Top Republican and Democratic senators demand probe into leaked chat scandal

In my mind the most important finding of all of this is the rank incompetence across the board in the Trump administration. Why it takes a scandal in order to see that is beyond me.

Republican Trump has dismissed the scandal as a "witch-hunt" and backed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite the fact that Hegseth used the app to discuss precise timings of the strikes shortly before they happened and aircraft types involved.

Mr. Hegseth comes across as a needy guy with imposter syndome.

But the White House has gone on the offensive, denying that any classified material was shared and attacking Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, who revealed that he had been erroneously added into the supposedly secret chat group.

But many military personnel and veterans have seen what was shown in the group chats and have commented that what was shown would indeed be considered as classified information. Any information containing weapons used, times of strikes, and so on, could be used by enemies to reverse-engineer and determine military strategy and protocol. Not to mention the fact that the chat notes mentions the target and could be determined how and who came in contact with such target, thus putting future missions in jeopardy.

"If true, this reporting raises questions as to the use of unclassified networks to discuss sensitive and classified information," they said of The Atlantic's story about the chat.

That brings up a good question. When, how, and why did Hegseth declassify this classified information? It could be a crime to declassify information, move it on to your own personal computer or phone, and then pass it on to others, especially on an unsecured device.

"It was sensitive information, not classified, and inadvertently released, and what we should be talking about is that it was a very successful mission," Bondi told a news conference.

Even though a mission was successful, doesn't mean a breach in protocol should not be investigated. Remember when former General Austin was investigated for a full year because he didn't disclose that he was to have an operation for prostrate cancer? Nothing bad came out of that, but he still had to be investigated for a breach in military protocol.

Also, this case of using unsecured devices is the one instance it was noticed. How many other cases went unnoticed? It has to be asked if there were other situations where Hegseth, Gabbard, and others used unsecured devices to divulge sensitive and classified information to each other. Because if they had, then damage control would have to be done if anyone's identities have been compromised.

Washington has vowed to use overwhelming force against the Houthis until they stop firing on vessels in the key shipping routes of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with the rebels threatening to resume attacks in protest over the Gaza war.

Yes, the use of force is justifiable and I commend them for completing the mission. However, the end should not justify the means. Imagine what kind of message it sends to all military personnel. Leaders have to be examples to their subordinates. If anyone from a private to a general did this, they would summarily be courtmartialed for it. Accountability should be the example set for others below you.

I also question why wasn't the Joint Chiefs of Staff not involved in this military operation? There should always be a military presence available. Also, in all military operations I've heard about in the past, they've always occurred at the White House with all important people involved. You've probably seen pictures of them talking with each other face-to-face and communicating together while looking intently at a screen to see the action happening. By having it face-to-face, it omits the problem of misunderstanding in messaging of certain orders.

But the White House has gone on the offensive, denying that any classified material was shared

This is hilariously false. They may as well say "these are not the droids your looking for".

I have papers from my grandfather from WW2 marked 'classified' showing pretty innocuous movements in Normandy amout logistics, not about attack timings.

The idea that these weren't classified is preposterous. And if they weren't, why not share then live with the Hutis live?

These are not serious people. Trump needs to appoint some grown ups, not losers who've clung onto his coat tails.

Top Republican and Democratic senators demand probe into leaked chat scandal

As they should - this is a massive breach of national security - just think about it - you had the VP, SECDEF, SECSTATE, National Security Advisor, and all sorts of other senior officials - AND NONE OF THEM HAD THE GUTS OR INTELLIGENCE TO SAY "WE'RE VIOLATING SECURITY PROCEDURES"....

Hegseth's own DOD sent out a memo the week before ordering no use of Signal, because its been compromised by the RUSSIANS and CHINESE...and these Morons STILL used it...

This needs a Special Prosecutor appointed ASAP - and all these miscreants should have their access to classified suspended pending the investigation....as someone who has worked with classified in the military for 35 years, that is exactly what the regulations call for when there is a security incident...

But do we really expect anyone in the criminal Trump administration to "follow the rules"?

In my mind the most important finding of all of this is the rank incompetence across the board in the Trump administration. Why it takes a scandal in order to see that is beyond me.

Geez, no one was killed, it was a major fluke, Waltz took responsibility and they will make sure this doesn't happen again, that's it, if Dems want to circle the wagons on this and make it the GOPs Achilles heel, good luck, but I get it, they desperately need SOMETHING to latch onto, they just have nothing else.

bass4funk

Geez, no one was killed, it was a major fluke, Waltz took responsibility and they will make sure this doesn't happen again, that's it,

If only it was that easy for Hillary's emails, which was way less serious. Waltz isn't to blame. Hegseth is and he should resign.

if Dems want to circle the wagons on this and make it the GOPs Achilles heel, good luck, but I get it, they desperately need SOMETHING to latch onto, they just have nothing else.

Not just Dems. As the article states top Republican senators demand probe into leaked chat scandal.

If only it was that easy for Hillary's emails, which was way less serious.

For you, not for the government, and as you can see, it left the Dems unemployed

Waltz isn't to blame. Hegseth is and he should resign.

Yeah, not going to happen, and remember, Biden's own General went AWOL without telling his boss that he need to have surgery, this is a military "Yes, sir" man who's responsibility is to report to his boss at all times if he has tasks or assignments he needs to undertake, he can't just leave when he wants, he knows this being in the military, but he didn't care and as a result of his incompetent and uncaring action, was he fired? No, he wasn't, anyway. Waltz took responsibility and will not resign, and neither will Hegseth, and if the left don't like it, they'll get over it.

Not just Dems. As the article states top Republican senators demand probe into leaked chat scandal.

Not a problem. Have the probe, then.

How about these Trump supporters they are totally delusional and in total denial. LOL. This how the Germany population was taken in by Hitlers regime and stuck by him until The Soviets started winning. We all know they gave up their fascist leader for the protection of the USA. That what your parents did Bass ? would that be correct.

Waltz took responsibility and they will make sure this doesn't happen again

He blamed Goldberg for being in the chat and offered to public apology or resignation. Instead he merely acknowledged it happened. Republicans were right about Clinton when she used her personal email, but this is absolutely way worse. Especially, when one of the groups recipients was literally in Russia, under the eye of the KGB, messaging as part of the group.

How about these Trump supporters they are totally delusional and in total denial. LOL. 

None, it happened, the mistake was made, correct it, ensure it doesn't happen, and you move on, that is what you do.

This how the Germany population was taken in by Hitlers regime and stuck by him until The Soviets started winning. 

Ok, you are getting in the weeds. I am trying to have a serious conversation; why is it that libs just go off on a serious tangent? Will we talk about the Civil War next?

We all know they gave up their fascist leader for the protection of the USA. That what your parents did Bass ? would that be correct.

Oh, dear lord...lol

All of these amateurs should be removed immediately and replaced with more professional and competent people.

Geez, no one was killed, it was a major fluke, Waltz took responsibility and they will make sure this doesn't happen again, that's it,

What? So if a person brandished a weapon in a school threatening to shoot people by pointing the gun at them, but in the end he or she didn't and no one got hurt. That person didn't even fire off a shot. You think they would just be let scott free without getting arrested?

Do you actually think that these people should be above the law? Because I know for a fact that if any soldier or officer in the military would be apprehended and possibly court-martialed for a grievance such as this. So if no action is taken here, what kind of message does it send to them? Leaders need to set examples to their subordinates.

In any case, an investigation needs to be conducted because we don't know what other cases that we don't know about in which private phones or unsecured apps were used to relay sensitive and likely classified information that was declassified. Because if it turns out that identities were compromised, or military strategies were given away, then it could do serious damage for future missions.

The Atlantic magazine published the full chat

the full classified chat?

then it wasn’t classified.

the end.

the full classified chat?

then it wasn’t classified.

the end.

You're right. It was classified and then it was declassified before being posted. It was probably declassified by Hegseth himself.

Another apples-to-oranges argument.

No, I just asked a simple, relevant question, so do you care to answer it?

 it was a major fluke, Waltz took responsibility

How? What actions did he take? How was he punished?

The biggest problem is that Trump put in amateurs in positions where seasoned, qualified, and experienced people should be put in place. They don't realize that the work in their positions should be held at a higher standard than working on a podcast or reality show. They obviously don't do the work to follow the rules and proper protocol.

The biggest problem is that Trump put in amateurs in positions where seasoned, qualified, and experienced people should be put in place. They don't realize that the work in their positions should be held at a higher standard than working on a podcast or reality show. They obviously don't do the work to follow the rules and proper protocol.

This is the Trump plan. Obedient imbeciles are more useful to them than thoughtful experts.

The biggest problem is that Trump put in amateurs in positions where seasoned, qualified, and experienced people should be put in place. 

No, not at all. https://youtu.be/l7kQNwJ4H_w?si=5NUerPPRCltp39Ln

Oh, I definitely disagree now more than ever.

They don't realize that the work in their positions should be held at a higher standard than working on a podcast or reality show. They obviously don't do the work to follow the rules and proper protocol.

Ok, now let's take a look at reality now again...lol

This is the Trump plan. Obedient imbeciles are more useful to them than thoughtful experts.

Yes, you serve at the pleasure of the President, and if you don't like it or want to, resign it happens all the time in politics throughout every Presidency

Yes, you serve at the pleasure of the President, and if you don't like it or want to, resign it happens all the time in politics throughout every Presidency

No. We do not serve a king. In fact, it is the President who serves us. The POTUS is an employee of the American people. That's how it should be, at least in a democracy. But hey, I get it. The Neocons want to turn America into a Fascist state. Unfortunately, there are many Americans who are willing to fight Fascism. No Nazi salutes to Trump from us.

No. We do not serve a king.

Of course not

In fact, it is the President who serves us.

Yes, but the people working for the President serve at his pleasure

The POTUS is an employee of the American people. That's how it should be, at least in a democracy. 

No one is disputing or disagreeing with you. we all know this, so as to why are you even mentioning it?...odd

But hey, I get it. The Neocons want to turn America into a Fascist state. 

No, the Conservatives got the Neocons out of office, and we are not in a fascist state anymore. November solved that problem

Unfortunately, there are many Americans who are willing to fight Fascism. No Nazi salutes to Trump from us.

Trump is nowhere near anything remotely resembling that, but yes, we are and have fought fascism, so if I were a liberal and I am not, I would leave all that aside and think how I can make my party somewhat relevant again.