US President Donald Trump has downplayed security concerns after high-ranking officials mistakenly included a journalist in a Signal app group chat that revealed plans for military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump called the situation “the only glitch in two months” and said it “turned out not to be a serious one.” He added that National Security Adviser Michael Waltz had “learned a lesson.”
The White House has confirmed that an investigation is underway following The Atlantic’s detailed account of the incident.
When asked about the matter earlier, Trump told reporters at the White House that he was unaware of the incident. “I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of The Atlantic,” he remarked.
Democrats swiftly condemned the incident, calling it a breach of US national security and urging Congress to investigate.
Details of the Group Chat
The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed that he was unexpectedly added on March 13 to a Signal chat group titled “Houthi PC small group.”
Within the chat, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz instructed his deputy, Alex Wong, to form a “tiger team” to manage US actions against the Houthis.
Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the National Security Council (NSC), confirmed the authenticity of the chat and said investigations are ongoing.
On March 15, just hours before the US launched significant strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly posted key operational details in the Signal group. According to The Atlantic, this included specifics about targets, weapons, and attack sequencing. While the report omitted classified details, Goldberg condemned the leak as “shockingly reckless.”
Key Figures Involved
The group chat included accounts linked to prominent officials such as Vice President JD Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and several NSC officials.
Notably, Joe Kent, who was nominated as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, was reportedly part of the chat despite not yet being Senate-confirmed.
White House Response
A White House official confirmed that Trump had been briefed on the matter and that an internal investigation was underway.
NSC’s Brian Hughes described the incident as “an inadvertent error” but insisted it showcased “deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials.” He added that the successful Houthi operation proved no harm had come to US servicemembers or national security.
Pete Hegseth denied claims he disclosed sensitive war plans, stating, “Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.”
Goldberg, however, refuted Hegseth’s denial in a CNN interview, stating, “No, that’s a lie. He was texting war plans.”
European Criticism and Political Fallout
Leaked screenshots from the Signal chat revealed that VP JD Vance questioned the necessity of aiding Europe in the Red Sea conflict, describing it as “European free-loading.“
In one message, Vance reportedly wrote, “I just hate bailing Europe out again. Let’s make sure our messaging is tight here.“
Hegseth supported the sentiment, replying, “VP: I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC.“
Vance also reportedly warned about potential spikes in oil prices if the strikes proceeded, suggesting a one-month delay to align with Trump’s message on Europe.
Legal and Political Reactions
Under US law, mishandling or sharing classified information can be considered a criminal offense, raising concerns about possible breaches of federal record-keeping laws. Messages posted by Waltz were reportedly set to disappear from the Signal app, further fueling legal concerns.
As part of a broader crackdown on leaks, Tulsi Gabbard wrote on X that any “unauthorised release of classified information is a violation of the law and will be treated as such.“
Gabbard is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding global security threats.
Democrats Demand Investigation
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described the leak as “one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence in recent memory.“
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune agreed that the situation required a thorough investigation and added, “We’ll have a plan.“
Despite mounting criticism, the White House has not indicated any staff changes.
Karoline Leavitt, a White House spokeswoman, said Trump maintains “the utmost confidence” in his national security team, including Mike Waltz.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned using the Signal app for sensitive discussions, calling it “blatantly illegal and dangerous beyond belief.“
Democratic Senator Chris Coons added that the officials involved “have now committed a crime – even if accidentally – that would normally involve a jail sentence.“
