ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The Trump administration is under intense scrutiny after a significant intelligence breach exposed sensitive military strategies. Investigative journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, revealed that he was mistakenly added to a private Signal group chat where high-ranking U.S. officials discussed classified plans for military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Accidental Invitation Exposes Sensitive Information
On March 13, Goldberg discovered he had been inadvertently included in a group chat titled “Houthi PC small group” that consisted of top officials from President Donald Trump’s national security team. These included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Within this chat, discussions centered around imminent U.S. military operations, including detailed plans for weapons deployment, target locations, and the timing of airstrikes on the Houthi rebel forces.
Goldberg initially dismissed the messages as a hoax. However, just days later, U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, confirmed the operation. A Houthi spokesperson claimed that at least 53 people were killed in the attacks, though the U.S. government has not verified these figures.
The leak raised immediate national security concerns. Experts warn that the exposure of such sensitive information in a non-secure chat, especially one that included a journalist, could have endangered U.S. personnel and compromised military operations.
Political Fallout and Calls for Investigation
The revelation triggered outrage among lawmakers, particularly from the Democratic Party, who have called for a thorough investigation into the breach. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described the incident as one of the most serious intelligence lapses in recent history, urging for an immediate inquiry. The Senate Armed Services Committee, led by Republican Senator Roger Wicker, also confirmed that they would launch an investigation into the matter.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to downplay the controversy, reaffirming President Trump’s confidence in his national security team while defending the military operation’s success. However, when questioned by reporters, Trump appeared unaware of the situation, stating, “I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of The Atlantic.”
Internal Tensions and Disagreements
Goldberg’s report further revealed internal conflicts within the Trump administration regarding the strikes. In one chat exchange, Vice President Vance expressed concerns over the operation’s timing and potential economic consequences, particularly its impact on oil prices. Despite his reservations, Vance ultimately supported the operation but stressed the importance of effective public messaging.
The chat also revealed Vance’s frustration with European allies, accusing them of benefiting from U.S. military interventions without sufficient contribution. “I just hate bailing Europe out again,” Vance reportedly wrote, with Hegseth agreeing, calling European reliance on U.S. support “pathetic.”
Concerns Over Security Protocols
The breach has raised serious questions about the security protocols within the Trump administration. While Signal is known for its encrypted communications, it does not meet the stringent encryption standards required by U.S. government agencies. Security experts argue that using a non-governmental platform to discuss such sensitive matters exposes vulnerabilities in the handling of classified information.
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, addressed the issue on social media, stating, “Any unauthorized release of classified information is a violation of the law and will be treated as such.” Legal experts also warned that the use of disappearing messages on Signal could violate federal record-keeping laws, as these messages are automatically deleted, preventing proper documentation of governmental actions.
White House Response and Ongoing Investigations
National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes confirmed that the leaked messages appeared authentic and acknowledged that an unauthorized individual had been added to the chat. “We are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain,” he said, emphasizing the coordination within the senior leadership team.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, however, denied the allegations that military plans were openly discussed in the chat, stating, “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.” Goldberg swiftly challenged Hegseth’s denial, asserting, “No, that’s a lie. He was texting war plans.”
With multiple investigations now underway, the White House faces mounting pressure to address both the security lapse and the larger issues surrounding the handling of sensitive intelligence. As Congress prepares for hearings, this incident could have far-reaching implications for how classified military decisions are communicated and managed within the U.S. government.
