In a significant incident that left Washington in shock, a group chat from President Donald Trump’s national security team leaked details about an impending military strike in Yemen, potentially compromising national security. The leaked discussion took place on the encrypted chat app Signal and was inadvertently visible to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, raising serious concerns about operational security within the Trump administration.
The chat included notable figures such as Vice-President JD Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, among others. The leak was confirmed by a spokesperson for the National Security Council, marking a troubling lapse in the management of sensitive information. In an editorial published by The Atlantic, Goldberg mentioned that he was mistakenly added to this private conversation where team members celebrated a successful US military strike on Houthi targets.
Conversations within the chat included discussions about military strategy and operational details, showcasing a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Trump’s national security apparatus. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, who appears to have added Goldberg to the group, expressed his approval with a message reading “Amazing job,” along with celebratory emojis shortly after the strikes took place.
However, the revelations have sparked outrage among lawmakers. Senator Mark Warner criticized the administration, stating, “This administration is playing fast and loose with our nation’s most classified info, and it makes all Americans less safe.” Notably, calls for a full inquiry have emerged from both sides of the political aisle, with Democratic congressman Chris Deluzio and Republican congressman Don Bacon denouncing the breach as unacceptable and demanding accountability.
While the Republican leadership, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, has downplayed the need for an investigation, concerns linger about the potential for further repercussions within the administration. Speculation regarding possible resignations, particularly of Waltz, intensified following the incident. Trump himself expressed ignorance about the situation, maintaining that he was unaware of the discussions that unfolded in the chat.
Amidst this backdrop, Vice-President Vance expressed reservations privately about the airstrikes, citing potential negative impacts on European shipping and oil prices. His comments reflect ongoing tensions within the administration about foreign policy decision-making. As the situation unfolds, former senior officials have remarked that incidents like this demand thorough investigations to safeguard national security protocols in the future.
The White House, while acknowledging the incident, described the airstrikes as “highly successful and effective.” Nonetheless, this event highlights critical vulnerabilities in handling sensitive communications and raises urgent questions about adhering to protocols designed to protect national security interests.