War Plans, Emojis, and Incompetence

By Greg Collier

Ten years ago, Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State was treated as a national scandal. Donald Trump built much of his 2016 campaign on chants of “Lock her up,” capitalizing on the perception that Clinton had carelessly mishandled classified information. The FBI launched a lengthy investigation. Congressional hearings were held. The media coverage was relentless. Clinton’s emails became a symbol of secrecy and elite impunity.

Now in 2025, those same national security standards appear to have been discarded by the very people who once demanded them. In an extraordinary act of incompetence and carelessness, the Trump administration’s top national security officials accidentally leaked military strike plans to a journalist. And not just any journalist. The recipient of the leak was Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic.

The Leak That Should Have Never Happened

According to Goldberg’s report, he was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat discussing planned U.S. airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen. The chat included some of the most senior figures in the Trump administration. Participants appeared to include Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and others.

These were not vague policy discussions. The messages reportedly included specific information about the timing of the attacks, the targets, and the weapons to be used. At first, Goldberg believed the chat was some kind of hoax. That changed when Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, sent detailed strike plans and confirmed that the operation was imminent. A few hours later, the airstrikes took place. Goldberg watched from afar as the military operation unfolded, then removed himself from the chat.

Senior officials in the group responded to news of the strikes with celebratory emojis.

The Problem with Pete Hegseth

Why is Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, in charge of the Pentagon? While Hegseth did serve in the military, his most recent job before being confirmed as Secretary of Defense involved political commentary, not managing national security. He had no experience leading military operations at this level. No experience running large federal agencies. No background in intelligence coordination.

His appointment was a clear example of the Trump administration’s pattern of valuing loyalty and media presence over professional qualifications. And now, it seems that this choice has led directly to a dangerous security lapse.

By transmitting military strike plans in an unsecured, unofficial group chat, Hegseth may have violated multiple federal laws. This was not a private conversation among friends. This was national defense information potentially shared with a member of the press before the operation occurred.

Where Is the Accountability?

Imagine for a moment that Hillary Clinton had done something similar. Imagine she had used a messaging app with disappearing messages to coordinate live military strikes. The uproar would have been immediate. There would have been wall-to-wall coverage and congressional hearings within days.

Instead, this administration has largely brushed off the incident. When asked about the report, President Trump dismissed it without offering a serious response. Yet, the National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the chat and stated that they are investigating how Goldberg’s number was added.

The hypocrisy is difficult to ignore. Many of the same individuals who once accused Clinton of endangering American secrets are now caught engaging in behavior far more reckless. The details of this group chat, including precise targeting and attack sequencing, represent a serious breach of operational security.

Is “Lock Him Up” Fair?

The Espionage Act prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of national defense information. The Federal Records Act requires government communications to be preserved. By using Signal, a messaging app not authorized for secure federal use, these officials may have violated both laws.

One U.S. official told reporters that a lower-ranking staffer would have been fired on the spot for such a breach. If that is true, then senior officials like Hegseth should not be exempt from consequences.

If the standard was to chant “Lock her up” over Clinton’s email practices, then “Lock him up” may be just as appropriate now. In this case, the evidence of recklessness is even more direct and the risks even greater.

A Pattern of Inexperience and Chaos

This is not an isolated incident. The Trump administration’s second term has been marked by a pattern of inexperience and disregard for government norms. A real estate developer is now in charge of peace negotiations in the Middle East and Ukraine. The Social Security numbers of former government officials were exposed in a data release. Elon Musk’s agency, the Department of Government Efficiency, pushed to fire nuclear safety staff before being forced to reinstate them.

These are not just quirky headlines. They are signs of a government increasingly run by people with little respect for process, expertise, or national security protocols.

Conclusion

The accidental leak of war plans to a journalist is not just an embarrassment. It is a breach of trust, a violation of law, and a threat to the safety of U.S. service members. It reflects a broader culture of carelessness and amateurism in the highest levels of government.

National security demands seriousness, discipline, and accountability. If there was ever a time to demand answers, and consequences, it is now. Because this time, it is not about a private email server. It is about war.