Trump says Waltz is ‘doing his best’ amid Signal text chain leak
President Donald Trump stood by National Security Advisor Michael Waltz during an ambassador meeting on Monday, amidst a storm of criticism following the leak of a Signal text chain. In the text chain, Waltz’s staffers accidentally added The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a group chat discussing sensitive war plans with Secretary of State Pete Hegseth and others.
Despite the blunder, Trump defended Waltz, stating that he believes Waltz is “doing his best” and should not apologize for the mistake. The president acknowledged that the technology used in the incident was not perfect and suggested that Waltz would likely not use it again in the near future.
Goldberg’s unexpected inclusion in the chat allowed him to learn about planned attacks against Houthi fighters in Yemen before they occurred. While the breach did not impact the military’s plans, it has raised concerns among both supporters and critics of the Trump administration.
During the meeting, Trump expressed his concerns about the security of Signal conversations and questioned whether hackers could access them. He tasked Waltz with investigating the matter, with the national security advisor assuring the president that White House technical experts and legal teams were looking into the situation.
Waltz emphasized the commitment of the national security team to keeping information secure and protecting individuals from harm. He reassured Trump that the team would take all necessary measures to ensure the security of their communications.
The incident has prompted discussions about the use of secure communication platforms and the importance of maintaining confidentiality in sensitive discussions. As the administration continues to address the fallout from the Signal text chain leak, the focus remains on safeguarding national security and preventing future breaches.
