White House Confirms Journalist Inadvertently Added to Insecure Group Chat
The White House recently confirmed that journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic magazine was mistakenly added to an insecure group chat involving top US national security officials and Vice-President JD Vance. The group was engaged in discussions and planning for a military strike in Yemen.
According to reports, Goldberg found himself included in a Signal message group that included Vice-President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth among its members. In this group chat, Goldberg was privy to classified military plans for US strikes on Houthi rebels, including details of weapons packages, targets, and timing, which he saw two hours before the first bombs struck.
Goldberg stated that he was added to the message chain unintentionally after receiving a connection request that appeared to be from White House National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. However, President Donald Trump expressed unawareness of The Atlantic article, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the success and effectiveness of the attacks on the Houthis, affirming Trump’s confidence in his national security team.
On March 15, the US launched a series of air strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, described as “decisive and powerful.” Four days prior, on March 11, Goldberg received the connection request on Signal from an account purported to be Mr. Waltz’s. Signal, known for its secure communications features, is commonly used by journalists and Washington officials.
Goldberg detailed his inclusion in the Signal chat titled “Houthi PC small group,” which had cabinet members and national security officials among its 18 participants. Accounts bearing names like “JD Vance,” “Pete Hegseth,” and “John Ratcliffe” were identified in the chat, along with top national security officials from various agencies.
The incident involving Goldberg being inadvertently added to the group chat sparked widespread attention and raised concerns about the security and privacy of sensitive government discussions. The White House’s confirmation of this occurrence highlights the need for stringent measures to safeguard classified information and maintain the integrity of national security communications.
In conclusion, the unintended inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg in the group chat sheds light on the complexities and challenges of maintaining secure communications in an era where digital privacy and confidentiality are paramount. This incident underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols and heightened vigilance in protecting sensitive government discussions from unauthorized access.