WashingTone

Informed by Washington, Defined by Insight
Friday, Apr 18, 2025

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Under Investigation After Journalist Added to Secret Military Chat

White House probes security breach after senior officials shared classified details about Yemen strike in encrypted group with unintended participant
The White House has launched an internal investigation after National Security Advisor Mike Waltz mistakenly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a private Signal group chat used by senior administration officials.

The chat included discussions of classified military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, reported that he was added to the Signal group, titled 'Houthi PC small group', on March 13, four days before U.S. airstrikes were carried out.

The group included high-ranking officials such as Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

The chat contained sensitive operational information, including strike timing, weapon deployment, and target details.

Goldberg confirmed that the information shared in the chat aligned with the actual strike timeline on March 15. He stated that his presence in the group went unnoticed by participants.

Some messages in the group were configured for auto-deletion, with timeframes ranging from one hour to one week, raising concerns about potential violations of federal record-keeping laws.

Defense Secretary Hegseth denied sharing classified war plans and accused Goldberg of misrepresentation.

Goldberg responded publicly, asserting that Hegseth manually typed operational data into the chat.

While Signal is widely used among U.S. government personnel for logistical coordination, it is not approved for classified communication.

Security experts noted that transferring sensitive information from encrypted government systems to an unclassified platform would require manual copying, suggesting possible breaches of national security protocols.

White House officials acknowledged the authenticity of the chat and stated that President Trump was unaware of the incident until informed by reporters.

Trump criticized Goldberg but did not comment on whether action would be taken against Waltz.

Internal sources suggest discussions are ongoing about whether Waltz will resign or be dismissed.

Some officials have described the incident as a serious lapse in protocol, while others have expressed concern over the political fallout.

Democratic lawmakers condemned the event, calling it a severe breach of security.

Republican reactions were mixed, with some defending the intentions behind the chat, while others labeled the situation as a major failure.

A Senate hearing is scheduled today with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who also participated in the Signal group.

The incident has sparked broader scrutiny of encrypted messaging use among senior U.S. officials for sensitive matters.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
China Urges United States to Cancel Tariffs Amid Escalating Trade Tensions
Arson Confirmed at Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence; Shapiro Family Evacuated Safely
China Raises Tariffs on U.S. Goods to 125% Amid Escalating Trade Dispute
Elon Musk Reports $150 Billion in Projected Government Savings Amid Fraud Investigations
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
China Stands Firm Amidst Trade Disputes with the US: A Factual Analysis
U.S. Tariff Escalation Sparks Global Trade Tensions
Australia Dismisses China's Suggestion to Join Forces Against US Tariffs
EU Postpones Retaliatory Measures Against US Tariffs
Maine Lawmakers Condemn Governor Over Trans Athletes in Girls' Sports Policies
US Revokes Visas for South Sudanese Citizens Amid Deportation Dispute
US Cancels Visas for International Students in Response to Crackdown on Protesters and Reported Security Risks
American Companies Facing Substantial International Revenue Impact Due to New Tariffs
President Trump Calls on the Federal Reserve to Reduce Interest Rates in Light of New Tariffs
President Trump Prolongs TikTok Sale Deadline by 75 Days
White House Ousts National Security Council Officials After Meeting with Advocate
International Responses to U.S. Tariffs: Varied Reactions from Key Economies
Kamala Harris Pursued Barack Obama's Support Amid Uncertainty Surrounding the 2024 Democratic Ticket
Ex-Biden Campaign Staffer Voices Worry About President's Competence Ahead of Debate Rehearsals
Amazon Enters the Bidding for TikTok Acquisition in a Last-Minute Maneuver.
Millions of Noncitizens Obtain Social Security Numbers During the Biden Administration
Europe Pursues Digital Autonomy Amidst Transatlantic Strains
DOGE revealed that USAID provided $84 million to the Clinton Foundation. Of this amount, $3 million was spent on Chelsea Clinton's wedding, while $10 million was used to buy a lavish mansion.
The State Department has announced the official closure of USAID.
President Trump Proposes Military Intervention to Obtain Greenland
Ecuador Gears Up for the Arrival of US Military Forces in Response to a Campaign Against Violent Drug Cartels
TESLA DEMONSTRATORS INTIMIDATE CYBERTRUCK OWNER, AIM SLUR OF "NAZI" AT THEM.
The Book That Mark Zuckerberg Wishes You Wouldn’t Read Becomes a Massive Bestseller
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Under Investigation After Journalist Added to Secret Military Chat
Ex-Business Partner of Hunter Biden Discusses Possible Pardon from President Trump
FBI Director Denies Report of Major ATF Agent Reallocation
U.S. Attorney General Announces Task Force to Prosecute Government Fraud
White House Investigates Security Breach After Journalist Accidentally Added to Secret Yemen Strike Chat
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has just signed off on a national debt hike to fast-track Germany’s militarization
Shield your Tesla from vandalism and risks with 'Sentry Mode'—an integrated security feature that notifies you of potential threats and captures suspicious actions. Discover how to activate it and safeguard your vehicle.
Tesla Cybertrucks Defaced During Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans
Usha Vance to Head U.S. Delegation During Greenland Trip Amid Discussions on Annexation
Elon Musk Files Lawsuit Against Jamaal Bowman for Defamatory Remarks
Johnson & Johnson Reveals $55 Billion Commitment to U.S. Manufacturing
President Trump Cancels Security Clearances for Notable Political Figures
The Trump Administration Cancels Legal Status for More than 530,000 Migrants from Four Nations
Netanyahu Dismisses Shin Bet Chief Amid 'Loss of Trust' and 'Qatargate' Corruption Investigations Involving Netanyahu's Advisors
Elon Musk to Receive Pentagon Briefing Amidst Business Ties to China
U.S. Approves $100 Million Precision Rocket Sale to Saudi Arabia Amid Ongoing Yemen Conflict
Deportation of Alleged Venezuelan Gang Members to El Salvador Raises Legal and Human Rights Concerns
Thousands of Drones Illuminate the Sky in Honor of Trump.
Leaders of the US and Ukraine Hold Constructive Conversation Amid Ongoing Conflict
Elon Musk's X Experiences a Valuation Recovery to $44 billion.
US Federal Reserve Reduces Economic Growth Outlook Due to Tariff Uncertainty
EU Charges US Tech Giants with Violating Digital Regulations
×