Last week, The Atlantic‘s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed that he had been accidentally added to a Signal group chat where senior government officials were discussing ongoing military operations. While no classified information was reported to have been shared, the breach raised serious concerns about judgment, digital communication practices, and operational security at high levels of government.
Rather than acknowledge the seriousness of the situation, Rep. Keith Self—who represents Texas’s 3rd Congressional District—chose to downplay it.
“A Mountain Out of a Molehill”
In a March 25 post on X (formerly Twitter), Rep. Self wrote:
“My take on the Jeffrey Goldberg story — as a retired Green Beret who served as a military planner for 10 years: Fast-moving operations require decentralized decision-making, which sometimes includes rapid digital comms. Let’s not make a mountain out of a molehill.”
In one post, Rep. Self not only dismissed concerns about the breach but used his military background to justify the handling of what many experts agree was, at minimum, a serious lapse in judgment.
Coming from a congressman who has built a reputation on emphasizing discipline, readiness, and national security, this response was not only surprising—it was deeply disappointing.
A Shift in Standards
This is the same Rep. Self who has criticized the Biden administration on multiple national security issues, from border security to foreign military aid to tactical decision-making in conflicts abroad. In November 2024, he expressed concern about President Biden authorizing Ukraine to use long-range missiles, arguing that it escalated conflict without adequate congressional oversight.
That track record makes his current defense of a real-time, unsecured chat about military operations all the more puzzling. It raises the question: Are accountability standards only to be applied when political opponents are in charge?
Military Service as a Shield?
Rep. Self’s service record as a Green Beret and military planner is commendable. His experience should make him even more attuned to the risks of careless operational communication—especially in a world where digital missteps can have international consequences.
But invoking that record to excuse this mishandling of information feels less like leadership and more like deflection. When someone with his credentials says a security breakdown is no big deal, it risks normalizing behavior that should concern all Americans—especially those who’ve served.
Not a Partisan Issue—A Leadership One
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about Democrats vs. Republicans. It’s about responsibility and consistency. If this incident had occurred under the Biden administration, would Rep. Self have shrugged it off as “a molehill”? Based on his past comments, the answer is almost certainly no.
We need elected officials who hold everyone to the same standard—friends and foes alike. Public trust depends on it.
A Call for Integrity in TX-3
The residents of Texas’s 3rd Congressional District deserve better than political double standards. We deserve leaders who don’t dismiss obvious lapses just because their allies are involved. We deserve honesty, transparency, and a clear commitment to secure, responsible governance.
Rep. Self doesn’t need to demand resignations or join partisan outrage. But the least he could do is admit that this situation was a mistake—and let the American people know it shouldn’t happen again.
That’s not weakness. That’s leadership.
