On March 15, 2025, a serious security breach occurred when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared U.S. military plans in a group chat that included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. This chat took place on Signal, a commercial messaging app, raising major concerns about national security protocols.
Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, revealed he was mistakenly added to this chat by Michael Waltz, the national security adviser. He observed discussions of U.S. military operations against the Houthi militia in Yemen, which were set to begin just two hours later. The details shared included specific targets, weaponry, and attack sequences. The implications of such disclosure could have endangered American troops and intelligence personnel across the Middle East.
Experts have described this type of lapse as unprecedented in recent military history. For example, former national security officials suggested that using a non-secure app for such discussions violates operational security measures. Former FBI officials noted this breach could even fall under the Espionage Act, given the sensitive nature of the information shared.
In a conversation, Goldberg expressed his alarm: “Up until the Hegseth text, it was mainly procedural. Then it became war plans, and to be honest, that sent a chill down my spine.” He refrained from publishing the detailed war plans but acknowledged their gravity.
The Pentagon’s response was swift and serious. Several Defense Department officials expressed disbelief that such sensitive information could be shared in a casual chat. Senator Jack Reed, a key member of the Armed Services Committee, stated this incident epitomizes a failure of both operational security and common sense. He emphasized that military actions must be communicated through secure channels to protect American lives.
In Congress, reactions were mixed. While some Republican senators acknowledged mistakes, others, like Speaker Mike Johnson, felt no additional investigations were warranted. This sentiment was challenged by calls for an inquiry from the House Intelligence Committee, highlighting ongoing concerns about operational integrity within national security.
Social media reacted strongly to the news. Many users drew comparisons to past controversies involving classified information, particularly those surrounding former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her use of a private email server. Clinton herself responded to the incident with skepticism, reposting the Atlantic article and exclaiming, "You have got to be kidding me."
This mishap draws attention to how secure communication is crucial in military operations, especially in today’s digitally connected world. With cyber threats rising, experts advocate revisiting communication protocols to prevent similar breaches in the future.
For further reading on operational security and related national security issues, you can check out this briefing from the National Security Council.
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