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?”
But the Democrats may spread fear among their low-information voters by telling them that he might.
Here you go - Brian Hughes is the admin’s NSC spokesperson. It’s real:
https://x.com/TaskandPurpose/status/1904325557866631362
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/houthi-atlantic-goldberg/
There are a ton of MSM news links, too, if you want those.
Brian Hughes, the NSC spokesman, confirmed that it’s true.
“...it looks like Goldberg’s report is legit.”
LMAO!
This is the old lipstick-on-a-pig ruse. Left wing clowns love troweling on makeup to cover up their illegitimacy.
I guess you can take it up with the NSC spokesman.
“I guess you can take it up with the NSC spokesman.”
Take up what?
Whether the report is legitimate... were you saying that it wasn’t?
If not, my apologies.
“were you saying that it wasn’t?”
I wasn’t saying it wasn’t. I was stating that the Atlantic, overall, wasn’t a credible source of news. It’s a left wing rag run by emotionally-stunted 60-year-old teenagers.
Be that as it may, in this specific case, it occurred and was verified by the NSC.
The larger question now is, what’s their lesson learned? The after-action on this one within that group should be strong enough to sure that troops aren’t endangered because of this, and that the CIA operatives aren’t burned.
Task and Purpose.
Is that an official government source?
>>Task and Purpose.
Is that an official government source?<<
I think it’s obvious that it’s not. Here’s their story - too long to copy/paste here. They are not MSM. It’s an independent news source:
“Task & Purpose was founded in 2014 as a voice for the military community, and continues to serve that community with accurate reporting and great storytelling to this day.”
https://taskandpurpose.com/about-task-purpose/
Fox News story: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-reveals-who-behind-signal-text-chain-leak
The White House hasn’t published a statement, news item, or remarks on Whitehouse.gov yet.
To add: A quick search shows that Task and Purpose has been cited multiple times on FR. Just search for “task and purpose” + “FreeRepublic” in your favorite search engine.
That’s the point.
You and your fellow democrat operatives are propagating hearsay.
“ I think it’s obvious that it’s not.”
Exactly.
“ The White House hasn’t published a statement, news item, or remarks on Whitehouse.gov yet.”
Where does Brian Hughes work?
I’m no democratic operative. Look at my join date. I’ve been to Freeps in Fresno, the SF Bay Area, and D.C. Two inauguration balls. I literally have the SoreLoserman T-shirt and the Count the Silverware swag.
I’m answering your questions. You’re welcome to find verifiable sources that contradict mine.
You have presented nothing to contradict.
Answer my questions to learn.
Where does Brian Hughes work?
He works for the NSC.
He made his statement yesterday. When, or if, the WH chooses to publish it is a separate matter.
Here you go:
What is the NSC and where is its offices located.
-
You link again to a media outlet, not a primary source. How does this ABC article verify Brian Hughes made the statement attributed to him?
I’m not doing your homework for you. Here is his official X page:
He is the Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications.
He has not disputed that he has said these things, reported by multiple news organizations.
I’m stopping here. I have work to do.
NSC = National Security Council
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