A journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, was mistakenly included in a Signal chat with Trump administration officials discussing military strategies against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the chat, raising alarms about security protocols. Lawmakers voiced concerns over the handling of classified information in this incident.

On March 24, it was confirmed that journalist Jeffrey Goldberg accidentally found himself included in a Signal group chat involving key Trump administration officials discussing U.S. attacks against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This unexpected inclusion allowed Goldberg to witness the planning of military actions hours prior to their execution.

Goldberg revealed that he was invited into the chat on March 11 by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and included prominent figures such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Just two days later, he joined a chain titled “Houthi PC small group.”

The communication within the group was startling, as Hegseth shared crucial details about weaponry, targets, and the timing of the military operations on March 15. Goldberg expressed skepticism regarding the group’s authenticity, stating he could hardly believe that such sensitive discussions would take place on a platform like Signal, especially with a reporter present.

The inclusion of a journalist had gone unnoticed by the officials in the chat, prompting Goldberg to question the recklessness of including him in discussions regarding significant national security issues. The National Security Council later confirmed the legitimacy of the chat and expressed intentions to address the inadvertent addition.

Brian Hughes, an NSC spokesman, indicated that the message chain demonstrated effective policy coordination among senior officials and assured that the military operations did not pose a risk to national security or U.S. troops. Disagreements over foreign policy were evident, with Vice President Vance indicating uncertainty about the potential implications of their actions on Trump’s consistent messages regarding Europe.

On March 24, President Trump claimed in the Oval Office that he was unaware of the incident. Concurrently, discussions between Hegseth and Vance reflected their disdain for perceived European inaction regarding defense spending. Responding to the situation, representatives and senators expressed serious concern about the security lapse and potential compromise of classified information.

Lawmakers criticized the situation sharply, with Rep. Pat Ryan calling it a “massive security lapse” and lamented the lack of immediate hearings into the incident, stating “FUBAR”. Senator Mark Warner also denounced the administration’s approach to classified information, asserting that it endangers citizens.

The fortuitous inclusion of journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a sensitive Signal chat involving Trump administration officials raised significant concerns regarding national security protocols. The discussion, which revolved around imminent military actions against Houthi rebels, revealed internal disagreements and showcased a lapse in security that lawmakers deemed alarming. This incident highlights the critical need for stricter measures to safeguard classified information in governmental communications.

Original Source: www.upi.com

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