USA US government accidentally invites journalist into secret chat
The editor-in-chief of the US magazine "The Atlantic" claims to have been accidentally included in a secret US government group chat in which highly sensitive military plans were apparently discussed. A spokesman for the National Security Council, Brian Hughes, later explained that the chat was most likely an authentic communication. He announced an internal review.
24.03.2025, 20:35
SDA
In an article published only recently, "Atlantic" editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg describes how he became part of a group in mid-March via the encrypted messenger app Signal, in which apparently leading members of US President Donald Trump's administration discussed concrete attack plans against the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen.
In the chat with Vance and Hegseth
In his article, Goldberg describes the exchange between the participants in detail - with exact times, original quotes and a sometimes informal tone. The group members included Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other cabinet members and high-ranking government officials. According to the report, both military tactics and political communication surrounding the strike against the Huthi were discussed.
Details shortly before attacks
Particularly explosive: two hours before the start of the attacks on March 15, Goldberg received a message from Hegseth himself - with detailed information on targets, weapon systems and the timing of the operation. Shortly afterwards, air strikes actually began against Huthi positions in Yemen. The USA had recently reclassified the militia as a foreign terrorist organization.
When the first explosions were reported, Goldberg said he was finally convinced that the conversation was real - and not a fake. He left a short time later without being asked. According to his report, there were no questions about his presence. National Security Council spokesman Hughes attempted to reinterpret the mishap, arguing that the incident was "evidence of intense and thoughtful policy coordination between senior government officials".
