This was a grave mistake.
Trump Administration Officials’ Private Chat Leaked
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, inadvertently discovered himself included in a confidential messaging group of senior Trump administration officials. The discussion centered around imminent military action against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Goldberg detailed receiving an unexpected connection request on the encrypted messaging app Signal from an account appearing to belong to Trump’s National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz. After accepting, Goldberg was mistakenly included in a private Signal group labeled “Houthi PC Small Group.” Prominent officials in this messaging thread included J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, John Ratcliffe, and Susie Wiles.
Senior Officials Discuss Timing and Risks
The officials openly debated the timing, risks, and strategic considerations of planned U.S. strikes against the Houthis. This terrorist group had significantly disrupted critical international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, notably affecting the strategic Suez Canal.
Vice President Vance expressed reservations, emphasizing his priority on American interests, noting he disliked the idea of repeatedly rescuing European trade interests. Secretary Hegseth supported immediate action, citing risks of information leaks or potential disruptions caused by Israeli preemptive actions if delayed.
Detailed Military Information Shared Publicly
Goldberg was alarmed to witness highly sensitive operational details being shared within the unsecured messaging group. He verified the authenticity of the leaked information by observing social media reports confirming explosions in Yemen at precisely the times indicated in the leaked messages.
White House Response to Security Breach
Acknowledging the authenticity of the leak, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes stated that the administration was conducting a thorough review. Hughes emphasized that the leaked chat demonstrated deep and thoughtful policy coordination among senior officials and insisted that no national security was compromised.
Vice President Vance’s office quickly clarified that his internal comments were part of a robust advisory process and reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Trump’s America-first foreign policy.
President Trump Dismisses Leak Concerns
President Trump himself minimized the situation, telling reporters, “I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of The Atlantic. To me, it’s a magazine that’s going out of business.” Trump emphasized his confidence in National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and praised the effectiveness of the Yemen strikes.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt supported Trump’s stance, confirming the administration’s view of the military operation as a clear success
