In an astonishing breach of security protocols, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive plans for military strikes in Yemen in a Signal chat group that included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic. The exchange occurred merely two hours prior to the planned attacks on the Houthi militia, surprising Pentagon officials and raising serious concerns about the safeguarding of classified information.
The White House confirmed the incident, stating that Goldberg had been mistakenly included in the chat by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, a serious misstep since conversations regarding military operations should occur through secure government channels. Defense officials reacted with alarm, noting that such a disclosure could potentially contravene the Espionage Act, which governs the treatment of sensitive information.
In the chat, which began at 11:44 a.m. on March 15, Hegseth detailed "operational specifics" including target locations, deployment strategies for U.S. weaponry, and the sequence of the attack. The risks of this information falling into the hands of adversaries were stark, potentially compromising the safety of American military personnel in the region.
Commenting on the planned strikes, Vice President JD Vance expressed hesitation, suggesting that European nations benefit from U.S. involvement in safeguarding shipping routes from Houthi threats. Hegseth's response highlighted frustration with European reliance on American military support, labeling it as "PATHETIC."
This incident comes amidst other significant developments in the Trump administration's ongoing policies, including proposed tariffs on countries purchasing oil from Venezuela and legal actions concerning federal employment and immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, public sentiment towards the U.S. military's international role appears increasingly complicated, as reflected in the divided views of an elderly tour guide in Belgium regarding America's historical image.