1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

There must be accountability for the disturbing breach of confidential military operational details being carelessly shared in an insecure group chat. The Atlantic's report reveals an alarming lapse in operational security protocols with Trump administration officials blatantly discussing specific timing, targets, and munitions used in airstrikes against Houthi militants. This egregious mishandling of classified information jeopardizes not only the success of military operations but more importantly endangers the lives of U.S. service members carrying out those missions. While inadvertent, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz's invitation of a journalist into the classified group chat was an unacceptable error that enabled this serious leak. There is no excuse for such a significant breach at the highest levels of government regarding active combat operations. Swift action must be taken to investigate how these breakdowns occurred, hold those responsible accountable through appropriate disciplinary measures, and implement safeguards to prevent any future repetition of this inexcusable violation of protocols designed to protect sensitive national security information. The American people deserve full transparency regarding this incident and assurance that the robust handling of classified data will be treated with the utmost professionalism and highest security standards by administration officials entrusted with such vital responsibilities. Our military forces put their lives on the line based on the integrity of operational plans - negligence of this magnitude erodes that critical trust. Decisive measures are required to reaffirm the confidentiality and integrity of national security processes.