US officials 'accidentally' leak war plans to journalist; Trump responds
What's the story
A United States journalist was accidentally added to a group chat in which senior American officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, discussed their military strategy against Yemen's Huthi rebels.
The White House confirmed this security breach on Monday.
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, reported he received hours of advance notice about the impending strikes through this Signal group chat.
Official response
White House acknowledges the error
"I...knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming. The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan...The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing," Goldberg wrote.
National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes admitted the mistake, saying, "The message thread that was reported appears to be authentic, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain."
Information leaked
Sensitive details shared in the chat
Goldberg has revealed that Hegseth had shared sensitive information about the strikes in the group chat. This included "targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing."
He also revealed that he was added to the group chat two days before he received messages from other senior government officials appointing representatives for this operation.
Internal disputes
Concerns raised within the group
He wrote that on March 14, Vance said he was hesitant to go ahead with the strikes, saying he was frustrated at "bailing Europe out again."
European countries were much more vulnerable to Houthi attacks on shipping than the US.
In reply, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Hegseth argued that only Washington could do the strikes.
"Question is timing. I feel like now is as good a time as any, given POTUS directive to reopen shipping lanes," Hegseth replied.
Ongoing operations
US military operations against Houthi rebels
The Houthi rebels, who have ruled much of Yemen for over a decade, belong to an "axis of resistance" of pro-Iran groups opposing Israel and the US.
They have carried out several drone and missile attacks on vessels transiting through Yemen in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the Gaza war.
It has driven many firms into an expensive diversion around southern Africa's tip.
Reactions
Political backlash over the leak
The security breach has triggered outrage among Democrats.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it "one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time," demanding a full investigation.
Senator Jack Reed condemned the leak: "The carelessness shown by President Trump's cabinet is stunning and dangerous."
President Donald Trump initially claimed that he didn't know about it but later backed his national security team, saying he has utmost confidence in them.