A major national security breach has come to light after The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, was mistakenly included in a private Signal chat among top Trump administration officials discussing military action in Yemen. The chat, involving Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, contained sensitive deliberations regarding strikes on the Iran-backed Houthi group.
Goldberg revealed the blunder in a report published Monday, explaining that he connected with Waltz on Signal on March 11 and was unexpectedly added to a group titled “Houthi PC small group” on March 13. Over the following days, he had access to classified discussions, including Vance’s reservations about the planned strike and operational details regarding the attack. The Trump administration launched the military operation against the Houthis on March 15, later announcing the success of the strikes.
Also Read – Trump Warns Dems on Backing Khalil: ‘Not a Great Issue,’ but ‘Better’ Than Opposing Deportation
White House officials have since acknowledged the mistake. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed the authenticity of the chat, stating, “We are reviewing how an incorrect number was added.” President Trump, when questioned about the leak, denied prior knowledge, responding, “You’re telling me about this for the first time.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later reaffirmed the president’s trust in his national security team.
The incident has sparked bipartisan outrage, with lawmakers criticizing the breach of protocol. Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) condemned the mishap, stating, “This administration is playing fast and loose with classified information, making Americans less safe.” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) emphasized the need for stricter security measures, adding, “Classified discussions should never be conducted on unsecured channels.”
Concerns over Signal’s vulnerabilities have also surfaced, as Russian intelligence has reportedly attempted to exploit the app. Cybersecurity experts warn that hacking a device could expose communications even without breaking Signal’s encryption.
During the internal deliberations, Vice President Vance expressed hesitation about the attack, citing economic implications and potential disruptions to trade through the Suez Canal. “There’s a real risk the public won’t understand this decision,” Vance noted. He also pointed out that the move might contradict Trump’s stance on European relations. Defense Secretary Hegseth and other officials pushed back, arguing that the U.S. had to take decisive action and emphasize Iran’s involvement.
Also Read – Trump Revokes Security Clearance for Biden, Harris, Clinton & Others
As discussions continued, a user believed to be National Counterterrorism Center head Joe Kent suggested delaying the strikes, stating, “We’ll have the exact same options in a month.” Despite this, the administration proceeded with the operation as planned.
Following the revelation of the leak, Goldberg contacted key officials, including Waltz, Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, for comment. The White House has since downplayed the incident, asserting that no operational security was compromised and that the administration remains unified in its approach to national security.
This stunning misstep has reignited debates about secure communications in government, with experts calling for a reevaluation of how classified information is handled. As investigations continue, lawmakers are pushing for reforms to prevent similar breaches in the future.
