In a shocking turn of events, the White House admitted on Thursday to unintentionally exposing the identities of several U.S. special forces members during Joe Biden’s recent trip to Israel. The error occurred when a photograph of Biden with the troops was posted on Instagram, violating the standard protocol of blurring the faces of special forces members in official images to protect their identities.
The Biden administration was quick to rectify the mistake. “As soon as this was brought to our attention, we immediately deleted the photo,” the White House said in a statement. “We regret the error and any issues this may have caused.”
The White House is apologizing after doxxing the identities of multiple US Special Forces servicemen operating in Israel, posting uncensored photos on social media for an hour before realizing the screw up.
This was between a cancelled Aman Summit, giving Gaza another $100… pic.twitter.com/T23qvlulkv
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 19, 2023
The photo was originally shared to document Biden’s meeting with first responders following a military operation in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli forces were combating Hamas terrorists. The image was meant to highlight the President’s gratitude for the bravery of those responding to the attacks.
However, the blunder did not go unnoticed. Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) condemned the photo op, stating, “This Biden Administration photo op compromised the safety of American special forces in Israel. While we should all recognize and appreciate their service, we shouldn’t do so in a way that undermines their mission or puts them in additional danger.”
Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) succinctly called the mistake “Gross incompetence.”
NEW: The White House admits they accidentally doxxed US Special Forces by posting an uncensored photo of them w/ Biden in Israel.
WH: “As soon as this was brought to our attention, we immediately deleted the photo. We regret the error and any issues this may have caused.”
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 19, 2023
The incident comes as the Pentagon announced that approximately 2,000 U.S. service members were on alert for potential deployment to Israel, with an additional 5,000 sailors sent to the Mediterranean aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier.
It’s important to note that the Biden administration has not committed to deploying combat troops to the Gaza Strip. Yet, the unnecessary exposure of these special forces’ identities adds an additional layer of risk to an already volatile situation.
The swift action the White House took to delete the photo and apologize for the error is commendable. However, the incident raises questions about the administration’s attention to detail and commitment to the safety and security of our military personnel.
The ramifications of this mistake should not be taken lightly. Exposing the identities of special forces members can have serious consequences, not only for the individuals involved but also for the security and success of their missions. The administration must take the necessary steps to prevent such errors in the future and prioritize the safety and security of our troops.
As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, the U.S. must remain vigilant in supporting its allies and its commitment to protecting American interests abroad. The safety and security of our military personnel should be of the utmost importance, and this incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for careful and thoughtful communication in the digital age.
