Accidental Disclosure: Trump Officials Share Military Plans with Journalist
Senior Trump administration officials accidentally included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal chat where they debated military strikes in Yemen against the Houthis. Goldberg later reported on the incident, revealing operational military details shared in the chat and expressing concerns over the risks posed by such communication practices.
In an unintended disclosure, senior officials from the Trump administration, including the Vice President and Secretary of Defense, engaged in a discussion via the secure messaging app Signal about initiating military actions against the Houthis in Yemen. The debate inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, who later provided details in his report for the publication during an interview on PBS’s News Hour.
Goldberg recounted that he was initially invited to connect with National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, which appeared routine. However, he was later added to a larger group chat containing notable national security figures. During the chat on March 15, he received a message purportedly from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, detailing military operational information along with the scheduled time for the bombings in Yemen, which was alarming to him.
Following the discussion’s unfolding, Goldberg noted a surge of celebratory messages among the participants in the group chat following the military strikes, sharing their excitement through various emojis. He emphasized the seriousness of the exposed operational details and reflected on the potential dangers such an oversight could impose on U.S. service members involved in the operation.
In a subsequent statement, Brian Hughes, spokesman for the National Security Council, confirmed the authenticity of the chat and reassured the public that the operation was a demonstration of effective policy coordination. Furthermore, Goldberg pointed out a significant concern regarding the use of commercial messaging apps for sensitive discussions and questioned the potential for similar occurrences among other officials.
This incident underscores the significant risks associated with using commercial applications for sensitive governmental discussions. The accidental inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg in discussions regarding military action not only reveals weaknesses in security protocol but also highlights the potential for dangerous breaches of operational confidentiality.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
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