Major breach as journalist joins US chat on Yemen war plans

In an unprecedented security lapse, senior officials within President Donald Trump’s administration inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a Signal group chat where they discussed classified military operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This breach has ignited widespread concern over the handling of sensitive information at the highest levels of government.

The group chat, intended for confidential coordination among top officials, included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Goldberg was mistakenly added to this encrypted conversation, granting him access to detailed plans about the impending strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. These discussions encompassed target locations, weaponry to be employed, and the sequencing of the attacks. Goldberg became aware of the operations two hours before their execution on March 15, though he refrained from publishing any details until after the events unfolded.

Political and Public Reactions

The revelation of this security breach has elicited strong reactions across the political spectrum. Democratic leaders have condemned the incident, calling for comprehensive investigations into how such a critical error occurred. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled it “one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence,” advocating for a thorough inquiry. Conversely, some Republicans have downplayed the severity, with House Speaker Mike Johnson referring to it as a “mistake” unlikely to recur.

Defense Secretary Hegseth has denied that classified “war plans” were shared in the chat, dismissing Goldberg’s report and questioning his credibility. Despite these denials, the National Security Council has confirmed the authenticity of the messages and initiated a review to understand how the journalist’s number was added to the conversation.

This incident has sparked debates about the use of personal messaging applications like Signal for discussing sensitive government matters. While Signal is renowned for its encryption capabilities, experts caution against its use for classified communications due to potential vulnerabilities. The breach underscores the necessity for stringent protocols and adherence to secure channels when handling national security information.