A major security mishap has emerged after a journalist was accidentally included in a private Signal chat where top Trump administration officials discussed sensitive US military plans targeting Yemen’s Houthis, as reported by Reuters. The blunder was first detailed in The Atlantic and was confirmed by the White House. The incident took place just days before President Trump authorised airstrikes on March 15.
The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg disclosed that he was mistakenly added in the group called ”Houthi PC small group”, where high-level US officials including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed the operational details. The discussions reportedly included sequence of attack, target locations, and the weapons that will be used.
Classified chat leaked
Goldberg termed the incident a ”shockingly reckless” use of a private messaging app. Despite Hegseth’s public refusal-”Nobody was texting war plans’’-Goldberg doubled down on CNN, stating, ”No that’s a lie. He was texting war plans,” as quoted by Reuters.
The chat reportedly included top leaders like CIA Director John Ratcliffe, US Vice President JD Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Some debated the timing and geopolitical impact of the strike, with Vance reportedly stating, ”I just hate bailing Europe out again,” about Red Sea disruptions.
White House launches internal probe
Democratic lawmakers condemned the leak. Senator Chuck Schumer called it ”one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence” in recent memory, whereas Elizabeth Warren labelled the use of Signal ”blatantly illegal and dangerous beyond belief.” Senator Chris Coons stated the officials involved ”committed a crime-even if accidentally.”
National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed the thread’s authenticity, terming it evidence of ”thoughtful policy coordination,” and insisted no security threats resulted. Trump, who claimed no knowledge of the incident, was later informed and the White House has started an investigation into the matter.
Despite the uproar, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that the President expressed full confidence in his national security team.
(With inputs from Reuters)