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Trump Administration’s Signal Blunder: Sensitive Yemen War Plans Leaked to Journalist
Officials from the Trump administration accidentally included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a classified Signal group, revealing sensitive discussions on military strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels just hours before the operation commenced.
In a stunning lapse of protocol, officials from the Trump administration mistakenly added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a secret group chat on the messaging app Signal. This incident took place shortly before the United States launched military strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels on a significant scale, raising questions about the handling of classified information. The group chat was established to discuss the planned military operation, and included high-profile officials such as National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Governor JD Vance, and other key members of the Trump administration.
Key Details of the Signal Group Chat
- Participants: The group chat, titled “Houthi PC small group,” had 18 participants including prominent figures like:
- JD Vance, Vice President
- Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary
- Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
- Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence
- Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary
- John Ratcliffe, CIA Director
- Various other senior officials
- Goldberg’s Involvement: Goldberg stated that his initials appeared as “JG,” which led to significant fallout due to the classified nature of the discussions.
Revealed Concerns Over Military Operations
According to the leaked messages, internal disputes among officials emerged regarding the urgent nature of the military response. Key points included:
- JD Vance expressed his doubts about the strikes, questioning their alignment with President Trump’s foreign policy message regarding Europe.
- Vance noted the potential for increased oil prices as a consequence of the military action.
- Joe Kent, a nominee for the National Counterterrorism Center, supported the notion that there was no immediate urgency for the strikes.
Timeline of Events and Reactions
The military operation commenced at approximately 1:45 PM Eastern time, with explosions reported across Sanaa, Yemen’s capital. Following the operation, the group chat erupted with messages of congratulations:
- National Security Adviser Mike Waltz commended his team by stating, “amazing job.”
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe called it “A good start.”
- White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles praised the efforts of those involved, emphasizing their bravery.
About Jeffrey Goldberg
Jeffrey Goldberg, age 65, has been with The Atlantic since 2007 and became its editor-in-chief in 2016. Under his leadership, the magazine won its first-ever Pulitzer Prizes. Specifically, he has a background as a national correspondent for The New Yorker and served in the Israel Defense Forces.
This incident raises significant concerns regarding the management of classified information and the potential implications of such a breach. As discussions continue about the impacts of this event, it emphasizes the need for secure communication protocols within government agencies.
In summary, the accidental inclusion of a journalist in a sensitive military group chat reveals both the vulnerabilities in handling classified information and raises questions about the subsequent military actions against Yemen. As the narrative unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the ramifications for both domestic policy and international relations.
Keywords: Trump administration, Yemen military strikes, Jeffrey Goldberg, Signal group chat, classified information, Houthi rebels, military protocol.
Hashtags: #TrumpAdministration #YemenStrikes #JeffreyGoldberg #ClassifiedInformation #MilitaryProtocol #HouthiRebels
