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Read the Messages From Trump Officials’ Group War Chat

The so-called “small group” has created big problems for the administration.

Recreation of Signal message conversation between Trump Cabinet members regarding bombings of the Houthi in Yemen

Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Reuters

By Tom Sanders

The White House is still reeling after a staggering security blunder that saw a journalist being accidentally added to a group chat in which top Trump administration officials discuss secret U.S. military plans.

Jeffery Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added to the “Houthi PC small group” on Signal—a commercial messaging app—whose members included JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Michael Waltz with "f***ing idiot" with spinning stars on top of his face
FATE IN TRUMP’S HANDS

White House Insiders Pile on ‘F***ing Idiot’ Over Group Chat

Janna Brancolini

The extraordinary security oversight, which immediately sparked uproar from Democrats and Republicans alike, revealed that highly sensitive military plans were being discussed outside appropriate government classified systems.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended Waltz—who is facing pressure to resign—telling NBC News that Waltz has “learned a lesson” and praising him as “a good man.”

Here are some of the messages sent in the Signal group chat.

Recreation of Signal message conversation between Trump Cabinet members regarding bombings of the Houthi in Yemen. Houthi PC small group 1: From Michael Waltz Team – establishing a principles group for coordination on Houthis, particularly for over the next 72 hours. My deputy Alex Wong is pulling together a tiger team at deputies/agency Chief of Staff level following up from the meeting in the Sit Room this morning for action items and will be sending that out later this evening. 2. From Michael Waltz (cont) Pls provide the best staff POC from your team for us to coordinate with over the next couple days and over the weekend. Thx. 3. From MAR (Rubio?) Mike Needham for State 4. From “JD Vance” Andy baker for VP. 5. From TG Joe Kent for DNI. 6. From Scott B Dan Katz for Treasury 7. From Pete Hegseth Dan Caldwell for DoD. 8. From Brian Brian McCormack for NSC

The Daily Beast

Recreation of Signal message conversation between Trump Cabinet members regarding bombings of the Houthi in Yemen

The Daily Beast

Recreation of Signal message conversation between Trump Cabinet members regarding bombings of the Houthi in Yemen5 From Joe Kent There is nothing time sensitive driving the time line. We’ll have the exact same options in a month. From John Ratcliffe - REDACTED From Pete Hegseth VP: I understand your concerns – and fully support you raising w/ POTUS. Important considerations, most of which are tough to know how they play out (economy, Ukraine peace, Gaza, etc). I think messaging is going to be tough no matter what – nobody knows who the Houthis are – which is why we would need to stay focused on: 1) Biden failed & 2) Iran funded. From Pete Hegseth Waiting a few weeks or a month does not fundamentally change the calculus. 2 immediate risks on waiting: 1) this leaks, and we look indecisive; 2) Israel takes an action first – or Gaza cease fire falls apart – and we don’t get to start this on our own terms. We can manage both. We are prepared to execute, and if I had final go or no go vote, I believe we should. This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which Biden cratered. But, we can easily pause. And if we do, I will do all we can to enforce 100% OPSEC. I welcome other thoughts.

The Daily Beast

TEXT MESSAGE SCREEN GRABS Form Michael Waltz Whether it’s now or several weeks from now, it will have to be the United States that reopens these shipping lanes. Per the president’s request we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans. From JD Vance @Pete Hegseth: “if you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again. ADD From JD Vance Let’s just make sure our messaging is tight here. And if there are things we can do upfront to minimize risk to Saudi oil facilities we should do it. From Hegseth “VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC. But Mike is correct, we are the only ones on the planet (on our side of the ledger) who can do this. Nobody else even close. Question is timing. I feel like now is as good a time as any, given POTUS directive to reopen shipping lanes. I think we should go; but POTUS still retains 24 hours of decision space. From SM As I heard it, the president was clear: green light, but we soon make clear to Egypt and Europe what we expect in return. We also need to figure out how to enforce such a requirement. EG, if Europe doesn’t remunerate, then what? If the US successfully restores freedom of navigation at great cost there needs to be some further economic gain extracted in return. From Pete Hegseth Agree.

The Daily Beast

Recreation of Signal message conversation between Trump Cabinet members regarding bombings of the Houthi in Yemen 1. From Pete Hegseth “TEAM UPDATE” (Update not quotes) From JD Vance I will say a prayer for victory (two users “added” prayer emoji)

An excerpt from the now-infamous groupchat.

The Daily Beast

Recreation of Signal message conversation between Trump Cabinet members regarding bombings of the Houthi in Yemen.From Michael Waltz (Not quoted section…) amazing job. From John Ratcliffe A good start From Michael Waltz Fist, American flag, fire emoji From MAR Good Job Pete and your team!! From Susie Wiles Kudos to all — most particularly those in theater and CENTCOM! Really great. God bless From Steve Witkoff Two prayer hands, flexed bicep, two American flags From TG Great work and effects!

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