KQED's Forum Fallout from Leaked Signal Chat Intensifies
Mar 27, 2025
Eric Schmitt, a senior national security correspondent for the New York Times, and Garrett Graff, a journalist and historian, dive into a staggering intelligence breach involving a leaked Signal chat among U.S. military officials. They discuss the fallout from sharing sensitive attack plans over unsecured channels and the implications for national security. The conversation also touches on the accountability lapses within the Trump administration, the potential risks to international alliances, and the ethical concerns surrounding military responses in a tumultuous geopolitical landscape.
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Hegseth's Missteps
- Pete Hegseth set up a classified briefing on the China war plan for Elon Musk without President Trump's knowledge.
- Hegseth, though a favorite of Trump, faces scrutiny, while focus shifts to Mike Waltz for the Signal leak.
Miller's Interpretation
- Stephen Miller's presence in the chat suggests ambiguity about Trump's intent for military action.
- Miller interpreted Trump's stance, not National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Veteran's Outrage
- A caller, Ron, who is a former Army captain, expressed outrage at the Signal leak.
- He stated that such a breach would lead to arrest, conviction, and dishonorable discharge for any other military member.