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?”
There is no questioning of Trump’s judgment.
The real issue would be if JD saw protecting international shipping and stopping the Iranians/Houthis as something he hates to do because he sees it as “bailing out Europe”.
I prefer to think this is made up.
Oh no! Vance has a disagreement with Trump! Tell me when I should begin shuddering. 😖
Like Job said to the Lord, I say the say for the :Lord's tool Donald John Trump, "I still have faith in you."
NSC spokesman confirms:
“Brian Hughes, the spokesman for the National Security Council, responded two hours later, confirming the veracity of the Signal group. “This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain,” Hughes wrote. “The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security.”
Vance is right. MTG called Trump out on it right away. Launching air strikes on Islamic sh!t-holes is the surest way for Trump to lose his momentum here at home.
Exactly...which one of these guys had The Atlantic‘s Jeffrey Goldberg in his contacts list?
Although... this could be a intentional release to deceive some foreign agency during all these foreign policy negotiations.
Mediaite lies
Yes a journalist has no business there.
However the Principals Committee is supposed to have disagreements. That’s the whole point of a committee; it wouldn’t be at all helpful to have people who just say “yes” to everything.
Goldberg also has a tendency to flat out lie:
“The piece, written by the magazine’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, claims Trump fumed about a $60,000 bill he received from Guillen’s family for her funeral during a December 2020 Oval Office meeting — allegedly telling aides, “It doesn’t cost 60,000 bucks to bury a f–king Mexican.”
...
Mayra Guillen, Vanessa’s sister, slammed the Atlantic report as “hurtful & disrespectful,” and indicated that the former president treated her family with “respect” in the aftermath of her sister’s brutal killing.
“President Donald Trump did nothing but show respect to my family & Vanessa,” she added. “In fact, I voted for President Trump today.””
He’s about to lose his job.
Love that.
Nightmare Alternative Scenario headline: "pResident HarAss Agrees with VP Tampon Tim that War is 'Joy,' Gives Go-Ahead for Full-Scale Invasion of Russia"
BA should be BS.
J.D. is on Trump's Team. This is why you hire top notch professionals to be on your team.
If you wanted amateur hour you would hire Pence and Dan Quayle for your team.
Those losers are long gone.
Critical thinking is always in short supply. It's a good idea to keep a good stock
on hand. J.D. needs the experience so he can hit the ground running in 2029.
Trump is trying to curtail Iran and stop it from having a nuclear weapon which it will use against us.
I’m sure Trump’s action has overwhelming support.
Don’t need MTG running foreign policy.
And Vance needs some educating.
Sounds like a reasonable concern by the VP and a weak attempt by the media to portray, and actually cause, a fractured relationship.
>>>>IMO, Vance is more of a liability than an asset.<<<<
Is that because Vance stood up for American Taxpayers and ripped Dictator Zelensky a new arse hole during the Oval Office meeting of Feb. 28th.?
This isn’t nearly as simple as the wrong address getting auto-filled on someone’s email. Somebody specifically sent this guy a link to the group — and then approved his request to join.
What does that have to do with Houthis in a broken country like Yemen?
And Vance needs some educating.
LOL.
I was surprised Jeffrey Goldberg didn’t release the whole thing knowing he could have a democrat threefer - damaging Trump, the group and the United States. Maybe he’s holding back to get a better book deal.
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