WASHINGTON (AP) — Top officials in former President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly shared U.S. military strike plans in a secure group chat — one that included the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic.
The National Security Council confirmed Monday that the leaked message thread “appears to be authentic.” The conversation, held over Signal, a popular encrypted messaging app, included operational details about forthcoming airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
According to The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, who was included in the group chat, the texts outlined specifics such as targets, sequencing of the attacks, and the types of weapons to be deployed against Iranian-backed Houthis.
Just two hours after Goldberg received the information on March 15, the U.S. military began launching a series of coordinated strikes.
While it remains unclear whether the information was classified, U.S. law strictly governs the handling of military data. Even unintentional leaks of national defense materials — especially those involving combat operations — can pose significant risks to service members and violate the Espionage Act, a law designed to prevent negligent or deliberate disclosure of sensitive intelligence.
Signal group chat under scrutiny
The revelation that a journalist — even one as seasoned as Goldberg — was added to a group chat discussing war plans has drawn questions about protocol and national security safeguards under Trump’s leadership.
The National Security Council is now investigating how Goldberg’s number was added to the encrypted Signal thread.
Trump, when asked about the incident, distanced himself from the situation. “I know nothing about it,” he told reporters, before taking a swipe at the publication, saying it’s “not much of a magazine.”
Despite being widely used among government officials, Signal is not a classified platform and remains vulnerable to breach.
Trump’s Defense Department vows to investigate leak
The reported leak comes at a time when the Pentagon is stepping up its crackdown on internal disclosures. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office recently announced plans to use polygraphs in leak investigations and warned that those who share sensitive material would be held accountable.
Hegseth’s spokesperson, Sean Parnell, did not respond to requests for comment regarding why Trump’s defense secretary would post war plans in an unclassified group chat.
This incident raises serious concerns about accountability and national security practices during the Trump administration — concerns that have echoed through recent history.
For instance, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faced a lengthy federal probe in 2015 and 2016 for using a private email server to communicate with aides. Although the FBI found no grounds for criminal charges, the political fallout lingered for years.
During the Biden administration, Signal was also permitted in limited circumstances — primarily to alert personnel to check their classified systems for updates or schedule sensitive calls while abroad. Still, officials were warned to use the app sparingly and never for operational detail.
Related Stories:
- JD Vance falsely claims federal judges can’t check Trump’s power
- U.S. citizen detained by ICE in Puerto Rico: “You fit the description”
