A recent report by The Atlantic has revealed that high-ranking officials in President Donald Trump’s administration inadvertently shared sensitive war plan in a Signal group chat, which included the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. The conversation reportedly contained details of planned airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, including target locations and attack sequences.
Trump initially denied knowledge of the situation but later dismissed it as a minor issue. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a key figure in the group chat, criticized The Atlantic but did not clarify why Signal was used for such discussions. The National Security Council is investigating how Goldberg was included in the group.
The incident has sparked bipartisan concern in Congress. Democratic lawmakers condemned it as a serious breach of operational security, with some calling for an investigation. Even some Republican officials acknowledged the need to examine the situation, though others defended the administration’s handling of the matter.
The use of Signal for government communications has raised security concerns, particularly given its lack of classification protocols. While encryption makes it more secure than standard messaging apps, the platform is not authorized for classified discussions. The Justice Department has strict regulations on handling national security information, and previous cases—such as the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server—have shown the legal risks involved.
Leaked messages from the chat also revealed internal debate over the timing of the airstrikes. Vice President JD Vance questioned whether the move would lead to a spike in oil prices and suggested delaying the operation to prepare public messaging. Hegseth, however, pushed for immediate action.
The controversy comes amid a broader crackdown on government’s war plan leaks, with the Pentagon considering new security measures, including potential polygraph tests for defense personnel. While the White House maintains that no classified material was shared, the incident has intensified scrutiny of the administration’s handling of sensitive information.
