A major security lapse has exposed detailed plans for U.S. airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, with screenshots of a private group chat among top Trump administration officials leaked to the media. The Atlantic magazine released the incriminating messages, which were inadvertently shared with its editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, via the encrypted messaging app Signal.
Leaked Chats Reveal Coordinated Military Strategy
The leaked messages came from a group titled “Houthi PC small group,” where high-ranking officials—including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe—were seen discussing the timing, coordination, and aircraft types to be used in the March 15 airstrikes.
In a shocking turn of events, Waltz mistakenly added Goldberg to the chat and later extended the message auto-delete timer from one to four weeks. The conversation detailed strategic elements such as “high side inboxes” for classified briefings and “BAM shipping” operations, referring to U.S. naval efforts to secure shipping lanes in the region.
WATCH THE VIRAL CHATS:
BREAKING: Jeffrey Goldberg from the Atlantic has released the entire chat of the Signal group where the highest U.S. officials discuss war plans.
The Atlantic redacted the name of a CIA agent. They care more about his life than Ratcliffe does.
Tulsi Gabbard lied under oath. pic.twitter.com/TEhIAMLWBf
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) March 26, 2025
Internal Concerns and Strategic Deliberations
The leaks also highlighted internal disagreements within the Trump administration regarding the urgency and potential consequences of the strikes. Vice President Vance expressed reservations about how the operation could impact global trade and oil prices, suggesting a month-long delay to refine the messaging and assess economic factors.
Meanwhile, National Counterterrorism Center nominee Joe Kent argued that the military could execute the plan at any time, questioning the immediacy of the strikes. Ratcliffe concurred, stating that a delay would allow for better intelligence gathering on Houthi leadership.
Final Decision and Execution of Strikes
Despite concerns, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed for immediate action, citing the need to reassert U.S. deterrence and restore freedom of navigation. The administration feared that delaying the operation could make the U.S. appear indecisive or allow Israel to act first, forcing Washington to respond under different circumstances.
On March 15, the chat messages confirmed the launch of U.S. F-18 fighter jets and MQ-9 drones, with missile strikes commencing at 2:15 PM ET. Reports from the chat indicated successful hits on key Houthi targets, with a specific mention of a top Houthi missile commander being killed when a building collapsed on him.
Reactions and Fallout
The leaked messages sparked immediate controversy, with Hegseth defending the administration’s decision while dismissing accusations of carelessness in handling classified information. Meanwhile, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and key Trump ally Steve Witkoff praised the operation, emphasizing the success of the strikes and the competence of military leadership.
With the leak now public, experts warn that such security breaches could undermine U.S. strategic operations and diplomatic credibility. The Trump administration has yet to formally respond to calls for an inquiry into the handling of sensitive military communications.
