The Insecurity of National Security – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - March 30, 2025
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
The Insecurity of National Security – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - March 30, 2025
“Loose Lips; Sink Ships” – The nation’s capital erupted in controversy this past week, after a news reporter was inexplicably looped in a Signal text chain involving U.S. military operations targeting anti-U.S. Houthi rebels in Yemen. Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic received the texts between Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Gabbard and Ratcliffe insisted no classified intelligence matter was released by them, but left it up to Secretary Hegseth to say if any classified military matters were discussed. He said no, but others beg to differ.
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“Don’t Shoot the Messenger” -- At first, reporter Goldberg said he did not want to release the exact text information, fearing it could compromise operations and put troops in danger. He even sought out the White House’s wishes, which was more a professional courtesy because he had the right to publish. But the defense secretary took jabs at journalist Goldberg, whom he described as “deceitful and highly discredited.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said of Goldberg, “This entire story was another hoax written by a Trump-hater who is well-known for his sensationalist spin.” By Wednesday, with the White House still insisting nothing classified was included in the texts, the Atlantic went ahead and published them.
“Judge for Yourself” – Here is one of the texts from Secretary Hegseth, discussing the type of weapons being used and at which times. The texts did not include any target locations. Here is one sequence: “TIME NOW (1144et): Weather is FAVORABLE. Just CONFIRMED w/CENTCOM we are a GO for mission launch. 1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st Strike package). 1345: Trigger-based” F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location, so SHOULD BE ON TIME). Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s). 1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package). 1415: Strike Drone on Target (THIS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP). So, we have times and weaponry, but no locations. But Yemen knows it’s being watched. Imagine if this information were intercepted by the wrong hands? As a military parent, I am alarmed by such reckless and incompetent behavior.
“Reactions Abound” – As with any Washington, DC scandal, reactions run the gamut. When reporters questioned President Trump about his defense secretary’s Signal chat, Trump said, “How do you bring Hegseth into it? He had nothing to do with it.” Trump added, “It’s all a witch-hunt.” But it’s a legitimate question. Hegseth was the one dispensing military plans. That is a fact not in dispute. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) New York said, “For the defense secretary to coordinate war plans in such a haphazard and dangerous way, puts our national security, our troops, and every single American at risk.” The bigger problem for Trump and Hegseth is their own party. Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune (R) South Dakota said, “The important thing here is these guys (team Trump), they made a mistake, they know it. They should own it and fix it so that never happens again.” Sen. Roger Wicker (R) Mississippi, chair of the Armed Services Committee said, “The information as published recently appears to me to be of such a sensitive nature that, based on my knowledge, I would have wanted it classified.”
“Where’s the Investigation?” – Folks, every swipe on our cell phones and every keystroke on our computers leaves an electronic imprint. They are traceable fingerprints. Cyber security technology should be able to tell us when each participant in the Signal chat logged in and logged out, and should be able to tell us who allowed reporter Goldberg into the conversation. I heard one theory that says that since the Pentagon is facing huge DOGE cuts, this may have been an “inside job” to take out Hegseth. Who knows? In Washington, DC, anything can happen! Late Thursday, Federal Judge James Boasberg ordered the White House to preserve all Signal chat communications from March 11th through the 15th. And yes, it’s the same Judge Boasberg who ordered a halt to Trump’s deportation program.
“Deportation Appeals” – Strike two, on President Trump’s continued plans to deport suspected criminal aliens on flights to Central America. The U.S. District Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, upheld District Court Judge Boasberg’s ban on those flights. As I predicted weeks ago, the case is now U.S. Supreme Court-bound. My bet is that Trump, in his role as Commander-in-Chief, wins at the high court. Meanwhile, in other federal courts on Friday, judges temporarily stopped Trump’s dismantling of the Voice of America and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Appeals are likely.
“In 2026, It Will Again Be the Economy.” – Forget about the 2028 presidential election, for a moment, because there is one big hurdle between now and then. The 2026 midterms will determine control of both the U.S. House and Senate, and trouble is brewing concerning the economy. On Tuesday, the U.S. Conference Board issued its monthly consumer confidence report. For February, it dropped by 7.2 points, following a similar drop the month prior. It’s now at its lowest level in five years with many consumers saying they are worried about potential inflation and a possible recession. Combined with worries about the impact of tariffs, Wall Street financial markets dropped significantly be week’s end.
“Why This Matters?” – In fact, even before we get to 2026, there will be four special elections for U.S. House seats in 2025. Two are Republican seats where the incumbent resigned to join President Trump’s cabinet. Two are Democratic seats where the incumbent died. That means the Republicans’ 220 to 115 advantage after the election now stands at 218-213. The two GOP seats are solidly red, so their thin majority will likely survive, at 220-215. All the Democrats need to do is flip just 3 seats in 2026, and they are again in power. Republicans have a 53 to 47 advantage in the Senate, but are defending 22 seats next year, as opposed to 13 for Democrats. Again, the math could put Democrats in charge of both chambers, so I’d be careful of passing any legislation, policies, or orders that could hurt voters in their pocketbooks. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s name was suddenly withdrawn as the nominee to be Ambassador to the United Nations. Why? Her moderate New York district could flip “red-to-blue,” so she has to stay put.
“She Said What?” – In many cases, Democrats continue to be their own enemies. Recently, firebrand Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D) Texas, referred to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) Texas as, “Governor Hot Wheels.” Mind you that Abbott has been wheelchair-bound since age 26 when a tree fell on him while jogging, paralyzing him from the waist down. Despite that, Abbot has spent nearly four decades in public service as a Texas Supreme Court Justice, Attorney General, and Governor of Texas. Amidst a hailstorm of criticism for the “hot wheels” remark, Rep. Crocket said on X, "I wasn't thinking about the governor's condition. I was thinking about the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable.” Sen. John Cornyn (R) Texas isn’t buying it, going on X and calling Crockett’s remarks, “disgraceful" and "shameful."