Summary of John Bolton reacts to news of Trump officials texting war plans to reporter
In the video, former National Security Adviser John Bolton reacts to the revelation that Trump administration officials communicated secret military plans through a Signal group chat. Bolton expresses shock and disbelief that such sensitive discussions were held on a non-official and potentially insecure platform, emphasizing that secure government communications should be utilized for official matters. He criticizes the lack of caution among participants, suggesting that discussions of this nature should occur face-to-face or through secure channels.
Bolton reflects on whether similar incidents occurred during Trump's first term, stating he is unaware of any such breaches of protocol. He also compares this situation to Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, questioning how officials could conduct government business through non-official channels, especially when secure options were available.
When asked if Trump officials broke the law with their actions, Bolton expresses skepticism about any potential legal repercussions, indicating a lack of faith in the current Justice Department to prosecute. He also doubts Trump's claim of being unaware of the situation, arguing that the President likely follows news coverage closely.
Regarding the security of the information shared, Bolton states he cannot confirm whether adversaries like China or Russia accessed the communications but reiterates the importance of using secure government channels for sensitive discussions. He discusses the handling of the situation by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, commending his decision to redact classified information but questioning why such a breach occurred in the first place.
Overall, Bolton's commentary highlights serious concerns about protocol, security, and accountability within the Trump administration.
Presenters/Contributors:
- John Bolton (Former National Security Adviser)
Notable Quotes
— 00:57 — « If you think signal is equivalent to U.S. government secure telecommunications, think again. »
— 01:56 — « It looks to me like this was a typical Donald Trump decision. Let's bomb the hoodies that then everybody raced to implement without talking about the implications. »
— 02:21 — « Ultimately, if people can't attend the Situation Room, you're on a secure government line. You're not on WhatsApp or signal. »
— 04:04 — « I have zero faith that this Justice Department will prosecute anybody. Zero. »
— 07:20 — « How could you? I don't know who put this chain together, but I wouldn't have such a. »
Category
News and Commentary