Key Takeaways
- The podcast explores the New York Times' decision to reveal a secret 2019 Navy SEALs operation.
- The mission, authorized by President Trump, aimed to plant a listening device in North Korea.
- The operation reportedly failed after an encounter with a North Korean vessel.
- The Times justified reporting to prevent underestimation of special operations risks by the public.
- Listeners and the host questioned the report's impact on national security and future missions.
Deep Dive
- The daily Smerconish.com poll questions whether the New York Times should have revealed a secret 2019 Navy SEALs operation in North Korea.
- The host noted the story's complexity, announcing future discussion with one of its authors later in the program.
- A secret 2019 SEAL Team 6 mission, authorized by President Trump, aimed to plant a listening device in North Korea.
- The operation reportedly failed when a North Korean vessel encountered the SEALs, leading to a confrontation.
- The New York Times report, titled "How a Top Secret SEAL Team 6 Mission into North Korea Fell Apart," detailed these events.
- New York Times national correspondent Dave Phillips, a co-author of the story, is scheduled to appear on the program.
- The 2019 Navy SEALs operation aimed to plant an eavesdropping device during nuclear talks to intercept Kim Jong-un's communications.
- This mission, which required presidential approval, reportedly failed due to three minor mistakes by the SEALs.
- The New York Times based its report on information from two dozen sources, including former military and government officials.
- The Times justified its report by stating that secrecy around special operations failures leads to an underestimation of risks by the public and policymakers.
- The host expressed discomfort with this justification, questioning if the public's perception of SEALs' infallibility truly increases risk for soldiers.
- The host questioned whether Kim Jong-un knew about the mission before the New York Times published, noting the Times stated this was unclear.
- It was speculated that North Korea likely discovered the SEALs' presence after two shell fishermen were killed and their bodies sunk.
- The host posits that Kim Jong-un now knows the U.S. invaded North Korean territory in 2019, with the Times' story revealing the details.
- Patrick Healy of the Times defended the reporting, stating that secrecy laws shield many actions influencing national security, preventing public awareness.
- Healy also stated the Times proceeds cautiously, withholding sensitive information that could compromise future operations.
- Listeners expressed concern that revealing such missions could lead to future repercussions and make future missions more difficult.
- The host referenced the Pentagon Papers case, asserting the Times had a legal right to publish but questioned the wisdom of this particular revelation.