with MY moral compass (which, BTW supports fiscal responsibility that will help us all, not just the 1%). My entire family has been in the military dating back to the Revolutionary War. Dad was USMC Korea on the 38th parallel circa 1951/52. We’ve served in every branch (men and women). So before you get your Kool-Aid panties in a knot, do not dare to accuse me of being a whack job commie leftist. I do not and will not follow a “party.” I research and read extensively, even sometimes lowering myself to a FAUX broadcast just for comparison. I form my own opinions. I have never liked the way the two-party system “dys”functions.
What they did was WRONG. There is no sugar-coating it. An incredibly profound lack of intellect and due diligence in protecting our nation. If anyone in the Dem party had done this you maga supporters would be screaming for public executions. When are you going to get your heads out of your bloated sense of pride and privilege and actually think about what it is like to grow a spine before this country is relegated to “enemy of the world” status? I learned a long time ago that the greatest indicator of maturity and growth is when you can reexamine an issue and admit you may have been wrong. Now, how then can I help to make it right?
Sherry says
If this whole debacle was just a “Nothing Burger” as Maga Cult Members claim. . . . why is a federal judge requiring that all the messages be preserved?
A federal judge on Thursday ordered key Trump administration agencies to preserve messages sent on Signal between March 11 to March 15.
Judge James Boasberg made the ruling in a preservation lawsuit brought in the wake of the revelation that Cabinet officials were discussing war plans on Signal. The Justice Department says the administration is already working to track down and preserve the Signal texts from that period.
Boasberg’s temporary restraining order also directs the administration to file a status report Monday, accompanied with declarations from government officials, explaining the steps the agencies were taking to preserve the messages.
The messages in question include exchanges about US military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The Atlantic reported earlier this week that just hours before the March 15 strikes, top members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet discussed detailed operational plans in a Signal group thread.
Pogo says
@A maga Republican Party tradition
… there is no bottom with them:
Republicans breeze past security protocols, occupy secure impeachment area
Cell phones in secure spaces and committee sit-in raises House Ethics questions
“…Rep. Michael Waltz told reporters that when he and other Republican members entered the room to hear testimony from Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, Schiff stood up and walked out, accompanied by the witness…”
https://rollcall.com/2019/10/23/republicans-breeze-past-security-protocols-occupy-secure-impeachment-area/
Their co-defendants elected them (or more impotently, made pointless gestures and/or did nothing) — and the rest of us are dragged to hell too.
trump’s Skid Row resort awaits — all you can eat stone soup and fleabag suite included.
Laurel says
Educated Voter: Thank you, you were right on! I, too, am a lifelong NPA. My lifelong Republican husband turned NPA thanks to Trump.
There is a reason that authoritarians get rid of the “intelligentsia” and that is reason. What I keep finding is that when I do talk to a Trump supporter (usually my husband does the talking as he is far more diplomatic) they are extremely limited in their responses. Most cannot, apparently, go beyond what is told to them. For instance, ask them to explain Trump’s plan. Nada. We get “Just wait a year.” No details, no real explanations, just deferrals, Biden slashing and end of conversation. What’s disturbing is that some of these folks are generally smart people, but they won’t describe what the plan is, and how it will affect us. Even when my husband behaves with an open mind, he gets the response “Let’s not talk politics.” It’s very much like Trump supporters have a blind faith! Like Trump is God or Jesus, and will lead us all down the correct path. They don’t know how, it will just happen. There is no reasoning with them; just stop talking. I wish they would investigate a little further than Fox Entertainment, Joe Rogen or whatever keeps them in their confirmation bias.
RWBoggess says
Keep Flagler Beautiful – your comment is well taken. A single mistake can be considered a single mistake as long as someone has learned a lesson. With that said, how about the career staffer with the Department of Homeland Security, worked for the US Government for over 20 years, being essentially terminated because she made a single mistake that gave out the details of a projected DHS raid in Las Vegas to a new paper editor? Shouldn’t the punish be the same for either Mr. Waltz or this woman with DHS?
The Riddler – were is the evidence that Hunter Biden sold government secrets from the information found in Mr. Biden’s garage? One could say that DJT Jr. did the same thing but saying it doesn’t mean it true.
Many of the other comments posted were, for the most part, right on. National Security is critical to our government and the citizens of the United States. It’s it not a Democrat vs. Republican issue…it is a government issue, a scared trust placed on those in office that the citizens of the US entrusted to our leaders. If they are unable to uphold this trust, then they should resign. Let us also remember that we are a country of laws, and the laws apply to EVERYONE. But the stroke of a pen, or a single spoken word, does not constitute the truth or the facts, and the laws of our country is predicated on the truth.
The dude says
The MAGA morons are flailing about as they whipsaw back and forth between “it’s a nothingburger” and “the orange shit stain is playing eleventyith level chess and gaslighting you”
This was a serious and egregious violation of our national security that occurred on a publicly available, insecure messaging app designed to to delete messages after a fixed time limit.
To the MAGAs who posit that Goldberg “should not have published anything, but should’ve contacted the WH”…
What on god’s green earth makes you think this would be useful?
MAGA hates the sunshine.
Had this admin been quietly informed, they would have been just as likely to “disappear” Goldberg on a deportation flight to Ecuador, versus taking any action to fix the issue.
Joe D says
Reply to “Jim says”
You are 100% correct…USUALLY the sitting President does try to pick the “Best and the Brightest “ for upper level appointed positions. Although I don’t agree with their POLITICS, Marco Rubio and Pam Bondi both have the experience and education to be ACTUALLY QUALIFIED for their positions…possibly even Waltz, and DEFINATELY the woman who is the White House Chief of staff. The PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS of most of the remaining “crew” appear to be 1- They look handsom/ beautiful on TV, 2-they own Trump a favor, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, 3-they are UNDIEINGLY LOYAL to Donald Trump.
Sadly (and MORE FRIGHTENING), is my fear that this is only the beginning of episodes when these unqualified appointees show how “in over their heads” they are in dealing with even the basics of NATIONAL SECURITY.
MORE SCARY is the thought that this is an invitation to CHINA, that our Political and Military Leadership is too disorganized and incompetent to stop them from making AGRESSIVE AND THREATENING moves on the Phillipines and Taiwan,
Joe D says
Responding to… Keep Flagler Beautiful…
Yes, anyone can MAKE MISTAKES…but these are the mistakes that you would expect new inexperienced “trainees” to make, not the highest level staff, responsible for keeping America, Military and Allied services safe (National Security…?)!!! Lives hang in the balance… you don’t EVER want to let your guard down.
Goldberg IS a HERO… imagine what damage could have been done had the same text “leak” been made to a less MORAL journalist or other individual?? He ORIGINALLY thought it was some kind of a joke…he heard what was clearly attack and battle plans (despite what “SPIN” White House sources are using)…he knew he should keep his mouth shut at that time, so there would be no interference with the mission. Then, AND ONLY THEN… he first published just sections of the text chat ( still keeping the most sensitive information quiet). When the MAGA response accused him of creating a HOAX, and that he was lying… or even WORSE that he had somehow HACKED his way into the conversation ( really not possible given the encrypted SIGNAL software…had the participants used it the way it was intended). He released MORE information IN PUBLIC, to prove he wasn’t lying and so the appropriate people knew how security protocols were violated, and they were just LUCKY this time, it didn’t cause a disaster,
Your suggestion that Goldberg should’ve QUIETLY notified the White House about the breach is unbelievably NAIVE…. you expect the CURRENT White House, the MASTERS OF MISINFORMATION AND LIES, to have made the information public, taken responsibility for the error, apologized and took steps to PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN??? GEE WIZ….they would have used that new anti-terrorist support law that just passed, where groups, and non-profit organizations can be accused of supporting “terrorists”( without proof, without a hearing, with almost no appeal rights) and can have their credentials revoked or their ability to fundraise stripped!! Can be used to silence anyone that speaks against the behavior of the current MAGA REGIME…RULE OF LAW…ANYONE….? Due process …ANYONE…?
You see how Goldberg has been vilified? “There was no CLASSIFIED information disclosed”… are you KIDDING ME??! What exactly would YOU ( and MOST Rational People) consider classified, if not this information? Regardless of what the current MAGA administration calls it, it was a dangerous breach of security protocol, and CERTAINLY staff at this level of government should have known better, and been more careful. What might happen, the NEXT TIME… and with the lack of PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE of most of these current appointees, it is likely to happen again…and possibly with more dire CONSEQUENCES.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Joe D, your response is typical of what we hear every day from crybaby liberals still smarting over the 2024 election — a ranting Hamlet’s soliloquy with ALL CAPS for extra emphasis to support your very special point of view. Consider: If Goldberg was brought into any text conversation in which he knew he did not belong, he should have spoken up immediately. However, the investigation is ongoing as to why he was mistakenly included in the text group in the first place. After 21 years in IT, I can tell you it sounds much more like a planned action than an accident. I won’t elaborate. Let’s leave that to the experts who are looking into it. Have a spectacular ALL-CAPS day.
Joe D says
In response to Keep Flagler Beautiful:
Apparently your “21 years of IT experience” isn’t so current or thorough…
Signal is a FAIRLY SECURE software (if it’s used CORRECTLY). The message is encrypted ( scrambled) at both ends of the conversation, reducing the risk of HACKING…so your veiled accusation that it was an intentional intrusion into the conversation by the journalist, is INCOMPATIBLE with the way Signal operates. The messages can be set to “self delete,” after a set period of time 30 seconds up to 30 days)…chosen by the sender. That SEEMS secure, but Government regulations require that such messages be SAVED securely, not deleted. The PROBLEM is that Signal has no control over who you add to the conversation (that’s on you). It has no control over what you do with the message once it’s on your phone (especially if it’s on a personal or unsecured phone).That’s why it’s not appropriate for “classified” or sensitive conversations.
Waltz already admitted that he had Goldberg’s cell number saved under someone else’s contact name (he didn’t say how the number displayed to the rest of the chat group, or how no one else NOTICED it). Supposedly all chat group members SHOULD be responsible for looking at the group members listed on the screen, making sure they know who they are, and that they belong on the CHAT. Hegseth is probably more at fault for sharing that detailed information on an insecure software system. Of course HE has taken no responsibility for discussing sensitive and/or classified ( semantics exercise) information, stating the chat was Security cleared (I can’t remember what his exact term for it was)…when it was NOT “secure.”
Yes, I agree with you that there should be a full investigation ( and a transparent one)…which I’m afraid won’t happen under the excuse of “National Security reasons.”
And thank you, I AM having a WONDERFUL…APPROPRIATE “PARTIAL” CAPS DAY!…😉
Mary Koonce says
Love how all the MAGA people are look over there cause nothing to see here. But the emails.lol Sad individuals!!!
Laurel says
Keep Flagler Beautiful: So you believe that the stupid use of an open source chat program, for attacking a country, was a “planned action?” You don’t want to elaborate? Aw, no, go ahead! Elaborate. I want to know how the planned stupidity was intended. Meanwhile, President Bone Spurs Klink states I know nossing. They just keep him out of the loop, right?
Come on, people, stop making excuses for this crap! The excuses are obvious. Y’all wonder why we keep shaking our heads.
Sherry says
Very well said, Joe D.!
I was going to say “consider the source”. . . however, when the source lives in an “alternate reality” based on nothing but mindless worship of a convicted felon, it’s very difficult to refrain from presenting credible facts and logic.
Your message certainly wasn’t lost on me. Thank You!
Sherry says
Thank You also The Dude and Laurel. . . Right On!
Absolutely, Mr. Goldberg would have been sitting in a prison in Ecuador. . . one way or the other. . . if he did not bring this situation out into the open. The publishing of this story is what keeps him in the “US”. I was going to say “safe”. . . but, in our current Maga culture, that is not accurate anymore.
We are all very fortunate that honorable journalists like Jeffrey Goldberg are still doing their jobs!
The dude says
BUTTERY MALES!!!!