President Dismisses Calls for Firings Over Accidental Leak
President Donald Trump made it clear Saturday that he has no plans to fire anyone over the accidental leak of his administration’s airstrike plans against the Houthis in Yemen.
“I don’t fire people because of fake news and because of witch hunts,” Trump told NBC News’ Kristen Welker in an interview, firmly rejecting any pressure to shake up his national security team following the incident.
National Security Officials Remain in Trump’s Confidence
Trump reiterated his support for Mike Waltz, his national security adviser, and Pete Hegseth, his Pentagon chief, despite the misstep. The controversy began when Waltz inadvertently added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, to a Signal group chat where top officials were discussing the airstrike.
During the exchange, Hegseth detailed how the strike would unfold before it happened, leading to The Atlantic publishing an article that sent shockwaves through the national security establishment.
Despite the fallout, Trump stood by his team, emphasizing that his leadership style differs from his first term, which saw significant turnover in key positions.
Trump Rejects Talk of Firing Waltz
When asked if there had been discussions about removing Waltz over the leak, Trump shut down the speculation.
“I’ve never heard that. And nobody else makes that decision but me, and I’ve never heard it,” he said.
Trump’s stance signals a more stable approach to his administration’s internal dynamics, contrasting with his first term, when Mike Flynn, his first national security adviser, was ousted within weeks during the Russia investigation.
As Trump prepares for the challenges ahead, he remains resistant to outside pressure—especially from the media—to dictate how he manages his top officials.
