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?”
Frankly, if a policy existed in the past, in any Administration, it should likely be a candidate for erasure.
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Is that throwing the baby out with the bathwater?
No.
Because all those excellent policies generated $36T in debt. Absolutely NOTHING is right and proper and admirable if it generated $36T in debt.
Who would have Jeffrey Goldberg’s Signal information to share like this?
It sure wasn’t JD. Also, JD did not criticize Trump—just how it has been told to Trump and that his policy might not be what was intended.
That would appear to be Mike Waltz, the National Security Advisor.
They weren’t using WhatsApp they were using signal
Signal is not allowed for DOD or National Security use so this may have been a psyop to feed the reporter some information to send a message.
Right, and I’m sure you were spot on about Pence before 2020, right?
Mediaite is lies, fake news, obfuscation,and manipulation.
A win for the left….evident by reactions in this thread.
A story meant to divide…not to help our country.
The Atlantic is smearing normal and admirable evaluations into a wedge to divide Prez & VP.
He didn’t criticize Trump. He wants to be sure Trump is aware of all aspects of this decision, protecting him from a greater trouble.
Screw off, TRUMP did not follow Vance’s approach.
Are you a Trump hating leftist?
No, but now he will be under the microscope.
Interesting thank you.
Does Goldberg have a journalistic ethic obligation to confirm he belongs at that meeting?
No, it does not. It sounds like a wolf accidentally got let into the sheep pen, and went on to tell a fairytale.
Has “Mediaites” had their fact checkers fact check this story for accuracy? Their credibility isn’t very good, IMHO.
I’ve been really pleased with Vance so far, I didn’t know he would be so good. Seems like he was a great choice
I agree. This guy is either lying or being a useful idiot.
Yeah Im not familiar with Signal..apparently its something that most use its just that who allowed Goldberg in, who had access to his phone number or email address and gave him permission to get in, that is the person that needs to be given the hook
Some heads need to roll!
All of them could have seen who was part of the group chat. It seems they all wanted this phoney journalist to read this and report it.
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