Trump Administration Accidentally Leaks War Plans via Text, Raising Security Concerns
While the Trump administration prepared for secret military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, they accidentally added Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg to their secure Signal chat group. The group, named “Houthi PC small group,” included high-ranking officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Goldberg observed the sensitive conversations for days. Oops.
The National Security Council later confirmed the messages were real. Talk about an epic security fail. The chat revealed detailed plans for strikes against Houthi targets, including specific weapons, targets, and attack sequencing. Officials even discussed the timing of the March 15 operation hours before it happened. Nothing like giving your enemies a heads-up, right?
The leak exposed more than just military plans. It showcased policy disagreements within Trump’s team. Vice President Vance had reservations about the timing. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz was among the key participants in these sensitive discussions. Hegseth has vehemently denied war plans were shared in the chat. Others celebrated after the strikes. U.S. forces conducted strikes on over 30 targets in Yemen as part of the campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The group dynamic was surprisingly casual for people plotting military operations that could kill people.
Security experts are freaking out. And for good reason. The officials potentially violated several laws, including the Espionage Act and Federal Records Act. They shared classified information on a non-secure messaging app. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was seen praising those involved in the operation. Waltz’s messages were set to disappear after a few weeks, further complicating record-keeping requirements. The messages disappeared automatically. Not exactly following proper record-keeping protocols.
The administration’s response? Pretty chill, considering. The National Security Council claimed the messages showed “deep and thoughtful policy coordination.” They’re reviewing how an “inadvertent number” was added to the chat. President Trump claims he knew nothing about it. Shocking.
Democrats want answers. They’re calling for investigations and hearings. The incident raises serious questions about the administration’s communication protocols. Using commercial apps for government business isn’t exactly best practice for national security.
This mess happened during ongoing tensions with Houthi rebels. The leak revealed internal debates on U.S. policy in the Middle East and highlighted the risks of using unofficial channels for official business. It could impact future military operations and diplomacy.
The bottom line? High-ranking government officials shared war plans on a messaging app and accidentally included a journalist. For days. That’s not just embarrassing—it’s potentially dangerous. Military personnel and national security were put at risk because someone couldn’t double-check a contact list. Let that sink in.
