David Cay Johnston on Trump's 'Amateur' National Security Team and Signal Group Chat Leak

"Amateur Hour" in National Security

• 🚨 Journalist David Cay Johnston criticizes Donald Trump's administration for appointing the "least qualified people on National Security in American history."
• 💡 Johnston labels the use of commercial messaging apps like Signal for discussing war plans as "real amateur hour," contrasting it with secure government communication systems.
• ⚠️ He argues that in any non-Trump administration, such a breach would lead to wholesale firings and criminal investigations.

The Signal Group Chat Incident

• 💬 A journalist was accidentally added to a Signal group chat including top officials like Pete Hegseth, JD Vance, and Mike Waltz, where sensitive information, including plans to bomb Houthis in Yemen, was discussed.
• ❌ Pete Hegseth's attempts to deny the discussion of war plans are dismissed by Johnston, who notes the White House's own confirmation of the chat's existence.
• 🔍 The incident highlights the use of insecure communication channels for discussing critical government policy and military actions.

Accountability and Leadership Failures

• 🚫 Johnston asserts that in a normal administration, officials like Pete Hegseth and Mike Waltz would be immediately fired, but this administration lacks accountability.
• ⚖️ He questions whether the actions violated the Espionage Act, concluding it's more a matter of sloppiness and unprofessionalism, compounded by a lack of willingness from figures like Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute.
• 🧠 Good leaders, unlike Trump's team, surround themselves with experienced advisors who can offer critical feedback, rather than "sycophants and yes men."

Broader National Security Concerns

• 🌍 Johnston criticizes the disrespect shown towards European allies, citing texts from officials expressing disdain for Europe.
• 🇺🇸 He notes that many Americans are not deeply engaged with foreign policy, contributing to a lack of public attention on these security lapses.
• 📉 The overall state of U.S. national security is described as "terrible," with a lack of understanding of geopolitics, geomarism, and diplomacy, leading to potential negative consequences.

Historical Parallels and Trump's Approach

• 🏛️ Johnston draws parallels between Trump's approach to accountability and Marxist-Leninist tactics, such as humiliating qualified individuals.
• 📧 He contrasts the current situation with the criticism Hillary Clinton faced for using a private email server, noting the lack of evidence of hacking on her system compared to State Department breaches.
• 🗣️ Trump's typical response of denial and labeling critical reporting as "fake news" is seen as a way to avoid accountability.