Trump rules out firing security team over Signal chat leak

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (left) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

US President Donald Trump has made it clear that he will not dismiss any officials over the accidental leak of his administration’s plans for an airstrike against the Houthis in Yemen. The leak, which involved National Security Adviser Mike Waltz mistakenly adding a journalist to an encrypted Signal chat, had sparked speculation about Waltz’s future in the administration.

Amid reports suggesting Trump was being advised to remove Waltz following the blunder, the president firmly denied any such considerations. In an interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker on Saturday, Trump stated, "I don’t fire people because of fake news and because of witch hunts."

Trump also expressed confidence in both Waltz and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, rejecting claims that there were discussions about firing his national security adviser. "I've never heard that. And nobody else makes that decision but me, and I’ve never heard it," he asserted.

The controversy arose when Waltz inadvertently added Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, to a Signal chat where top administration officials were discussing the planned airstrike against the Houthis. During the exchange, Hegseth reportedly shared details on how the strike would unfold before it was executed.

Goldberg’s inclusion in the conversation led to The Atlantic publishing an article exposing the internal discussions, sending shockwaves through the national security community.

Trump, who has faced significant staff turnover in his first term, appears determined to avoid similar instability this time. His first national security adviser, Mike Flynn, was forced out early in his administration amid the Russia investigation.

Trump has, however, remained resistant to external pressure, particularly from the media, when it comes to personnel decisions.