Trump Officials Shared Yemen War Plans in Group Chat

Top national security officials under President Donald Trump, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, shared detailed war plans for military strikes in Yemen on a secure messaging app group chat, The Atlantic reported on Monday. The group also included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, whose presence has raised concerns. The National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the text chain.

The messages contained operational details about planned strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, including targets, weapons, and attack sequences. It is unclear whether the information was classified, though such details are typically protected for security reasons. U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen followed on March 15, hours after Goldberg received the information.

The National Security Council is investigating how Goldberg's number ended up in the Signal group chat, which also included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Trump’s National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Hegseth dismissed Goldberg as a “deceitful” journalist but did not clarify the use of Signal for discussing such sensitive matters.

Trump, when initially asked about the breach, claimed he was unaware of the leak, later joking about it on social media. Signal is commonly used by government officials, though it is not classified and could be susceptible to hacking.

The leak drew swift condemnation from Democratic lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a "stunning breach of military intelligence," while Rep. Jim Himes emphasized the severity of such a leak, noting lower-ranking officials would likely face criminal charges for similar breaches. Some Republicans, including Senator Roger Wicker, also expressed concern, suggesting a bipartisan investigation into the matter.

While the leak has prompted criticism, House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the officials involved, claiming they were performing their duties and the mission succeeded.

The handling of national defense information is governed by the Espionage Act, which criminalizes the improper handling of classified material. The Biden administration has allowed the use of Signal for certain communications, though it is advised to be used cautiously.