High-ranking officials from former President Donald Trump’s administration made a critical error that could have jeopardized national security. They mistakenly shared top-secret military strike details in a Signal group chat.
What they didn’t realize? They had added an unintended recipient—Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic.
In an almost unbelievable twist, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz added Goldberg to a group chat that included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Goldberg later reported that the messages detailed planned U.S. military strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen—complete with target locations, attack timing, and the weapons set to be used.
Just two hours later, those strikes were carried out.
At first, Trump distanced himself from the incident, claiming he was unaware. Later, he attempted to brush it off, calling it a mere “glitch” and even cracking jokes about it online.
Meanwhile, officials scrambled to contain the fallout. Hegseth insisted no classified information was compromised and dismissed Goldberg’s reporting.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced this, stating that the messages contained no sensitive material.
The leak has sparked outrage from both political parties. Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have called for a full investigation, citing serious national security concerns.
Even some Republicans, like Senator Roger Wicker, expressed alarm over how sensitive military intelligence was so carelessly mishandled.
With technology at their disposal, why would top officials use an unsecured messaging app for such critical discussions?
The National Security Council has launched an internal review, probing whether communication protocols were ignored.
Reports suggest that stricter security measures, including polygraph tests, are being considered to prevent future breaches.
The controversy is far from over. Lawmakers are pressing for answers, questioning whether classified intelligence was leaked and whether the officials involved should face consequences.
Meanwhile, Goldberg has hinted that he may release more details about the messages, potentially adding new dimensions to the unfolding scandal.
With national security at stake, this incident underscores the dangers of mishandling classified discussions.
In the coming weeks, expect heightened scrutiny, congressional hearings, and an intense debate on government cybersecurity protocols.