Trump officials mistakenly included a journalist in a Signal chat about Yemen strike plans. CNN
Senior officials from former President Donald Trump's administration accidentally shared highly sensitive military plans about strikes in Yemen with a journalist. The information was posted in a group chat on the messaging app Signal. The incident, revealed by The Atlantic, shocked US officials, who called it a serious national security risk.
The group chat, started by Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz, included key figures like Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They were discussing planned attacks on Houthi militants in Yemen. However, Waltz mistakenly added Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to the group.
Goldberg was able to read the messages as officials discussed strike timing, targets, and weapons. After the strikes were carried out, the officials praised themselves for a successful mission. Goldberg eventually left the chat, but the damage was already done.
When the story broke, Trump administration officials were stunned. Some feared that colleagues could be fired over the mistake. National security experts called the use of Signal for such classified discussions extremely reckless. They warned that hackers could have easily accessed the sensitive information, putting US military personnel at risk.
A former senior intelligence official described the situation as a “total breakdown in security.” They explained that senior officials have access to secure communication systems in their vehicles and offices, making it unnecessary to use unprotected apps like Signal for military planning.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who reportedly shared operational details, denied discussing war plans over text. When asked about the incident, he claimed, “Nobody was texting war plans.” He also criticized Goldberg, calling him “deceitful and highly discredited.”
Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, defended the administration, saying the president had full confidence in his security team. However, behind closed doors, officials began reviewing Signal’s use, fearing it had become too common for sensitive government discussions.
Signal is a popular encrypted messaging app used by journalists and officials worldwide. While it offers strong security, experts warned that even encrypted apps could be vulnerable to state-backed hackers. A recent report revealed that Russian-linked spies attempted to breach Signal accounts of Ukrainian military personnel.
When questioned about the incident, Trump dismissed the story, saying he didn’t know much about it. He also criticized The Atlantic, calling it a failing magazine.
Experts pointed out that under normal circumstances, such a breach could trigger a federal investigation. The Justice Department often prosecutes individuals for mishandling classified information. However, since top administration officials were involved, an investigation seemed unlikely.
The mistake drew sharp criticism from lawmakers. Some Republicans called it a “huge screw-up,” while others downplayed it. Meanwhile, Democrats expressed outrage, demanding answers from intelligence officials. They warned that sharing classified information on unprotected platforms could endanger American lives.
The incident highlighted the dangers of using unapproved communication apps for sensitive government business. It raised serious concerns about the Trump administration’s handling of national security information.
