In a stunning security breach, a private Signal group chat among President Donald Trump’s top national security officials – containing real-time discussions about a sensitive U.S. military strike in Yemen was accidentally exposed when a prominent journalist was mistakenly added to the conversation.
The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg revealed he gained access to the encrypted chat group, which included National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The group actively debated operational details of the planned March 15 strike against Houthi targets, with officials exchanging both strategic assessments and, following the mission’s execution, celebratory messages.
The most striking moment came immediately after the successful operation, when Waltz posted “Amazing job” followed by a series of emojis (🇺🇸✊🔥), prompting a chain of congratulatory responses from other senior officials.
While the administration’s supporters may frame the leak as evidence of decisive action against threats, critics are already seizing on the episode as proof of reckless communication practices at the highest levels of government. The breach raises serious questions about the security protocols surrounding even encrypted messaging platforms when used for sensitive national security matters.
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