Atlantic magazine's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, unexpectedly became privy to highly sensitive military discussions involving top Trump administration officials.
According to the New York Post, Goldberg was inadvertently added to a Signal message chain called "Houthi PC small group," where Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other senior officials discussed planned strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The revelation has sparked bipartisan outrage on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers expressing grave concerns about the transmission of classified information through unsecured channels. The stunning security breach occurred just days before the U.S. military conducted strikes against the Iran-backed militant group on March 15.
High-level disagreements surface in leaked chat
Vice President Vance expressed reservations about the timing of the strikes, citing potential economic impacts and messaging challenges. He pointed to Europe's heavy reliance on trade through the Suez Canal and warned about possible oil price spikes.
Defense Secretary Hegseth acknowledged the messaging difficulties but advocated for proceeding with the operation. He emphasized the need to highlight Iran's role and the Biden administration's perceived failures in the region.
The exchange revealed internal disagreements among top officials, with some suggesting a delay while others pushed for immediate action. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz noted that the U.S. would ultimately bear responsibility for reopening shipping lanes regardless of timing.
Security breach raises serious concerns
Congressional leaders from both parties condemned the transmission of sensitive operational details through potentially vulnerable communication channels. Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner expressed his concerns, stating:
This administration is playing fast and loose with our nation's most classified info, and it makes all Americans less safe.
Representative Don Bacon highlighted the risks of using non-secure systems for classified communications. Intelligence reports indicate that Russian operatives have previously targeted Signal through various methods, including phishing attempts.
The White House has attempted to downplay the incident's significance while acknowledging the breach. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes confirmed the authenticity of the message chain but insisted the operation's success proved there was no threat to troops or national security.
Complex relationship between journalist and administration
Goldberg's unexpected inclusion in the chat carries additional significance given his history with the Trump administration. As the author of a controversial 2020 article alleging Trump made disparaging remarks about U.S. troops, his access to sensitive military planning discussions has raised eyebrows.
The journalist was reportedly added to the chain under his initials "JG," which may have been confused with those of U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Upon realizing the error, Goldberg removed himself from the group and contacted relevant officials.
White House officials maintain that the president remains confident in his national security team despite the breach. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed Trump's support for National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and other key advisers.
Looking ahead after critical security lapse
The unprecedented inclusion of a journalist in classified military planning discussions has exposed significant vulnerabilities in the Trump administration's information security protocols. The incident occurred when National Security Adviser Mike Waltz or a subordinate accidentally added Goldberg to a Signal chat discussing imminent strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. In response, lawmakers are demanding improved safeguards for classified communications, while administration officials work to contain the fallout from this remarkable security breach that revealed internal disagreements about military strategy and timing of the operations.
