Get Smart

So, top Trump national security officials, including his defense secretary, shared details of planned military strikes in Yemen via a secure group chat that included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. The messages contained operational details on targets, weapons, and attack sequencing for strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The National Security Council confirmed the texts appeared authentic. Trump initially denied knowledge of the breach but later joked about it. The U.S. launched airstrikes just two hours after Goldberg received the details. It remains unclear if the information was classified, but such details are typically kept secure for operational safety.

Just another day in chaos. Are we getting used to it yet?

Anyway, the whole blunder reminded me of “The Cone of Silence” from one of my favorite childhood TV shows, Get Smart, about an idiot spy named “Maxwell Smart.” Now the fictional incompetence has come to life in the Trump administration. It would be hilarious if the implications weren’t so serious.