National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong were removed from the National Security Council following a Signal chat leak, where a journalist was inadvertently added to a group discussing military operations against Yemen terrorists. The incident, which occurred in March, sparked criticism and controversy, particularly among Democrats, but the Trump administration defended Waltz, asserting no classified information was compromised. President Trump confirmed some staff dismissals at the NSC related to the leak, emphasizing the need for a trustworthy team and stating the administration's ongoing success against the Houthis. Despite the fallout, the White House expressed continued support for Waltz, and measures were implemented to prevent similar security breaches in the future. The administration maintained that the case was closed, underscoring the effectiveness of Trump's national security team in enhancing U.S. safety.

Mike Waltz, along with his deputy Alex Wong, was ousted from the National Security Council after a leaked Signal chat, which included a journalist, revealed discussions on military strikes against Houthis in Yemen.

The leak became public when The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, shared a firsthand account of being added to the chat, which featured top national security officials like Waltz, Pete Hegseth, and John Ratcliffe.

Waltz admitted responsibility for the inclusion of the journalist in the chat and described the situation as embarrassing, committing to investigate the breach further.

The White House and President Trump defended Waltz, arguing that no classified information was shared in the chat and highlighting the administration's achievements in countering threats from the Houthis.

President Trump acknowledged the dismissal of a few NSC members due to the leak, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and competency within his national security team.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the case was considered closed, with the administration implementing measures to prevent future incidents and reiterating Waltz's key role in the national security team.

Despite the controversy, Trump's administration continued to focus on its broader national security objectives, including diplomacy to end the conflict in Ukraine and addressing threats from China.