In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through Washington, it has come to light that top officials from the Trump administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, engaged in a group chat on the messaging app Signal to discuss plans for military strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The White House confirmed that journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was included in this conversation and received advanced information ahead of the strikes announced by President Donald Trump on March 15.
The unexpected breach has drawn harsh criticism from Democratic leaders, who labeled it potentially illegal and demanded an investigation to uncover how this sensitive information was leaked. In contrast, Republican responses have downplayed the implications of the incident, arguing that it was an inadvertent mistake. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes acknowledged the authenticity of the reported messages and stated that they are reviewing how an unauthorized individual was added to the chain.
Despite the controversy, the White House has expressed continued confidence in its national security team. President Trump himself claimed ignorance regarding the situation, stating he was unaware of the breach before the news broke.
Hegseth, who previously garnered attention as a Fox News host yet lacks the extensive experience typically associated with managing the Pentagon, did not accept responsibility for the lapse in security during a subsequent press briefing. Instead, he shifted blame onto Goldberg, asserting that “nobody was texting war plans,” despite the details the reporter had shared, which included specifics on target locations, weaponry, and the sequence of attacks.
According to Goldberg, Hegseth’s messages contained a timeline indicating that the first detonations in Yemen were expected to occur within two hours of the conversation, confirming the timing reported later from the ground. The journalist further revealed that he had only been added to the chat two days prior and had received messages designating officials tasked with addressing the situation.
Within the group chat, tensions appeared to rise, with Vance expressing skepticism about the military action by noting dissatisfaction with having to assist European allies, who he believed were more affected by Houthi attacks than the United States. Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz countered these sentiments, arguing that the U.S. was uniquely capable of conducting the strikes and sharing Vance’s disdain for perceived European dependence.
The utilization of a commercial messaging app for discussions involving sensitive military strategies has led to outcry from Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, who suggested that the exchange might violate legal standards surrounding military communications. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the seriousness of the breach, describing it as one of the most shocking incidents involving military intelligence he’s witnessed, and called for an exhaustive investigation into the circumstances surrounding it.
Hillary Clinton, who has faced scrutiny for her own handling of classified information during her time as Secretary of State, weighed in on the situation, expressing disbelief in a post on social media.
Responses from Republican figures have been considerably less severe. House Speaker Mike Johnson characterized the breach as an unfortunate mistake, defending those involved against punishment, while former national security officials expressed their alarm at the potential consequences of such compromised communications. John Bolton, a former National Security Advisor, stressed the importance of discussing such sensitive matters in secure environments, casting doubt on the likelihood of any legal repercussions stemming from the incident.
As this situation continues to develop, it underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding military operations and communication protocols, particularly concerning the Houthi rebels. This group has posed significant challenges in recent years, engaging in aggressive drone and missile operations that have threatened key shipping channels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The U.S. has responded with strikes aimed at the Houthis, a campaign initiated during the Biden administration in response to their hostile actions and rhetoric.
