The President's Daily Brief: Afternoon Bulletin Summary | April 7th, 2025

Host: Mike Baker, Former CIA Operations Officer
Release Date: April 7, 2025

Mike Baker delivers a comprehensive afternoon briefing addressing two pivotal developments affecting U.S. national security: the inadvertent inclusion of Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg in a sensitive Signal group chat discussing U.S. military actions in Yemen, and the surprising willingness of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq to disarm amidst escalating tensions with the Trump administration.

1. Signal Group Chat Mix-Up Involving Atlantic Editor Jeffrey Goldberg

Timestamp: [00:41]

Mike Baker opens the bulletin by delving into the unusual incident where Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to a high-level Signal group chat intended for senior Trump administration officials discussing potential military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This mix-up led to Goldberg being privy to classified deliberations, raising significant security concerns.

Incident Breakdown:

• Origin of the Mix-Up:

  • Timestamp: [02:15]
  • Goldberg had previously contacted the Trump campaign regarding a critical story questioning President Trump's views on wounded service members.
  • The campaign, in response, involved Congressman Mike Waltz, a national security surrogate, to address the concerns.
  • Timestamp: [03:45]
  • Waltz received Goldberg's email, which included his contact information. However, due to an iPhone's contact suggestion algorithm, Goldberg's number was erroneously saved under Trump campaign spokesman Brian Hughes' contact card.

• Creation of the Signal Group Chat:

  • Timestamp: [05:10]
  • In March, Waltz attempted to set up a Signal group chat titled "Houthi PC small group" to coordinate with top officials about U.S. military actions in Yemen.
  • Due to the earlier contact mix-up, Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to this group instead of Brian Hughes.

Internal Repercussions:

• Trump Administration's Response:

  • Timestamp: [06:50]
  • Upon discovering the breach, President Trump was reportedly furious, not only due to the security lapse but also because Goldberg is the editor of a magazine Trump openly despises.
  • Trump contemplated dismissing Waltz but ultimately decided against it to avoid negative media optics early in his second term and after the White House's internal review deemed the incident an unfortunate digital error.

• Technical Analysis:

  • Timestamp: [08:00]
  • A forensic audit by White House IT confirmed that an automatic contact suggestion update on an iPhone had merged Goldberg's number into the wrong contact card, labeling it as a "contact suggestion update gone wrong."

Statements and Quotes:

• Mike Waltz to Fox News:

  • Timestamp: [07:30]
  • Waltz stated, "Goldberg's number had been sucked into his phone," emphasizing that there was no prior communication intended between them.

• Jeffrey Goldberg's Response:

  • Timestamp: [07:55]
  • Goldberg commented, "I'm not going to comment on my relationship with Mike Waltz, beyond saying I do know him and have spoken to him."

Administration's Stance:

• Trump's Support for Waltz:
  • Timestamp: [07:10]
  • Despite the mishap, Trump has publicly supported Waltz. Just days after the incident, Trump was seen boarding Marine One with Waltz, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Personnel Chief Sergio Gore, signaling backing for Waltz despite the error.

Security Implications:

• Use of Signal:
  • Timestamp: [08:30]
  • Officials clarified that the White House had approved using Signal due to the lack of better real-time communication alternatives, aside from the designated secure phones. This incident underscores the vulnerabilities associated with widely-used encrypted messaging platforms in sensitive communications.

Mike Baker's Insight:

• Timestamp: [09:00]
  • Baker remarked, "Let this be a lesson for all of us, frankly. The next time you start a chat group to discuss bombing an Iranian proxy group, well, select your group members wisely."

2. Iranian-Backed Militias in Iraq Signal Willingness to Disarm

Timestamp: [10:03]

Transitioning to international affairs, Mike Baker reports a significant shift in the stance of several powerful Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. These groups are now prepared to disarm, aiming to avert potential U.S. military escalation under the Trump administration.

Key Developments:

• Militia Negotiations:

  • Timestamp: [10:15]
  • Leaders from four major militias, including Kataib Hezbollah—the most formidable Shiite faction in Iraq—have indicated that negotiations with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani are "very advanced."

• U.S. Pressure and Red Lines:

  • Timestamp: [11:00]
  • The Trump administration has maintained a strict stance against Iranian proxy attacks, emphasizing that U.S. tolerance for such actions has ended. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reiterated these red lines during a call with Sudani on March 16th, following U.S. strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
  • Hegseth warned, "Any future militia reprisals on US personnel or Israeli assets would trigger a decisive American response."

Militias' Strategic Shift:

• Timestamp: [11:45]

  • The militias, part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq overseen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), are reevaluating their positions in light of mounting regional setbacks.
  • Quote from Kataib Hezbollah Commander:
    • Timestamp: [12:30]
    • "We know Trump is ready to take the war to worst levels. We want to avoid such a bad scenario."

• Proposals Under Consideration:

  • Timestamp: [12:50]
  • Potential disarmament agreements include transitioning militias into political entities or integrating them into Iraq's national armed forces—paralleling past efforts to neutralize paramilitary threats.

Iran's Role and Regional Impact:

• Timestamp: [13:20]
  • The IRGC appears to be relaxing its control, allowing Iraqi proxies greater autonomy. This strategic pivot prioritizes the survival of these groups over ideological alignment as Iran faces significant challenges:
    • Regional Setbacks:
      • Hamas and Hezbollah have suffered heavy losses from Israeli bombardments.
      • The Houthis continue to face U.S. air assaults in Yemen.
      • The fall of Syrian President Assad in December has weakened Iran's influence in Syria, a key pillar of its regional strategy.

Iraqi Government's Position:

• Timestamp: [14:10]

  • Prime Minister Sudani is actively seeking to consolidate control over Iraq's armed forces. His foreign affairs adviser stated, "The government is pursuing constructive dialogue with various national actors to achieve that end."

• Militias' Tactical Adjustments:

  • Timestamp: [14:45]
  • Militias are enhancing their operational security by rotating phones, cars, and safe houses regularly to evade potential U.S. airstrikes.

Broader Implications:

• Timestamp: [15:00]
  • For Iraq, a nation historically caught between U.S. and Iranian interests, these developments suggest a potential realignment under renewed American pressure and the militias' pragmatic approach to survival.

Mike Baker's Analysis:

• Timestamp: [15:30]
  • Baker concludes, "For Iraq, a nation long caught between Washington and Tehran, the latest developments suggest that its balancing act may be tilting under renewed American pressure and the militia's instinct for survival."

Conclusion

Mike Baker wraps up the afternoon bulletin by underscoring the importance of staying informed about these critical developments. The inadvertent inclusion of a media figure in sensitive military discussions highlights vulnerabilities in digital communications within the highest levels of government. Simultaneously, the potential disarmament of Iranian-backed militias signals a strategic pivot in the region, influenced by both internal pressures and external military threats.

These stories collectively reflect the dynamic and often precarious nature of international relations and national security in the current geopolitical landscape. Stay tuned for further updates and in-depth analyses in future episodes of The President's Daily Brief.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Waltz to Fox News:
  "Goldberg's number had been sucked into his phone."
  [07:30]

• Jeffrey Goldberg:
  "I'm not going to comment on my relationship with Mike Waltz, beyond saying I do know him and have spoken to him."
  [07:55]

• Kataib Hezbollah Commander:
  "We know Trump is ready to take the war to worst levels. We want to avoid such a bad scenario."
  [12:30]

Contact & Feedback:
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Stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.