In an unprecedented security lapse, Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to a confidential Signal group chat where senior Trump administration officials were coordinating military operations against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen. The incident, which occurred on March 15, 2025, has raised significant concerns about operational security and the handling of classified information within the Trump administration. 

Goldberg detailed the experience in an article published by The Atlantic, explaining that he received a connection request on Signal from an individual identified as Michael Waltz, presumed to be President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser. Subsequently, he was added to a group titled “Houthi PC small group,” which included high-ranking officials such as Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The group engaged in detailed discussions about impending military strikes, including specific targets, weapons packages, and timing. Initially skeptical of the group’s authenticity, Goldberg realized the gravity of the situation when the described attacks materialized as planned.  

The inadvertent inclusion of a journalist in such a forum highlights the risks associated with improper use of communication tools for classified matters.

The National Security Council has acknowledged the authenticity of the messages and is investigating the circumstances that led to this error.

The incident has raised concerns about operational security as the U.S. continues its military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.