High-level Trump administration figures demonstrate repeated operational security failures by including unauthorized people in sensitive chats and downplaying consequences. A Signal chat that included SecDef Pete Hegseth invited a major journalist into a conversation about an active military attack in Yemen. Hegseth defended the inclusion by claiming no classified material or formal war plans were discussed. Investigations showed Hegseth also discussed national security matters with close family and a family lawyer. A separate instance involved a possibly unauthorized person being added to an ICE chat about an ongoing manhunt, further illustrating weak OPSEC practices.
Trump has surrounded himself with sycophants, most of them known only for waving the MAGA flag when not hosting shows on Fox or podcasts celebrating the debut of American fascism. Case in point: SecDef Pete Hegseth, who was previously best known for his multiple Fox News appearances (and is currently best known for reposting a recording of a pastor saying women shouldn't have the right to vote) now heads the Defense Department.
Somehow, a Signal chat group that included him managed to invite Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a chat session discussing an ongoing military attack in Yemen. In all fairness to Hegseth (which is far more than he deserves), he probably didn't send out this invite himself. On the other hand, his defense of this OPSEC failure strips away all the fairness I've just awarded him.
According to Hegseth, this was no big deal because nothing classified was discussed and these weren't actually "war plans" despite the group being referred to by at least one (intended) participant as the "houthi war chat group." Well, if that's the case, then future "war chats" should just take place on X in full view of everyone. After all, nothing sensitive or classified is being shared. Isn't that right, Pete?
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