An upper-level editor at The Atlantic unwittingly found himself in a private messaging forum utilized by senior officials in the Trump administration to deliberate over impending U.S military operations in Yemen.
Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, revealed that he received comprehensive insights regarding forthcoming strikes on Houthi positions through an encrypted Signal chat featuring key figures from President Donald Trump’s national security apparatus.
The conversation reportedly comprised 18 individuals, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
In an article, Goldberg recounted how a user identifying as Waltz reached out to him on 11 March. Two days later, he was included in a Signal group designated “Huthi PC Subgroup”, a nod to the Principals Committee that encompasses high-ranking US national security officials.
On 15 March, Hegseth purportedly shared specific information about target locations, timings, and the arsenal to be deployed—approximately two hours before the operations commenced.
Goldberg initially suspected he was caught up in a disinformation scheme and dismissed the messages until the strikes occurred exactly as outlined. Only then did he come to the realization that the conversation was likely genuine.
The occurrence raised immediate concerns about the administration’s management of classified data and its recourse to unauthorized communication platforms. The National Security Council subsequently verified the chat’s existence, labeling it an “authentic thread” under internal examination.
White House representatives indicated that Trump had been updated on the situation and expressed intense disapproval of Goldberg personally. Trump, who has a history of disputes with the journalist, reportedly remarked, “You couldn’t have chosen a worse individual than Goldberg to add to the chat,” as per sources reported by CNN.
Nevertheless, the White House affirmed that Trump continues to back Waltz and the wider national security team. “The president has complete trust in his advisers,” stated a spokesperson.
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In public statements, Hegseth refuted any allegations of misconduct. “Nobody was messaging battle strategies,” he informed journalists, while simultaneously launching a personal assault on Goldberg, labelling him as “a mendacious and profoundly discredited so-called journalist.”
As reported by various outlets, members of the group exchanged congratulations using celebratory emojis following the attacks. According to Houthi health officials, at least 50 individuals were killed in the aerial bombardments.
Critics from various political backgrounds reacted immediately. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tweeted, “You can’t be serious,” highlighting the irony that her own 2016 email scandal is being discussed by some of the same officials now involved in this violation.
Senator Chris Coons described the event as a criminal infraction, while Senator Mark Kelly stated that it could have jeopardized pilots and questioned why classified planning wasn’t limited to secure governmental channels. Elizabeth Warren characterized the situation as “openly illegal and perilously irresponsible.”
According to US regulations, national security information must be disseminated via sanctioned classified communication networks. Signal, although frequently utilized for secure personal exchanges, is not authorized for the management of classified government content.
Experts indicated that if the chat participants had exchanged detailed operational information—as reported—this would contravene multiple federal regulations. The unintentional inclusion of an unauthorized civilian, particularly a journalist, could amplify the legal liability of those involved.
The group chat reportedly persisted for several days before Goldberg withdrew and contacted the participants directly to confirm the group’s legitimacy. Goldberg noted that none of the members were aware of his presence until after the attacks were executed.
In spite of the repercussions, there is no sign that Trump intends to terminate Waltz. The White House has yet to comment on whether any disciplinary measures will be imposed on those implicated in the violation.
The Atlantic incident represents one of the most prominent security blunders of Trump’s second term. While the administration asserts that no classified information was purposefully disseminated, the amalgamation of unauthorized communication methods, inadequate oversight, and a lack of operational rigor has garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally.