In a startling revelation, The Atlantic has published detailed Signal group chat messages exchanged among high-ranking Trump administration officials concerning planned military strikes in Yemen. The chat inadvertently included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, leading to significant national security concerns.
The group chat, organized by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, comprised key figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Discussions encompassed precise operational details, including weapon specifications and timing for the strikes against Houthi rebels. Notably, Hegseth shared sensitive information about the targets and weapons for the strike.
On Monday, after the Atlantic published a story about the massive Trump-administration security breach, a reporter asked the secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, why he had shared plans about a forthcoming attack on Yemen on the Signal messaging app. He answered, “Nobody was texting war plans. And that’s all I have to say about that.”
Similarly, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe have denied that any classified material was disclosed.
The inadvertent inclusion of a journalist in such a sensitive discussion has sparked bipartisan concern and criticism. Senate Democrats have expressed intentions to obtain full transcripts to verify the content of the communications, with further hearings planned by the House Intelligence Committee.
While Trump continues to call it a mere ‘glitch,’ lawmakers are calling for Hegseth to resign.