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25 Mar, 23:45

Trump says he trusts his national security team despite leak scandal

US president added that his entire national security team works efficiently
US President Donald Trump Pool via AP
US President Donald Trump
© Pool via AP

WASHINGTON, March 26. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump said he trusted all members of his national security team, despite the recent scandal over the leak of data on US military strikes in Yemen.

"That man is a very good man right there that you criticize," the US leader said, referring to US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. "He's a very good man, and he will continue to do a good job."

Trump added that his entire national security team works efficiently.

"We have an amazing group. Our national security now is stronger than it's ever been," he said.

In Trump’s opinion, his political opponents paid too much attention to the subject. He also described Atlantic as a "failed magazine" that publishes made-up stories.

Leak scandal

Earlier, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg said in a story he published that he had got a request to join Signal, an encrypted messaging app, from a "Mike Waltz" on March 11. He was then included in a group chat dubbed "Houthi PC small group" with what appeared to be other top administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance.

For several days, "a fascinating policy discussion" was conducted in the chat, the story says. According to the editor, on March 15, user "Pete Hegseth" posted a message that contained details of planned strikes against the Houthis, including targets, weapons, and the estimated time of the start of the strikes, which, according to Goldberg, coincided with the time of publication of the first messages about the bombing on social networks.

Goldberg said that Brian Hughes, spokesman for the National Security Council, confirmed 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 said.

On March 15, the US started to carry out massive strikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen based on an order from President Donald Trump. The US Central Command said that the goal was to defend American interests and restore freedom of navigation.