In a significant blunder, The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently included in an unsecure group chat used by senior US national security officials. This chat, hosted on the Signal app, discussed classified airstrike plans against Houthi targets in Yemen. Goldberg detailed the incident in an article titled “The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans.”
How Was Goldberg Added?
Goldberg was added to the chat by someone posing as Michael Waltz, President Donald Trump’s national security adviser. According to Goldberg, the discussion contained sensitive information, including:
- Operational details about upcoming strikes
- Target locations in Yemen
- Weapons to be deployed
- Attack sequences
Goldberg Knew About Yemen Strikes in Advance
Goldberg revealed that he had knowledge of the strikes more than two hours before the public was informed. He warned that if this information had been accessed by adversaries, it could have jeopardized American military and intelligence personnel, especially in the Middle East.
National Security Council Responds
National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Brian Hughes acknowledged the authenticity of the message thread and confirmed that an investigation is underway. Hughes assured that no harm was caused to US service members or national security during the Yemen operation.
Violation of Security Protocols
The inclusion of Goldberg in the chat may have violated multiple federal regulations, including:
- Sharing sensitive operational data
- Disclosing classified military information
- Improper record maintenance
Who is Jeffrey Goldberg?
Jeffrey Goldberg is an award-winning journalist and Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic. He has previously worked as a Middle East correspondent for The New Yorker and contributed numerous articles to The New York Times Magazine. His acclaimed book Prisoners: A Story of Friendship and Terror explores international conflicts and diplomatic challenges.
