US National Security Team Faces Scrutiny Over Accidental Yemen Strike Plan Leak
In a startling breach of operational protocol, senior officials in the Trump administration reportedly exchanged military strike plans for upcoming operations in Yemen on a secure messaging app, inadvertently including a prominent journalist in the conversation. The messages were shared via Signal—a popular encrypted platform—within a group chat that included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other high-level security personnel.
“Why is this conversation happening out in the open?”https://t.co/EapkvRnekI
On Radio Atlantic, The Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg speaks with Hanna Rosin about being added to a group text with top Trump administration officials that discussed plans for a military… pic.twitter.com/ACwvzwpkcU
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) March 25, 2025
According to The Atlantic, whose editor-in-chief received the messages in error, the chat detailed planned airstrikes on Houthi targets, including sequencing, targets, and weapon systems. Within two hours of the leak, US forces began a coordinated military strike on Houthi positions in Yemen.
President Trump Dismisses Concerns
When questioned, President Donald Trump initially claimed he had no knowledge of the breach. Hours later, he appeared to downplay the situation, sharing a satirical post on social media suggesting the magazine wasn’t widely read and the leak thus inconsequential. While Trump expressed continued confidence in his national security team, concerns mounted across Washington.
The National Security Council confirmed the Signal chat was authentic and said it was investigating how the journalist’s number had been mistakenly added. Officials have not clarified whether the disclosed information was formally classified, but military operational details are typically protected under strict protocols.
Lawmakers React Sharply Across Party Lines
The fallout from the disclosure has been swift and bipartisan. Democratic lawmakers were quick to criticize the breach. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer labeled it “one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence” in recent memory. Senator Jack Reed, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, described it as an “egregious failure” that endangered American personnel.
Members of the House Intelligence Committee voiced similar alarm. Congressman Jim Himes, the panel’s ranking Democrat, said the incident warranted immediate scrutiny, suggesting that lower-level officials would have likely lost security clearance or faced prosecution under similar circumstances.
Republicans, while more cautious in their public responses, acknowledged the seriousness of the breach. Senator Roger Wicker, the GOP chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, committed to a bipartisan investigation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called for a thorough probe. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson adopted a more forgiving tone, attributing the leak to good intentions gone awry.
Debate Within the Chat Revealed Policy Divisions
Beyond the leak itself, the messages uncovered policy differences within the administration. Vice President Vance raised concerns about the timing of the strike, noting the potential for increased oil prices and public misunderstanding. He also questioned the benefit to the United States relative to European allies.
Hegseth, however, pushed for immediate action, citing the need to restore deterrence and protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The exchange revealed internal tension over the costs and optics of American military intervention in the region.
A spokesperson for Vance later clarified that the vice president fully supports the administration’s foreign policy, seeking only to ensure effective communication around the mission’s purpose.
Use of Signal Under Scrutiny
While Signal is widely used for secure communication, it is not a classified channel. Experts say it offers better protection than traditional SMS, but is still vulnerable and not intended for handling national defense operations.
In past administrations, including under President Biden, Signal was used selectively and mostly for logistical notifications, such as prompting officials to check secure systems for classified content. Use for discussing active military operations, as seen in the current case, is highly unusual.
The incident has reignited debate over secure communication protocols, particularly given existing laws governing the handling of defense information. Critics are calling for stricter enforcement and accountability, with the Pentagon already under pressure to plug leaks through expanded internal measures, including the potential use of polygraph testing.
As investigations continue, the episode underscores how seemingly small lapses in communication discipline can carry major geopolitical consequences—especially in times of heightened military activity abroad.
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