In a stunning security lapse, a U.S. journalist was mistakenly included in a confidential group chat where top Trump administration officials discussed military strikes on Yemen’s Huthi rebels.
The White House confirmed the breach on Monday, raising serious concerns over the handling of classified intelligence.
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed he had received advance notice of the March 15 strikes.
The disclosure stemmed from a Signal group chat involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, among others.
“The message thread that was reported appears to be authentic, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain,” said National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes.
President Donald Trump denied knowledge of the incident, stating, “I don’t know anything about it. You’re telling me about it for the first time.” He defended the military action, calling it “very effective.”
Goldberg reported that Hegseth’s messages detailed strike targets, weapon deployments, and attack sequencing.
According to the texts, detonations in Yemen were expected to occur at 1:45 p.m. Eastern time, a timeline that was confirmed on the ground.
The breach ignited outrage among Democrats, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it “one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence in a very long time.”
Senator Jack Reed condemned the administration’s “carelessness,” while Hillary Clinton responded with a pointed post on X: “You have got to be kidding me.”
As the U.S. continues its campaign against Huthi threats in the Red Sea, the security lapse raises urgent questions about the safeguarding of classified military operations.
