President Donald Trump has defended National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, dashing rumors of his ousting after a report by The Atlantic claiming a national security breach. According to a source who is close to the president, Waltz’s job is secure and he is not going to resign.
Despite the controversy, Mike Waltz is continuing with his official itinerary. He will address his Russian counterpart on a suggested Black Sea ceasefire agreement on Tuesday. Later, he willengage in discussions with President Trump as scheduled.
Mike Waltz has also dismissed having any earlier encounter with The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, dismissing allegations that he was to blame for any security breaches.
White House Defends Mike Waltz, Calls The Atlantic Report Sensationalist
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement debunking The Atlantic’s report.
“Jeffrey Goldberg is well-known for his sensationalist spin,” Leavitt wrote. She went on to clarify three important points about the case:
- No “war plans” were mentioned in the supposed message chain.
- No classified data was shared.
- The White House Counsel’s Office has issued clear advice on secure communication practices.
Leavitt further said that the administration is looking into how Goldberg’s number was inadvertently added to the chat thread. “Thanks to the strong and decisive leadership of President Trump, and everyone in the group, the Houthi strikes were successful and effective. Terrorists were killed and that’s what matters most to President Trump,” she said.
How Did the Alleged Security Breach Happen?
Fox News was informed by a senior White House official that Goldberg may have been accidentally added to a Signal messaging group used by Cabinet officials and staff members.
The official said that Goldberg’s number was incorrectly saved as a contact by a staff member, which caused him to be added to the chat. Although Signal is commonly used by government agencies, officials are reviewing security procedures to avoid such occurrences in the future.
Democrats Demand Mike Waltz to be Removed
Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee have resolutely denounced the violation and are calling for Waltz’s removal.
“This is an outrageous national security breach and heads should roll. We need a full investigation and hearing into this on the House Armed Services Committee, ASAP,” Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa.,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) on X.
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) expressed similar outrage, saying, “We can’t chalk this up to a simple mistake — people should be fired for this.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Blasts The Atlantic
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth brushed off the scandal, attacking The Atlantic and its reporter, Jeffrey Goldberg.
“Nobody was texting war plans,” Hegseth said of the incident. He referred to Goldberg as a “deceitful and highly discredited journalist who’s made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again.”
Hegseth also reminded the audience that The Atlantic has been accused of promulgating inaccurate narratives previously.
Goldberg Comes to The Atlantic’s Defense
Jeffrey Goldberg came to The Atlantic’s defense, pushing back against the criticism.
“We’re a profitable magazine. We have more than 1.2 million paid subscribers. We have tremendous web traffic. And we are completely self-funded at this point. It’s going really great,” he said.
What’s Next for Waltz and the Investigation?
As the controversy mounts, the White House continues to stand by Waltz as Democrats call for additional scrutiny. The House Armed Services Committee can launch an investigation, but the administration is not budging.
As the drama continues to play out, Waltz is steadfast in his responsibilities, and President Trump is not backing down from his position. Whether the controversy will have lasting political consequences is uncertain.
