We Can Do Hard Things Podcast Summary

Episode: Who Said What in that Group Chat Debacle & Is MAGA Starting to Fracture? | Jessica Yellin
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Host/Guest: Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, Amanda Doyle, Jessica Yellen
Notable Guest: Jessica Yellin

1. Introduction to the Group Chat Controversy

The episode delves into a significant national security controversy involving Jeffrey Goldberg, the Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, who was unknowingly added to a sensitive group chat among top White House officials on the encrypted messaging app Signal. This group included high-ranking figures such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and the White House Chief of Staff.

Quote:
Amanda Doyle [04:11]: "This is the first story that is starting to stick, that is generating criticism from some Republicans."

2. The Signal Group Chat Incident

Jeffrey Goldberg discovered he was part of a private Signal group chat where discussions about classified intelligence, specifically regarding a planned U.S. attack on the Houthis in Yemen, were taking place. The group began deliberating the attack before its execution, with Secretary Hegseth providing detailed operational plans mere hours before the strike.

Quote:
Jessica Yellen [07:20]: "He didn't report it for days and days and days and days, weeks. What did he do?"

3. Jeffrey Goldberg’s Response and Integrity

Upon receiving these messages, Goldberg initially suspected a phishing scam but soon realized the authenticity of the communications when real-time events confirmed the planned attack. Demonstrating commendable integrity, Goldberg refrained from immediate reporting, consulted with national security advisors, and ultimately removed himself from the chat to prevent any compromise of national security.

Quote:
Amanda Doyle [08:35]: "He did not report it for days and days and days, weeks. What did he do? He approached... and removed himself from the chat."

4. Administration’s Reaction and Denials

The Trump administration responded defensively, with officials like Hegseth attacking Goldberg’s credibility and dismissing the seriousness of the breach. Despite the administration's claims that nothing was classified, the details shared in the chat contradicted these assertions, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in national security protocols.

Quote:
Abby Wambach [22:14]: "Right? And you have said it is not classified. If you, I mean it."

5. National Security Implications and Comparisons

The episode draws parallels between this incident and Hillary Clinton’s email scandal, emphasizing the gravity of sharing active war plans on unsecured platforms. Unlike Clinton's situation, where the information was relatively benign, the group chat incident involved operational details that could have endangered American lives if intercepted by adversaries.

Quote:
Amanda Doyle [49:28]: "Compare that to sharing active war plans prior to our troops taking off to execute on them. No comparison."

6. Congressional and Media Reactions

Congressional hearings were swiftly organized, with senators questioning officials like Gabbard and Ratcliffe about their roles in the chat. The administration struggled to provide coherent explanations, leading to increased scrutiny from both traditional media and outlets like Fox News and The New York Post, which began to challenge the administration's narrative.

Quote:
Jessica Yellen [45:33]: "The House is grilling them today, which will be interesting... this is the first day that the full texts have been revealed."

7. Fracturing Within the MAGA Movement

The controversy has begun to erode the unified front of the MAGA movement. Influential Republicans and MAGA supporters started expressing skepticism and criticism towards the administration's handling of the situation. Figures like Laura Loomer publicly denounced the administration's hypocrisy, signaling potential fractures within the movement.

Quote:
Amanda Doyle [62:03]: "For the first time, we're seeing Republicans in Congress... emboldened to be moderately concerned, critical."

8. Calls for Accountability and Future Implications

The hosts discuss the urgent need for investigations into the breach, including potential FBI inquiries and reviews of communication protocols within the government. The episode underscores the critical importance of safeguarding classified information and the broader implications for democratic accountability and governance.

Quote:
Amanda Doyle [59:04]: "There should be a top to bottom review of government practice and are they using signal and are they getting kicked off of using signal?"

9. Encouraging Positive Action and Civic Engagement

In a concluding segment, the hosts highlight the growing public resistance against the administration's policies, such as boycotts of companies compromising on diversity policies. They emphasize the power of consumer choices in influencing corporate and political landscapes.

Quote:
Amanda Doyle [63:12]: "It's a whole new take on the power of the purse... to withhold from the correct places and invest in the correct places."

Conclusion

This episode of We Can Do Hard Things provides a comprehensive analysis of a critical national security lapse within the Trump administration, exploring the ramifications for political integrity, national safety, and the unity of the MAGA movement. Through detailed discussion and insightful commentary, the hosts shed light on the complexities of political accountability and the importance of responsible communication within government ranks.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Amanda Doyle [04:11]: "This is the first story that is starting to stick, that is generating criticism from some Republicans."
• Jessica Yellen [07:20]: "He didn't report it for days and days and days and days, weeks. What did he do?"
• Amanda Doyle [08:35]: "He did not report it for days and days and days, weeks. What did he do? He approached... and removed himself from the chat."
• Abby Wambach [22:14]: "Right? And you have said it is not classified. If you, I mean it."
• Amanda Doyle [49:28]: "Compare that to sharing active war plans prior to our troops taking off to execute on them. No comparison."
• Jessica Yellen [45:33]: "The House is grilling them today, which will be interesting... this is the first day that the full texts have been revealed."
• Amanda Doyle [62:03]: "For the first time, we're seeing Republicans in Congress... emboldened to be moderately concerned, critical."
• Amanda Doyle [59:04]: "There should be a top to bottom review of government practice and are they using signal and are they getting kicked off of using signal?"
• Amanda Doyle [63:12]: "It's a whole new take on the power of the purse... to withhold from the correct places and invest in the correct places."

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the key discussions and insights while providing context for listeners unfamiliar with the content.