ISLAMABAD (PEN) : U.S. President Donald Trump has brushed aside concerns surrounding a leaked Signal group chat where top officials discussed plans for bombing Yemen. The controversy, first reported by The Atlantic, has drawn significant criticism, with Democratic senators calling the conversation “reckless” and “dangerous” due to its use of a non-secure messaging platform.
Trump Downplays the Leak
At a meeting with U.S. ambassadors, President Trump downplayed the controversy, asserting, “There was no classified information, as I understand it. It’s just something that can happen.” He ruled out taking any punitive action against those involved, including a ban on using the encrypted messaging app Signal or demanding an apology.
The leak emerged after The Atlantic editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed that he had accidentally been added to a Signal group chat discussing military strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The chat allegedly included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, among others. While Goldberg refrained from publishing military specifics, he characterized the conversation as “shockingly reckless.”
White House Response
The White House strongly rejected claims that classified information had been leaked. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused The Atlantic of sensationalism, stating, “No war plans were discussed. No classified material was sent to the thread.” At a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also denied any involvement in discussions related to classified information. Ratcliffe added, “I haven’t participated in any Signal group messaging that relates to any classified information at all,” although Gabbard declined to comment on her participation in the chat.
Despite these denials, Democratic lawmakers remained concerned about the potential national security risks. Senator Mark Warner, a senior Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, warned that if the Houthis had accessed the information, it could have allowed them to reposition their defense systems. Senator Ron Wyden went further, calling for the resignations of National Security Advisor Waltz and Secretary of Defense Hegseth.
Trump’s Criticism of The Atlantic
The leak has reignited Trump’s longstanding feud with The Atlantic, which previously published reports alleging that he had referred to fallen U.S. soldiers as “losers” and “suckers.” During the meeting, Trump referred to Goldberg as “a total sleaze bag” and accused The Atlantic of fabricating stories, adding, “They’ve made up more stories. They’re just a failing magazine. The public understands that.”
Trump also defended Waltz, who allegedly added Goldberg to the chat by mistake, calling him “a very good man.” Waltz, in turn, blamed journalists for “making big names for themselves by spreading lies about the president.”
Tensions Over U.S.-European Relations
Beyond national security concerns, the leaked messages have highlighted internal divisions within the Trump administration regarding U.S. foreign policy. One leaked message, reportedly from Vice President Vance, underscored the economic disparities between the U.S. and Europe. Vance noted, “3 percent of U.S. trade runs through the Suez [Canal]. 40 percent of European trade does. There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary.”
Although Vance initially suggested delaying the airstrikes, he later withdrew his objections while expressing frustration over Europe’s dependence on U.S. military actions.
National Security and Transparency Scrutiny
The Signal chat scandal has intensified scrutiny on the Trump administration’s national security protocols, raising concerns about diplomatic and military transparency. As investigations into the leak continue, the controversy is expected to keep the spotlight on both the administration’s handling of sensitive communications and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy.
