Washington (Agencies): Revelations that senior members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet accidentally shared highly classified military strike plans on Yemen with a journalist have sparked outrage and concern over national security risks. The incident, reported by The Atlantic, involved the use of the nongovernment encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss sensitive operational details.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz reportedly added Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a group chat discussing strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen. Goldberg inadvertently received operational details and followed the conversation until the strikes were carried out, later removing himself from the thread. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who allegedly shared the strike plans, denied discussing war plans over text, despite the administration’s acknowledgment of the messages’ authenticity.
The use of Signal for such sensitive discussions has alarmed current and former officials, who warn of the grave risks posed by unclassified platforms. Career national security officials expressed dismay, noting that such actions would typically result in immediate dismissal and prosecution for lower-level employees. Concerns have also emerged about the vulnerability of Signal to foreign hackers, further exacerbating the security breach.
Trump administration officials are now reviewing the use of Signal for government communications, with speculation that new rules may be introduced. While President Trump expressed disdain for Goldberg and skepticism about The Atlantic’s reporting, the incident has raised serious questions about the administration’s handling of classified information and adherence to security protocols.