- High-ranking Trump officials mistakenly disclosed US war plans in a Signal group chat that included a journalist.
- The revelation triggered outrage from Democratic lawmakers, who called for an urgent congressional investigation.
- National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and other top officials were part of the leaked conversation.
- The White House confirmed the authenticity of the messages but downplayed any security risks.
A major national security blunder has rocked the Trump administration after senior officials accidentally shared classified military plans in a Signal chat group that included a journalist from The Atlantic.
The leaked messages, first reported on Monday, March 24, revealed internal discussions about US airstrikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The blunder has sparked sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who are now calling for an immediate investigation.
How the Leak Happened
The incident came to light after The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg was unexpectedly added to an encrypted chat named “Houthi PC small group” on March 13. The group included several top Trump administration officials, including:
- National Security Adviser Mike Waltz
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Vice President JD Vance
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe
- DNI Chief Tulsi Gabbard
Goldberg reported that Hegseth mistakenly posted operational details about the planned US military strikes on Yemen, including information on targets, weapons, and attack sequences. While he did not disclose the exact details, he described the leak as “shockingly reckless.”
Trump’s Response and White House Statement
When asked about the leak, President Donald Trump denied knowledge of the incident.
“I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of The Atlantic.”
However, a White House official later confirmed that an internal investigation was underway and that Trump had been briefed on the situation.
Meanwhile, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Brian Hughes admitted that the message thread was real but insisted that it posed no threat to national security.
“At this time, the message thread appears to be authentic. However, there was no compromise to our operations or national security.”
Hegseth and Goldberg’s Clash
Hegseth has strongly denied the allegations, dismissing claims that he leaked military secrets.
“Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.”
However, Goldberg fired back in a CNN interview, insisting that Hegseth was lying.
“No, that’s a lie. He was texting war plans.”
‘European Free-Loading’ Debate in the Leaked Chat
The leaked messages also revealed internal debates over whether the US should launch the airstrikes at all.
At one point, Vice President JD Vance appeared reluctant to support the operation, questioning whether Europe deserved US military support.
“I just hate bailing Europe out again,” Vance allegedly wrote.
Hegseth reportedly responded:
“VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC.”
Potential Legal Violations and Calls for Investigation
Legal experts have warned that mishandling classified information—even accidentally—could constitute a federal crime.
Additionally, the use of disappearing messages on Signal could violate federal record-keeping laws. The chat logs reportedly self-deleted after a set period, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.
Democrats Demand Urgent Action
Democratic lawmakers have condemned the leak as one of the most serious national security breaches in recent history.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for an immediate probe.
“This is a stunning breach of military intelligence. We need answers, and we need them now.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren also criticized the officials involved, calling their actions “blatantly illegal and dangerous.”
Meanwhile, Senator Chris Coons went a step further, suggesting that every official involved could face jail time.
“Every single one of them has now committed a crime—even if it was an accident.”
White House Stands by Its Officials
Despite the controversy, the White House insists that no immediate staffing changes will be made.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump continues to have confidence in his national security team, including Mike Waltz.
With Congress now pushing for investigations, this shocking security blunder could have major political and legal consequences in the days ahead.
