In a startling breach of protocol, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared operational details pertaining to a military strike on Yemen in a group chat that included a journalist. This breach raises serious questions over information security in the U.S. government.
Major Security Breach: U.S. Defense Secretary Leaks War Plans in Group Chat
Major Security Breach: U.S. Defense Secretary Leaks War Plans in Group Chat
A group chat on Signal sees Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth divulge sensitive military strategies just before an airstrike on Yemen.
In an astonishing lapse of security protocol, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leaked sensitive military plans during a group chat on the Signal app, according to recent reports from White House officials. This breached chat, which included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, occurred just two hours before an airstrike targeting the Houthi militia in Yemen, igniting significant concerns over national security.
The White House confirmed that Hegseth's communications took place outside the established secure government channels designed for classified discussions, with the breach attributed to Michael Waltz, the National Security Adviser, who mistakenly added Goldberg to the chat. Such an incident could potentially violate the Espionage Act, officials noted, given the sensitivity of the leaked details.
At approximately 11:44 a.m. on March 15, Hegseth shared the operational framework for upcoming airstrikes, outlining specifics on targets, weaponry, and sequence of attacks. Goldberg stated that had this information fallen into the wrong hands, it could have compromised American military personnel and intelligence operations, especially in volatile regions like the Middle East.
Vice President JD Vance, a participant in the chat, voiced his trepidation about the strikes, expressing frustration over what he perceived as U.S. efforts disproportionately benefiting European nations. Hegseth's reply echoed similar sentiments, lamenting the European reliance on U.S. military protection as “PATHETIC.”
As the Trump administration grapples with additional controversial matters—from import tariffs linked to oil purchases from Venezuela to potential friction over an uninvited U.S. delegation to Greenland—this security breach starkly underlines the vulnerabilities in handling sensitive information within the government. The unfolding incident continues to draw scrutiny, raising critical questions about the protocols in place for the management of classified military information.
