By now most folks have heard of Signalgate, the scandal that involves Trump’s national security team using a commercial, unsecured app to engage in a group chat to discuss attacks on Houthis in Yemen. The texts in addition to disclosing an imminent attack on Houthi targets also included internal White House policy debates, whether to postpone the attacks, and how to make “Europe” pay America for keeping shipping lanes open, and reflections on ‘deadbeat’ European. Later in the texts, the ‘order of battle’ for the attacks on Houthi targets and battle damage assessments was provided. What has not been published is the name of an “active CIA intelligence officer” named by the CIA Director during the chat.
The White House claims the information discussed was unclassified. The democrats roll their eyes and say it was classified. I don’t want to focus on the classified unclassified debate or the hypocrisy of the law and order rightwing. To me the worst part of the group chat has nothing to do with the obvious classified nature of the information disclosed by the posse incompetente. It’s what the texts reveal about Trump, our national security priorities, and his judgment in selecting his national security team.
First, the choice to use Signal was a conspicuous display of their sloppy amateurism. It explains why the Russians are running circles around Trump’s peace negotiating team. Second, this motely group appears afraid to speak their minds to the boss. That’s their core job, providing timely, frank, and honest advice. It never ends well for Kings who have feckless and clueless advisors. Third, it is clear our national security policy has nothing to do with America’s security but Trump’s personal vendettas, punishing those who trespassed against him. Fourth, Trump is the personification of Captain Ahab but with nukes. Europe his white whale, the “Tariff” his whaling ship.
I was shocked at the sophomoric reactions to the serious life and death ramifications of their actions. Instead of somber reflection that innocents died in that collapsed building – along with a bad guy – they send childish celebratory emojis texts. When someone’ killed I always think, “what a better time than now to send a string of jingoistic emojis.” They have the emotional intelligence of rocks.
Damning as well, is that hours before our men and women flew into harm’s way, they recklessly telegraphed the attack to our adversaries, who, most likely have compromised Signal. Did they not think to protect our men and women? Their gross dereliction of duty betrayed the life and safety or these men and women. A dishonorable sin in my eyes. They must resign.
The Department of Justice must open a preliminary inquiry whether any laws were broken by members of Trump’s national security team. Mike Walz and Pete Hegseth must resign. Sadly, my prediction is that Trump will use this incident to further his relentless attacks on a free press. Trump will counterpunch with ordering Justice to open an investigation, but the target will be “The Atlantic” and the journalist who was the “accidental” invitee, a guest of Mr. Walz.
