A major security blunder has been revealed in the White House, as a journalist was accidentally added to a group chat discussing top-secret war plans involving a military strike in Yemen. The journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic magazine, found himself included in a Signal message group along with Vice-President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Goldberg was able to see classified military plans for US strikes on Houthi rebels, including detailed information on weapons packages, targets, and timing, two hours before the first bombs struck. The incident occurred after Goldberg received a connection request from an account that appeared to be White House National Security Adviser Michael Waltz.
President Donald Trump expressed ignorance of the situation, but his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, reassured the public of the administration’s confidence in the national security team.
The airstrikes on the Houthis in Yemen were described as “decisive and powerful” by the US, but the security breach raises concerns about the safety and confidentiality of sensitive information. The use of Signal, an encrypted messaging app, by journalists and officials for secure communication was exploited in this instance, highlighting the importance of safeguarding confidential data.
The inclusion of top national security officials in the group chat, including Vice-President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, underscores the gravity of the security lapse. The incident exposes vulnerabilities in the communication protocols within the White House and raises questions about the handling of sensitive information.
The revelation of this security blunder has sparked speculation and criticism, as the US government faces scrutiny over its handling of classified military operations. As investigations continue, the consequences of this breach remain to be seen.
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