Exclusive leak: Chaotic signal chat exposes US Yemeni strike

Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of "The Atlantic," described how on March 11 he received an invitation on the Signal app from "Michael Waltz." The journalist was uncertain if this was from the actual Trump national security advisor.

Two days later, Goldberg was added to a group named "Houthi PC small group." "Michael Waltz" wrote on it that actions regarding the Houthis needed to be coordinated over the next 72 hours. The Houthi movement is an Iran-backed organization that controls part of Yemen. In recent years, they have increased the number of attacks on commercial ships passing through the Suez Canal.

Goldberg consulted with his colleagues. They determined that the group might be part of a disinformation campaign aimed at the Donald Trump administration. No one suspected that top U.S. officials would actually discuss battle plans on a private app. The presence of Goldberg himself in the group was also in question.

As described by the journalist, a user identified as "JD Vance," the Vice President of the United States, was said to have spoken in the group. He pointed out that he is currently in Michigan (and indeed the Vice President was there that day), but stated that hitting the Houthis was "a mistake."

"3 percent of US trade runs through the Suez. 40 percent of European trade does. There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary. The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message," was written from an account supposedly belonging to Vance.

Furthermore, the user said he was unsure whether the President knew that such an attack would undermine his previous actions on the European front. He also pointed to the possible rise in oil prices. "Vance" admitted that he could keep these doubts to himself but suggested postponing the strike and conducting it, for example, in a month.

The next voice in the group was from a user signed as "Pete Hegseth" - the Pentagon chief. He acknowledged understanding the doubts and also pointed out the problem of explaining the matter to the public, as "nobody knows who the Houthis are." He argued that the focus should be on two issues: "Biden failed" on Yemen and Iran's support for the Houthis.

"Hegseth" also thought that delaying the matter creates additional risk, such as plans being revealed or another military situation occurring.

"This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which Biden cratered," argued the user signed as "Pete Hegseth."

"If you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again" - wrote the user "JD Vance." The White House argues, indeed, that European countries benefit from the defensive actions of the U.S. Navy.

"I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC," responded "Hegseth." He nonetheless argued that only Americans can strike the Houthis.

A user described as "S M" - according to Goldberg, this is White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles - spoke up.

"As I heard it, the president was clear: green light, but we soon make clear to Egypt and Europe what we expect in return. We also need to figure out how to enforce such a requirement. EG, if Europe doesn’t remunerate, then what? If the US successfully restores freedom of navigation at great cost there needs to be some further economic gain extracted in return," wrote "S M."

In a subsequent message from "Hegseth," details of the planned attack in Yemen appeared, mentioning the exact target and the weapons to be used. As Goldberg describes - he did not really believe that the conversation was real until March 15, when Americans actually struck Yemeni rebel positions, shelling the Houthi Supreme Political Council headquarters, weapons warehouses, and command centres. Reports said dozens were killed and many others injured.

U.S. President Donald Trump then announced that the U.S. military had launched a "decisive and powerful" military operation against the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels. "Our brave warfighters are now striking terrorist bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American ships and restore navigational freedom," the President announced on his social media service, Truth Social.

Waltz then appeared on ABC television, where he emphasized the decisive actions of the Trump administration against the Houthis and criticized Joe Biden for a cautious approach.

As described by the editor-in-chief of "The Atlantic," there were a dozen people in the Signal group. He did not speak up even once, and no one was interested in him - he was labelled as "J G." Goldberg then directed inquiries to the administration about the group. Brian Hughes, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, responded and stated that the messages on Signal appear "authentic," and at this moment, they are checking how the journalist even got there.

This is not the only problem - according to lawyers Goldberg spoke with, using Signal for such conversations could violate federal regulations.