A shocking security breach has rocked Donald Trump’s administration after top officials accidentally included a journalist in a private group chat discussing bombing plans in Yemen. This unprecedented mistake has raised serious concerns about the administration’s handling of classified information.
The Incident
On March 11, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, received an unexpected connection request on the encrypted messaging app Signal. The request came from a user identified as Michael Waltz, Trump’s National Security Advisor. Initially skeptical, Goldberg accepted, assuming it could be a legitimate discussion about international policy.
The next day, he was added to a group chat titled “Houthi PC small group,” where key U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were actively discussing a planned military strike on the Houthis in Yemen.
At first, Goldberg suspected the chat could be a disinformation operation, but those doubts vanished when the bombings unfolded exactly as described in the conversation.
Who Was in the Chat?
- Vice President JD Vance
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- National Security Advisor Mike Waltz
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe
- Key National Security Council Officials
What Was Discussed?
The highly classified conversations detailed:
✔️ Target locations
✔️ Weapons to be used
✔️ Attack sequences and strategic justifications
✔️ Political and economic risks
During the chat, Pete Hegseth shared specifics about the airstrikes, which later took place on March 15. Officials also debated the economic risks, particularly regarding European trade routes and maritime security.
Vice President JD Vance’s Concerns
Vice President JD Vance expressed doubts about the bombing decision, stating:
“I thought we were making a mistake.”
His concerns centered on economic and political repercussions, but he ultimately aligned with the administration’s decision—a stance later confirmed by his office.
Fallout from the Security Breach
This scandal highlights severe lapses in cybersecurity, as a non-secure messaging app was used for top-secret military discussions. Cybersecurity experts warn that such vulnerabilities could expose U.S. military strategy to hackers and foreign adversaries.
Political Reactions
🔥 Bipartisan outrage has erupted over the security failure:
🔹 Senator Jack Reed (D), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called it “one of the most egregious security failures and lapses in judgment I’ve ever seen.”
🔹 Rep. Betty McCollum questioned whether officials violated the Espionage Act by sharing classified intelligence on an insecure platform.
Trump’s Response
President Donald Trump dismissed the controversy, mocking it on social media and denying knowledge of the incident. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth defended the administration, attacking Goldberg as an unreliable journalist who spreads misinformation.
National Security Crisis?
This unprecedented breach has raised serious national security concerns, with experts warning that such careless handling of sensitive military operations could have devastating consequences. Will this lead to accountability within the Trump administration, or will it be dismissed as another political controversy?
