Mike Waltz, the US National Security advisor, accepted full responsibility for the group chat in which senior Trump administration officials criticised Europe while preparing attacks against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
I accept full responsibility. Waltz told Fox News on Tuesday, “I created the group,” but he was unsure of how Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, who released the text thread’s details, was included. Regarding the shocking disclosure that detractors claim has jeopardised US national security, Waltz acknowledged that it is embarrassing.
In the story-breaking report, Goldberg claims to have seen classified military plans for US operations in Yemen as well as in-depth discussions amongst US officials criticising what they called “European freeload.”
I completely agree with you that European freeloading is abhorrent. When discussing how Europe would gain more from unblocking trade lines by strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen than the US, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is claimed to have commented, “It’s pathetic.” As Vice President JD Vance said, “I just hate bailing Europe out again” and questioned the need for quick strikes.
Washington officials also talked about possible measures to make Europe pay for the United States’ protection of important Red Sea commerce lines.
Waltz said Fox News he didn’t know the journalist and that another, anonymous contact was meant to be there in Goldberg’s place, but he was unable to explain how Goldberg got added to the group.
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