Inadvertent Group Chat Breach Reveals Trump Officials Planned Yemen Strikes
Senior officials in the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accidentally coordinated military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen via a Signal group chat that included The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg. The conversation lasted from March 13 to March 15, discussing operational details and resulting in strikes that killed at least 53 people. The incident raised serious security concerns regarding the transmission of classified information and has prompted bipartisan criticism.
In March 2023, key officials from the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accidentally engaged in discussions regarding military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen through a group chat on Signal that inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. The group chat comprised 17 prominent figures, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who debated the bombings, discussing strategies, targets, and the operational details of the strikes scheduled for March 15.
The text exchanges were confirmed to have occurred from March 13 to March 15, culminating in a series of airstrikes that resulted in over 53 casualties, with many being children. These bombings were reportedly retaliation for Houthi attacks on merchant vessels linked to previous conflicts in the Gaza Strip. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes acknowledged the legitimacy of the group chat, while responses from the White House, CIA, and Pentagon were delegated to the NSC, emphasizing the classified nature of such communications.
When queried about the situation, former President Trump denied knowledge of the text exchange and criticized The Atlantic, asserting that he believed the tactics had been successful. Hughes indicated that the administration is reviewing how the group chat was compromised and stressed the success of the military operation despite concerns raised regarding operational security.
Goldberg received a request from an individual posing as Waltz and was added to the group chat titled “Houthi PC small group” on March 13. Although Signal is known for its encryption, its use for sensitive conversations raises potential legal concerns, particularly under the Espionage Act. The Defense Department has stated that Signal is not authorized for transmitting non-public information.
Lawmakers expressed alarm over the breach, with Virginia Senator Mark Warner asserting that the administration’s actions jeopardize national security. Delaware Senator Chris Coons remarked that the officials involved have committed a crime, even if accidentally. Vice President Vance voiced his reservations during the discussions, questioning the potential economic repercussions of escalating military engagement and the public’s understanding of military decisions.
The accidental inclusion of a journalist in a top-level military planning group chat reveals significant lapses in national security protocols and raises questions about operational conduct. While the military operations against the Houthis were carried out as planned, the exchange highlights a need for stricter safeguards regarding secure communications and classified information. Bipartisan concerns from various lawmakers underscore the potential ramifications of such breaches for national safety and the necessity for vigilance in protecting sensitive information.
Original Source: mynews13.com
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