Sensitive Yemen War Plans Accidentally Shared with Journalist in Trump Officials’ Chat

Washington, D.C. – Senior officials within the Trump administration reportedly engaged in discussions regarding sensitive military information and strategic Yemen war plans via a Signal group chat. The secure messaging platform, intended for private internal communication, mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, according to reports emerging on or around March 26, 2025.

Accidental Inclusion Sparks Security Concerns

The incident has raised significant questions about the security protocols and communication practices within the highest levels of government. Sources indicate that senior administration personnel were utilizing the Signal application to deliberate on highly sensitive matters related to military operations and strategic planning concerning the conflict in Yemen when Goldberg was inadvertently added to the chat.

Jeffrey Goldberg is a widely respected journalist and editor known for his in-depth reporting and access to high-level sources. His unexpected presence in a chat detailing confidential government discussions represents a significant communication breakdown and a potential security risk.

President Trump Downplays the Incident

Reacting to the news, President Trump appeared to minimize the severity of the situation. He characterized the inclusion of the journalist in the sensitive discussion as “not a serious glitch.” President Trump also publicly stated that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who was reportedly responsible for including Goldberg in the chat, had “learned a lesson.”

This assessment by the President suggests a view that the event was primarily a procedural error rather than a major security lapse, contrasting with potential concerns from national security experts regarding the appropriate handling of classified or sensitive operational details.

National Security Advisor Waltz Responds

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz publicly addressed the incident, stating he took “full responsibility” for Goldberg’s inclusion in the Signal group chat. However, Waltz also denied knowing Jeffrey Goldberg personally at the time of the incident. Furthermore, Waltz levied accusations against The Atlantic, alleging the publication was engaged in spreading falsehoods related to the event.

Waltz’s statement acknowledges his role in the communication error while simultaneously challenging the narrative potentially being advanced by The Atlantic, the media organization led by the journalist who received the sensitive information.

Agency Heads Defer on Classification Status

The nature and classification level of the information shared in the Signal chat remain subjects of inquiry. When questioned about whether the specific military information and Yemen war plans discussed constituted classified material, both CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reportedly deferred to other authorities.

According to reports, Director Ratcliffe and Director Gabbard indicated that questions regarding the classification status of the shared information should be directed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the National Security Council. This deferral highlights the complex chain of authority involved in determining and confirming the classification levels of sensitive government information and suggests that the assessment of the potential damage or protocol breach was ongoing or under review by the relevant defense and national security bodies.

Implications for Government Communications

The accidental disclosure underscores the challenges of maintaining secure communications within high-pressure government environments, particularly when utilizing various digital platforms. The use of encrypted messaging services like Signal for discussions of sensitive military strategies, while offering security benefits against external interception, introduces risks related to user error and managing participant lists.

The incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when sensitive information intended for a restricted audience is unintentionally exposed, raising broader questions about training, protocol adherence, and the oversight of digital communications among senior government officials discussing national security matters and foreign policy.

As of reports on or around March 26, 2025, the full ramifications of this accidental sharing of sensitive military information and Yemen war plans with a prominent journalist remain a subject of public and internal government scrutiny.