Pentagon Accidentally Sends Attack Plan to Journalist in Major Security Breach

Washington, D.C., March 24, 2025, 11:30 PM PDT – In a stunning security lapse, a confidential attack plan detailing U.S. airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels was inadvertently sent to a journalist via a Signal group chat involving senior Trump administration officials, as revealed by The Atlantic on Monday. The incident, which has sparked outrage and calls for investigation, underscores vulnerabilities in handling classified information, as reported by The Washington Post and shared on X by @TheAtlantic.

Details of the Leak

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, disclosed that he was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat on March 11 by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The group, comprising 18 high-ranking officials—including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe—discussed plans for airstrikes on the Houthis, launched on March 15. Goldberg received “precise details on weapons, targets, and timings” two hours before the strikes began, per his article in The Atlantic. After the operation, group members reportedly celebrated with emojis, confirming the strikes’ success.

The White House, via National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes, acknowledged the breach, stating, “The message thread appears authentic, and we’re reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain,” as quoted on X by @WHNSC. Hughes later described the conversation as evidence of “deep and thoughtful coordination,” per NBC News, but the incident has drawn sharp criticism.

Official Reactions and Political Fallout

President Donald Trump, questioned on Monday, claimed ignorance, saying, “I don’t know anything about it. You’re telling me for the first time,” per CNN. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended the administration, asserting Trump’s “utmost confidence” in his national security team, including Waltz, as shared on X by @WhiteHouse. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded a “full investigation,” calling it “one of the most staggering military intelligence leaks in a very long time,” per The New York Times.

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, whose 2016 email controversy was a focal point of Trump’s campaign, reacted on X, writing, “Tell me this is a joke,” alongside The Atlantic’s article link, per @HillaryClinton. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg criticized the administration on X, stating, “From an operational security standpoint, this is the biggest screw-up possible. These people can’t keep America safe,” as reported by Politico.

Context of the Strikes and Houthi Conflict

The leaked plan detailed U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthi strongholds in Yemen, launched on March 15 as part of a 10-day campaign, per Euronews. The Houthis, who have attacked Western commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October 2023 amid the Israel-Hamas war, reported 53 deaths and over 100 injuries from the strikes, as shared on X by @HouthiMedia. Trump vowed “hell” against the rebels, reflecting his administration’s aggressive stance, per The Washington Post.

Goldberg, who withheld sensitive details in his report and left the chat after the strikes, expressed disbelief at the inclusion of a journalist in such a sensitive discussion, noting The Atlantic’s critical stance on Trump, per his article. The leak, involving specifics like weapon types and target sequences, could have endangered U.S. troops and intelligence operatives, as warned by Goldberg in The Atlantic.

Implications and Calls for Accountability

The breach, described as a “major operational security failure,” has intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration’s handling of classified information, per a 2025 Carnegie Endowment analysis on U.S. national security. Posts on X, like @NatSecExpert’s, warn of potential long-term damage to intelligence operations, while @TrumpSupporter dismissed the controversy as “overblown.” The Pentagon, redirecting inquiries to the National Security Council, has not detailed immediate actions, per AP News.

As of 11:30 PM PDT, the incident continues to reverberate, with lawmakers on both sides calling for accountability, potentially prompting stricter protocols for handling classified data.