The Atlantic Editor Accidentally Added to Trump’s War Planning Chat

International International News

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-03-25 08:55:37 |

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 5

---

The Trump administration has admitted that a journalist from The Atlantic magazine was mistakenly included in a private social media chat discussing planned military actions against Yemen’s Houthi armed group. The revelation came after The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, published an article detailing how he was unexpectedly added to a Signal group chat where senior government officials were discussing highly sensitive military plans.  

According to Goldberg, the world learned about the US airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen shortly before 2 pm Eastern Time on March 15. However, he became aware of the attack nearly two hours earlier when Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, inadvertently sent him the war plan at 11:44 am. The mistake exposed crucial military details, including attack timings, targeted locations, and potential economic consequences. Goldberg described the incident in his article titled "The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans," highlighting the severe security lapse.  

The unusual situation began on March 11 when Goldberg received a message request on the encrypted messaging app Signal from someone using the name "Michael Waltz." Initially skeptical, he soon realized he had been added to a chat with 18 high-ranking government officials. Among them were Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The group was actively discussing military operations, including strike times, potential economic impacts, and the morale of the armed forces. Goldberg observed that the conversation was strikingly casual despite the classified nature of the information.  

Waltz continued to share sensitive details in the chat without realizing that Goldberg was among the recipients. The discussion included specifics about attack timing, weaponry, and strategic targets. Recognizing the severity of the breach, Goldberg decided to inform the White House before removing himself from the group. The government did not immediately react, but once his article was published, the National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the chat and acknowledged that an unintended recipient had been added.  

Hours after the discussions in the chat, the Trump administration launched air and naval strikes against Houthi positions. The Pentagon later confirmed the operation, stating that the strikes were aimed at dismantling Houthi leadership and maintaining stability in the Red Sea. In a televised interview, Waltz defended the military action, calling it a decisive response that also held Iran accountable. While the administration attempted to frame the chat as an example of coordinated policy discussions, the incident raised serious concerns about the handling of classified information and potential security vulnerabilities.

Go!