Trump’s Officials Accidentally Shared Military Plans with Journalist in Secure Chat

WASHINGTON — In a stunning breach of operational security, top national security officials from the Trump administration shared military plans for airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen through a secure messaging app, inadvertently including The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, in the discussion.

Just hours before the U.S. began its airstrikes on March 15, Goldberg was added to a Signal chat group by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. The group, referred to as the “Houthi PC small group,” discussed plans that included details about timing and targets for the military attack.

Goldberg received a message at 11:44 a.m. on that day confirming the operation, two hours before the first bombs fell. In the group, Waltz provided updates on the military’s readiness and operational details.

“Team, establishing a principals group for coordination on Houthis,” Waltz stated in the group text, outlining the urgency of actions in response to escalating Houthi attacks on international shipping and regional threats. The Houthi group has been linked to increased tensions in the Middle East and Iranian backing.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance were also part of the chat, along with various other national security officials, all discussing the planned strikes. This unprecedented communication method for such sensitive information has raised significant concerns about national security protocols.

Goldberg expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the chat initially, but confirmed it was real after hearing reports of explosions in Yemen at the predicted times.

“If this Signal chat was real, Houthi targets would soon be bombed,” recalled Goldberg, noting his disbelief shifted dramatically once the military action began.

Following the delivery of sensitive operational details via Signal, White House officials defended the communication method. “No classified material was sent to the thread, nor has there been any compromise of national security,” claimed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Hegseth later emphasized, “Nobody was texting war plans,” while asserting that internal communications were routinely coordinated through platforms such as Signal. Yet, experts have flagged the risks associated with using unsecured communication channels for military discussions.

In a segment with Fox News, Waltz accepted full responsibility for the incident while asserting that it was an oversight not intended to compromise any operations. “This was meant to be internal.”

The National Security Council is currently reviewing the incident, with Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the NSC, confirming the authenticity of the chat. “We are addressing how an inadvertent number was added,” he stated.

The ramifications of this breach have drawn concern from lawmakers, with Democrats calling it a “stunning breach of military intelligence.” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated, “American lives are on the line. The carelessness shown by Trump’s Cabinet is stunning and dangerous.”

While some congressional leaders have indicated a need for a thorough investigation, Republicans have expressed a more lenient stance, with House Speaker Mike Johnson suggesting there should be no severe repercussions for officials involved. “They were trying to do a good job; the mission was accomplished with precision,” Johnson remarked.

As the fallout continues, officials face scrutiny over their adherence to established protocols regarding the sharing of sensitive information. Legal experts remarked that discussing military operations in unsecure channels poses significant threats to national security.