Top U.S. national security officials under President Donald Trump, including the defense secretary and vice president, exchanged messages regarding war strategies for upcoming military operations in Yemen via a group chat on a secure messaging application that involved the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, as per a report by the magazine. A spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, Brian Hughes, acknowledged the authenticity of the communication chain and mentioned that they are investigating how an unintended recipient was included in the chat.
Initially, Trump claimed ignorance about the sharing of sensitive information, which was belatedly acknowledged two and a half hours after the incident was disclosed. The messages exchanged between Signal accounts linked to high-ranking Trump officials, such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Vice President J.D. Vance, reportedly contained operational specifics of forthcoming strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, encompassing target details, weapon deployment plans, and attack sequences, according to Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief.
While it remained uncertain if the military operation details were classified, such information is typically safeguarded to ensure the safety of service members and operational secrecy. The U.S. has carried out airstrikes against the Houthis following their aggressions towards commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023.
Shortly after Goldberg disclosed receiving information about the attack on March 15, the U.S. initiated a series of airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Hegseth, in response, criticized Goldberg as “deceitful” and a “discredited so-called journalist,” without clarifying the use of Signal for discussing the sensitive operation or Goldberg’s inclusion in the chat.
The White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, affirmed the president’s continued confidence in Waltz and the national security team. Trump initially distanced himself from the incident, later downplaying it humorously. The breach was met with condemnation from Democratic lawmakers, with calls for a comprehensive investigation into the breach in military intelligence protocols.
The dissemination of confidential information raised concerns as Hegseth’s office announced measures to counter leaks, including the potential use of polygraphs on defense personnel to identify sources of information leaks. Lawmakers from both sides expressed alarm over the breach, highlighting the gravity of compromised operational security and the need for immediate answers from the administration.
Critics underscored the significance of adhering to laws governing national defense information, emphasizing the stringent regulations outlined in the Espionage Act. The use of Signal for official communications has been acknowledged within government circles, with the app recognized for its enhanced security compared to conventional messaging platforms.
As the fallout unfolded, scrutiny intensified on Hegseth, a former Fox News Channel personality, with Senator Tammy Duckworth criticizing him as the “most unqualified Secretary of Defense in history” for allegedly leaking classified war plans.
