The White House denied allegations of war plans discussed in a Signal chat on Yemen, which mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. A review is underway concerning the incident, with significant concern expressed by congressional Democrats. Officials assert that no classified information was transmitted, while Trump and military leaders maintain that no war plans were shared.

The White House has refuted claims regarding discussions of “war plans” in a Signal chat regarding Yemen. National security officials are currently investigating how journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly included in an 18-member chat that featured top military officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Mike Waltz. President Trump, confident in Waltz, remarked that he has “learned a lesson” about this incident.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that no classified information was shared in the Signal chat and stated, “no ‘war plans’ were discussed.” Moreover, the White House Counsel’s Office has provided communication guidance to ensure secure exchanges among Trump’s senior officials.

National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes reiterated the authenticity of the reported message thread and acknowledged the need for an investigation to understand the circumstances of the journalist’s addition to the conversation. Congressional Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Chuck Schumer, expressed their outrage and called for an investigation, labeling the use of a non-secure platform for military discussions as a significant breach of national security.

Goldberg indicated he initially doubted the legitimacy of the conversation, but his skepticism dissipated following confirmed military operations against Houthi militants. Trump, when initially queried about the group chat, stated that he had no prior knowledge of it. Hegseth, when asked about his involvement, insisted, “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.”

In summary, the White House has denied the existence of any ‘war plans’ discussed on a Signal chat that mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, prompting an internal review by the National Security Council. While Press Secretary Leavitt emphasized that no classified information was shared, congressional leaders have raised significant concerns regarding the breach of national security protocols. As this situation continues to unfold, further updates are anticipated regarding the outcomes of the investigation and congressional responses.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com

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