The White House says the Yemen security breach is a hoax. Here’s why it’s not

The White House is obsessed with answering a national security scandal with a fiercely political argument, says Julian Zelizer .

Zelizer says the White House's main concern is protecting the president and his team.

He says it's too early to say whether the careers of top Cabinet members and officials are threatened or whether Trump himself might pay a political price.

The contempt by top officials for basic security precautions can only compromise the integrity of government.

General Hegseth posted information on timing, targets and weapons systems before attacks took place, according to details of chat posted by the Atlantic .

Normal practice in US military operations is to keep intelligence under tightest hold until all Americans are out of danger.

Houthi rebels now know the US has great visibility into granular movements in Yemen , either through satellite or airborne surveillance.

National security advisers have proven to be especially vulnerable: The president worked his way through four permanent appointees in the post in his first term. In February 2018 , for example, then- White House press secretary Sarah Sanders was asked about Trump ’s attitude towards his then-national security adviser H.R. McMaster . “He still has confidence in General McMaster ,” Sanders said. A month later , McMaster was gone. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com .