Yes, these idiots are idiots. Yes, using Signal to discuss classified things on personal devices is dumb, as is having no situational awareness and operational security with regards to being aware that someone unintended was included, and I am all for skewering Donny’s goons (and Donny) for it.
But are we overlooking something more significant?
The leaked Signal chat involving Trump-aligned national security figures, participants—including someone identified as Joe Kent—acknowledged there was no urgent reason to carry out a bombing that killed 53 people, including women and children. The discussion emphasized political optics over military necessity, with Pete Hegseth arguing the strike should demonstrate Trump’s strength versus Biden’s weakness. The justifications were framed around deterrence and freedom of navigation, but even Hegseth admitted it wasn’t really about the Houthis.
Given the lack of urgency and predictable civilian deaths, does this not constitute a war crime!? Does this leaked conversation provide the proof?
Updated 26 March: Full text of the conversation that included Atlantic Editor Jeffrey Goldberg. (Archive.is)
(IANAL, etc., etc.)