In a startling security breach, top national security officials in former US President Donald Trump’s administration mistakenly shared sensitive war plans regarding upcoming US military strikes in Yemen with a journalist. The information, which included details about target locations, weapons, and attack sequencing, was shared via a secure messaging app, Signal, in a group chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. The Atlantic published a detailed account of the incident on Monday, March 24, 2025.

The National Security Council (NSC) has confirmed that the text chain “appears to be authentic.” It is believed that the group chat included senior members of Trump's national security team, such as:

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

• Vice President JD Vance

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio

• Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard

Details of US War Plans Accidentally Shared
According to Goldberg’s report, the group chat contained operational details related to upcoming US strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The information included:

• Specific target locations.

• Types of weapons to be used.

• The sequence in which the attacks were planned.

The exact classification level of the information remains unclear, but operational details of this nature are typically classified and protected to ensure operational security and the safety of US service members. Shockingly, just two hours after Goldberg received the information on March 15, the US conducted a series of airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.

The US has been conducting airstrikes against the Houthis since November 2023, following the rebel group’s attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea. The accidental sharing of war plans has raised concerns over security protocols and the use of Signal for discussing sensitive military operations.

What Did the National Security Council Say?
The NSC has launched an investigation to determine how Goldberg’s number was added to the Signal group chat. Initial findings suggest that Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security advisor, invited Goldberg to the chat by mistake. Waltz, a former Army Green Beret and congressman, was reportedly included in the discussions along with top Trump officials.

Pete Hegseth, in his first public comments since the breach, attacked Goldberg, calling him a “deceitful and discredited journalist” without elaborating further. He also declined to explain why Signal was used for such sensitive conversations or how Goldberg’s number ended up in the group.

“Nobody was texting war plans, and that's all I have to say about that,” Hegseth told reporters after landing in Hawaii on Monday, as he prepared to travel to the Asia-Pacific region on his first overseas trip as defense secretary.

Trump's Response to the Incident
When questioned about the incident on Monday, Trump initially denied knowledge of the situation, stating,
“I don't know anything about it. You're telling me about it for the first time.”

Later in the evening, Trump appeared to brush off the matter, jokingly amplifying a social media post from Elon Musk that referenced a satirical headline:
“4D Chess: Genius Trump Leaks War Plans to The Atlantic Where No One Will Ever See Them.”

Signal’s Role in the Breach
Signal, an end-to-end encrypted messaging app, is widely used by government officials for its security features. However, it is not classified and can be vulnerable to breaches if used improperly. While Signal provides a higher level of security than standard messaging apps, it is not considered suitable for sensitive military communication.

Government officials have been increasingly using Signal for organizational correspondence, but this incident highlights the risks associated with using non-classified platforms for discussions involving national security.

Internal Crackdown on Leaks
In response to the breach, Hegseth’s office has announced a crackdown on leaks of sensitive information. This includes the potential use of polygraphs on defense personnel to identify the source of leaks to journalists. Officials have emphasized the need to prevent similar breaches and safeguard critical military operations.

Security Implications and Investigation
The accidental leak of sensitive war plans has raised alarm among national security experts and lawmakers, who are calling for greater oversight and stronger protocols to prevent future breaches. The NSC’s investigation aims to uncover how the breach occurred and recommend corrective measures to ensure that operational security remains intact.

As the situation develops, questions linger over whether Trump's national security team adhered to established protocols and whether further measures are needed to protect sensitive information in the future.

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