Waltz’s statement followed Goldberg’s revelation that he had been inadvertently added to the group, which included high-profile officials such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Goldberg’s report in The Atlantic exposed the breach, which critics argue compromised national security by allowing a journalist to overhear classified discussions about military operations.

In a Fox News interview, Waltz acknowledged his role in creating the group but struggled to explain how Goldberg was added.

He blamed a “technical mistake,” saying that Goldberg’s name appeared similar to another person’s contact. Waltz further criticized Goldberg, calling him "the bottom scum of journalists" and suggesting that the incident was a result of a mix-up rather than any deliberate action.

While Waltz claimed no staffer was to blame, President Trump seemed to offer a contradictory explanation, suggesting that a lower-level staff member may have inadvertently shared Goldberg’s contact information.

According to The Guardian, Trump defended Waltz, dismissing the leak as a minor issue. However, the incident has drawn widespread condemnation from lawmakers, with Senator Mark Warner calling it an example of “sloppy, careless” handling of classified information.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Chris Coons also expressed concern, with Coons stating that the breach could constitute criminal behavior, even if accidental.

The leak raises questions about the use of Signal for sensitive communications, with some arguing that it may have violated provisions of the Espionage Act, as Signal is not approved for sharing classified information. The controversy continues to stir criticism over the handling of U.S. military secrets.

U.S. National Security Advisor Waltz has claimed responsibility for leaked Yemen military plan