Posted on 03/24/2025 11:34:32 AM PDT by Miami Rebel
Vice President JD Vance criticized the judgment of his boss, President Donald Trump, in a leaked group chat in which Vance and several other senior Trump administration officials discussed the possibility of American military strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen.
On Monday, The Atlantic‘s Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he had accidentally been added to a Signal group chat in which the Principals Committee – the heads of the top American national security agencies — debated how and whether to strike the Houthis earlier this month.
At one point, after National Security Advisor Mike Waltz informed the group that they had been sent information regarding the administration’s plans over email, and Vance expressed concerns over the decision.
“Team, I am out for the day doing an economic event in Michigan. But I think we are making a mistake,” replied the vice president. “3 percent of US trade runs through the suez [canal]. 40 percent of European trade does. There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary. The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message.”
“I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. There’s a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices,” he added. “I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth professed to understand Vance’s concerns, but nevertheless pushed back.
“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,” wrote 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.”
“If you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again,” Vance told Hegseth.
Vance’s comments about Trump not being “aware” of his “inconsistent” messaging are notable given the pair’s past. While he eventually developed into one of Trump’s most reflexive allies, the VP was once among his most strident critics.
During Trump’s 2016 campaign, Vance privately compared the then-candidate to Adolf Hitler and asked his followers on Twitter, “What percentage of the American population has @realDonaldTrump sexually assaulted?”
By prick Im referring to Goldberg who is a mega prick
Yes.
Of course, you and many on the Right need to clarify what is "helpful".
That would require defining what American Patriots' objectives should be.
Anything less than reinstating the U.S. Constitution as the Supreme Law of the Land and dismantling the 80%+, $3+ trillion unconstitutional portion of the feds falls short of restoring our Free Constitutional Republic.
I’ll admit I failed to see Pence’s betrayal coming - I never liked him but I thought he was harmless - chosen to win Bible Belt votes. I will also confess that I didn’t expect Jeff Sessions to be so spineless either. My track record was not the greatest when it came to spotting RINOs..
But that all changed with the stolen 2020 election, the January 6 Fedsurrection and the ensuing lawfare. The RINOs and other Trump haters thought Trump was toast, so they all came out of the closet.
Now that President Trump is back, we know who the backstabbers are and JD Vance is not one of them - far from it.
The funny this is this portrays JD in an excellent light. I don’t know why the flagship leftist publication The Atlantic would have wanted to publish this material. It makes JD look very intelligent and astute in considering all angles and refusing to keep the US serving as the European elites’ errand boy and fixit man all over the world. Sure, they try to spin it against Trump (who won’t be running for election again), but the effect is to show Vance is ready to step up when the time comes.
Remember, Washington almost made military decisions that could have ended badly...through discussions with subordinates he changed his mind. Washington didn’t mind disagreements.
In Trump’s first term, FR generally thought Pence was the cat’s meow. I didn’t trust the guy.
What’s different now? Vance is a politician like Pence. He says, “The right things” like Pence did. He doesn’t talk about dismantling the unconstitutional portion of govt. Neither did Pence. All similar to Reagan’s Bush.
Looks like a repeat to me.
It’s being reported in DM as well
Well, I appreciate your honesty. However, what you did or didn’t post may not have reflected what you thought.
Actually if you were alert to the coming disaster (Pence) you would have or should have posted something like I did then about Pence and what I’m doing now with Vance and getting flamed for it. No matter. Nobody will remember 4 years from now when Vance turns out to be another Pence/Bush.
Who cares? It’s only our Free Constitutional Republic at stake. So what?
Wait, did you just use journalist and ethic in the same sentence. You have a wonderful sense of humor.
I heard that there were two J. Goldbergs on the app’s recipient list, just with different middle initials. Pretty easy to select the wrong one.
That said, this is absolutely inexcusable.
ARREST HIM NOW!
Was anything classified?
He should have immediately informed them that their meeting was compromised and that he was to be signed off and NEVER to discuss the event or anything he heard.
Since he didn’t do that, ARREST HIM NOW!
totally agree. this was no accident. Someone had to take the time to actually add in the number and initials.
He’s editor-in-chief of the Atlantic.
The Atlantic and Goldberg aren’t the problem and nether is the conversation itself.
The fact that a high-level war-planning communication was broadcast is a staggering security failure.
Deep State’s ginning up games of lets-you-and-him-fight.
Refuse to play.
Trump will sort this out.
And, hopefully, there will be hell to pay.
This is the main point. Thank you.
Some weasel spy left over. These guys all have assistants that set this stuff up.
It was clearly intentional. The question is why Pete Hegseth wanted this "reporter" listening in.
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