One-sentence summary: A reckless Signal group chat involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other top officials exposed sensitive military plans, raising serious national security concerns and prompting calls for his resignation.
In a recent episode of The Opinions podcast by The New York Times, columnist and former Army JAG officer David French criticized the grave security breach caused by a Signal group chat initiated by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, which accidentally included Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg. Goldberg, who was added to the chat without his knowledge or consent, received real-time messages about planned U.S. military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including timing, methods, and potential targets-information that, if intercepted, could have compromised the mission and endangered American lives.
French emphasized the extraordinary nature of this breach, asserting that even unclassified sensitive operational details shared in such an insecure manner can still pose major risks. He strongly criticized the current administration’s downplaying of the event, including President Trump’s and Hegseth’s attempts to discredit Goldberg rather than confront the security implications. French pointed out that under standard military procedure, any officer involved in such a breach would face immediate suspension and possible criminal charges under federal law concerning gross negligence with national defense information.
The Pentagon had already warned against using apps like Signal for official communications, yet the chat continued without regard for those policies. French called for an immediate Department of Justice investigation, asking key questions about who was involved, how frequently such discussions occur via insecure channels, and why no accountability measures have been taken.
French contended that the administration’s failure to act not only undermines military professionalism and operational security but also contributes to a dangerous trend of politicizing the military. He warned that allowing politically loyal officials to escape consequences for actions that would destroy the careers of rank-and-file service members risks turning the U.S. military into a political tool, similar to those in authoritarian regimes. The erosion of accountability, he argued, is harmful to both military culture and national security. He concluded that if Hegseth had any honor, he should resign immediately.
French’s critique is not just about one breach but part of a larger pattern of disregard for the norms and ethics that underpin the professional U.S. military. The danger, he warned, is a permanent shift away from competence and accountability toward loyalty and impunity.
French, David, and Vishakha Darbha. “Opinion | The Worst Part of Pete Hegseth’s Group Chat Debacle.” The New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/opinion/pete-hegseth-security-breach-resign.html.
Key takeaways:
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and others used Signal to discuss sensitive military operations, including plans to strike Houthi targets.
- Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to the chat, receiving sensitive messages.
- The breach is described as extraordinarily serious and unprecedented by former Army lawyer David French.
- French argues that such a breach would end any officer’s career and potentially result in criminal charges.
- The administration has attempted to downplay the situation and discredit Goldberg, rather than pursue accountability.
- French warns that the incident reflects a broader erosion of military professionalism and increasing politicization.
Most important quotations:
- “This is an absolutely stunning breach of security.”
- “There is not an officer alive whose career would survive a security breach like this.”
- “The administration is saying now that there was nothing classified in the chat and they weren’t really war plans… They have claimed that there were no actual war plans shared.”
- “The way to handle a security breach like this is to… suspend [Hegseth] from his duties pending investigation.”
- “When you’re careless in the military, people can die.”
- “If the present course of action holds… then what you’ve had is a further reaffirmation that the American military is becoming a political military.”
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