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Mike Waltz faces new scrutiny over public Venmo account
Mike Waltz is facing increased pressure following his involvement in the Signalgate controversy, where he included a prominent national security journalist in a group chat regarding airstrikes in Yemen.
In addition to this scandal, reports have emerged revealing that he left his Venmo contacts list publicly accessible, a situation that persisted until journalists inquired about it yesterday.
A report by Wired highlights that the disclosure of his Venmo account potentially exposed the identities of hundreds of Waltz’s personal and professional contacts, which includes journalists, military personnel, lobbyists, and others. This data could be leveraged by foreign intelligence agencies or other entities for various purposes, claim experts.
Notable individuals identified among the contacts include Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, and Walker Barrett, a staff member on the National Security Council, both of whom participated in the contentious Signal group chat named ‘Houthi PC small group.’
Updated at 14:03 CET
Waltz’s Venmo list became a topic of interest only after several media outlets raised questions about its public availability, leading to its removal from view shortly thereafter. The White House has refrained from making any statements regarding this matter.
Waltz is already under scrutiny for his participation in the “Signalgate” scandal, which involved a journalist being added to a chat that discussed airstrikes on Houthi forces in Yemen, a platform for sharing sensitive national security information.
According to Wired, this incident involving Waltz’s Venmo account indicates a broader trend of what some national security experts categorize as careless conduct by high-ranking officials in the U.S. government.
Waltz’s contacts on Venmo reportedly numbered 328 and included White House officials, such as Susie Wiles, chief of staff to Donald Trump, former associates in the U.S. House, and notable journalists from networks including Fox News and CNN.
Interestingly, the contact list included Ivan Raiklin, a controversial figure known for his involvement in far-right politics, who has made headlines for his claims of being Trump’s “secretary of retribution.”
Wired pointed out that Waltz is not the only Trump administration figure who left their Venmo friends list public; Wiles had also done so.
A Venmo spokesperson stated, “We prioritize our customers’ privacy, which is why we make it straightforward for users to adjust their privacy settings.”
Both Wired and The Atlantic, the latter of which initially broke the Signalgate story, have highlighted ongoing issues related to online security within Trump’s inner circle.
As the fallout continues, the implications of these scandals extend beyond individual accountability.
For instance, Pete Hegseth, who transitioned from Fox News to the Pentagon, finds himself in a precarious position amid these revelations. Jennifer Griffin, the chief national security correspondent for Fox News, indicated that while Waltz set up the Signal chat, it was Hegseth who revealed highly sensitive information, broadcasting it to entirely unsecured devices.
Griffin, on X, examined Hegseth’s rhetoric, noting that while he claimed not to have disclosed “war plans,” what was shared may have posed a greater risk due to the specific operational details and timing related to upcoming strikes.
Experts have commented that the kind of real-time operational information discussed was likely more sensitive than mere “war plans,” thus making the incident a serious lapse in protocol.
In Washington, the media is now referring to the situation as Signalgate, with considerable attention on the future of both Waltz and Hegseth amid ongoing controversies.
Reports suggest that Waltz’s standing within the White House had already been precarious prior to these events. Some insiders are now stating that his credibility is waning due to perceived dishonesty, indicating that he could soon be viewed as a liability for the administration.
However, there are also indications that he may be spared immediate consequences, as there is reluctance within the administration to allow a public relations victory to the journalists involved.
As this story evolves, there is speculation about how it might affect broader national security protocols and the management of sensitive information within the government.
Source
www.theguardian.com