Overview of the Incident

A recent report has emerged revealing that top officials in the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, allegedly discussed a sensitive operation concerning airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. This conversation took place in a private group chat on the encrypted messaging service Signal, which inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of The Atlantic.

How the Chat Was Discovered

Goldberg disclosed that he was added to a group chat titled “Houthi PC small group” earlier this month, allegedly by an account impersonating national security adviser Mike Waltz. In this chat, specific details regarding munitions, targets, and the timing of the strikes were discussed just before their execution.

The National Security Council (NSC) later confirmed the authenticity of the chat’s information, emphasizing that a review of how an unintended participant gained access to the conversation is ongoing.

Reactions from the White House

During a press briefing, President Trump stated that he was unaware of the incident and criticized The Atlantic, suggesting it was on the verge of bankruptcy. His lack of knowledge about the operation highlighted potential gaps in communication within his administration.

Discussion of Operational Timing

On March 14, participants in the chat deliberated the implications of launching an attack on the Houthis. Vice President Vance expressed concerns that such actions could strategically benefit Europe, potentially leading to rising oil prices and complicating Trump’s stance on European defense responsibilities. Despite reservations, he indicated a willingness to support the majority opinion in the group.

Hegseth acknowledged these concerns but emphasized the importance of framing the attack as a response to Iranian actions, stating the messaging around this operation would be complicated.

Execution of the Operation

Goldberg recounted witnessing the aftermath of the strikes shortly after Hegseth indicated that military actions would commence. His decision to leave the group chat triggered notifications among members, raising questions about the communication protocol and security measures in place.

After the operation, Trump publicly announced the U.S. military’s decisive actions against the Houthis, framing them as necessary measures against terrorism at sea.

Implications for Operational Security

The incident has sparked significant criticism regarding operational security practices within the Trump administration. Democratic Senator Jack Reed expressed alarm over the apparent negligence that allowed sensitive military planning to occur in an unsecured, public forum. He called for urgent explanations from the administration, emphasizing the critical nature of secure communication in military operations.