The President's Daily Brief – Afternoon Bulletin

Episode: December 4th, 2025: Deadly Terror Attack Thwarted in Delaware & Signalgate Findings Released

Host: Mike Baker
Podcast: The President’s Daily Brief (PDB)
Release Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In today’s Afternoon Bulletin, host Mike Baker delivers vital updates on two major national security stories:

• The thwarting of a potential mass shooting at the University of Delaware, with chilling details on the suspect and investigation.
• The long-awaited Pentagon Inspector General findings on “Signalgate,” concerning Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's misuse of encrypted messaging for sensitive military discussions.

The tone remains urgent yet matter-of-fact, with Baker providing analysis, context, and his trademark dry skepticism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Delaware Terror Attack Thwarted

[00:35 – 06:32]

Incident Summary

• A 25-year-old University of Delaware student, Lukman Khan, a Pakistani immigrant, was arrested after police discovered an arsenal of weapons and attack plans in his vehicle.
• The arrest was made during a routine late-night patrol in a closed public park when Khan’s truck seemed suspicious.

Evidence Found

• Arms and tactical gear discovered in the vehicle included:
  • Loaded handgun, extended magazines, a conversion kit (to convert a pistol into a semi-automatic rifle), body armor, binoculars, laptop.
  • Notably, a notebook with hand-drawn diagrams of the University of Delaware Police Department building, including:
    • Labeled entry/exit points
    • Notes on tactical movement
    • Warfare technique references
    • One campus officer directly named
    • Repeated references to “martyrdom”

"Khan allegedly wrote about the desire to die a martyr, calling it one of the greatest things you can do."
— Mike Baker [02:22]

• Authorities are still investigating motivation, digital history, and ideological profile.
• Subsequent search of Khan’s residence yielded:
  • More weapons (AR-style rifle, illegal Glock handgun modification), hollow point ammunition, more tactical gear, second ballistic vest.
  • None of the firearms were legally registered.

Significance and Prevention

• The plot was “close to being carried out” and only uncovered due to routine police suspicion—not through intelligence tips or reports from associates.

“No intelligence tip. No alert from a family member. No warning sign from classmates. Just basic patrol work that stops something potentially catastrophic.”
— Mike Baker [04:58]

• Khan is charged federally for illegal machine gun and unregistered firearms possession; more charges are likely.

Current Status

• Khan remains in custody without bail.
• The University assures there is no ongoing threat to campus at this time.
• Ongoing investigation into deeper motives and connections.

2. Pentagon Inspector General’s “Signalgate” Report

[07:32 – 11:22]

Background

• In spring 2025, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth used personal Signal app chats to discuss timings and sensitive details of US military strikes in Yemen.
• Incident escalated when a journalist was accidentally added to a group chat, exposing discussions to the public.

Inspector General Findings

• The report (public excerpts only at this time) concludes:
  • Hegseth violated Pentagon policy by using unsecured personal devices and a non-approved commercial app for highly sensitive discussions.
  • This conduct “created an unnecessary and avoidable risk to U.S. personnel.”

“Did it really take this long to come up with that conclusion?”
— Mike Baker (with dry sarcasm) [08:38]

• No evidence of deliberate classified information leaks is alleged.
• Inspector General acknowledges the Secretary of War has broad declassification authority.
• However, using Signal on a personal phone was outside any authorized channel, especially for military operations.

“Even though Signal is encrypted, it’s not authorized for transmitting operational details, especially not from a personal device. And in this case, the accidental inclusion of a journalist…exposed war planning discussions that should never have been visible outside secure…channels.”
— Mike Baker [09:57]

Official Responses

• Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell maintains that no classified info was exposed and says, “the department considers the issue resolved. Nothing to see here.” [10:43]
• White House and President Trump echo a similar line, regarding the matter as a communications mistake, not a breach of loyalty or trust.
• Hegseth’s position appears secure.

Broader Implications

• The report highlights dangers of senior leaders setting negative precedents—for others to take similar risky shortcuts.
• The accidental group chat inclusion risked operational security for US forces.

“When the person at the top of the chain uses informal back channels…it encourages others to take similar shortcuts. And that, of course, can have obvious bad consequences for U.S. forces that are in harm’s way.”
— Mike Baker [10:27]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What makes this even more chilling is how close the alleged plot may have been to being carried out. Police stumbled on Khan by accident.” [04:24]
• On the Pentagon’s conclusion: “Did it really take this long to come up with that conclusion?” [08:38]
• On the dangers of leadership setting poor protocols: “Senior leaders set the tone for the entire department. Of course they do…” [10:22]

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:35–06:32 | Delaware terror attack: Details, evidence, police work | | 07:32–11:22 | Signalgate: Background, findings, official reactions, implications |

Overall Takeaways

• Police vigilance and “basic patrol work” remain vital to preventing catastrophic attacks, even when intelligence and social circles offer no warning.
• Breaches of security protocols at the highest Defense Department levels—intentional or accidental—can have ripple effects throughout the armed forces, underscoring the importance of secure communications, leadership example, and institutional accountability.
• The episode’s tone is one of cautious gratitude (for prevention of tragedy) and wary skepticism toward official assurances.

This concise, information-rich episode equips listeners with key facts and context needed to understand both the Delaware plot and the Pentagon’s latest scandal.