The Trump administration has confirmed that a journalist from The Atlantic magazine was included in a private social media chat about military actions against the Houthi armed group in Yemen. The journalist, editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, described being added to a group chat with high-level government officials discussing upcoming attacks on the Houthis.
Goldberg received an invite from a user named “Michael Waltz” on the encrypted messaging app Signal, leading him to be part of a conversation with 18 government officials discussing military actions. He ultimately notified the White House about the security breach and removed himself from the chat.
The National Security Council confirmed the incident, stating that they are reviewing how the journalist was inadvertently added to the chain. Critics are calling for an investigation into the breach, with Senator Chris Coons suggesting a hearing for accountability.
The chat revealed discussions about an imminent attack on Houthi strongholds in Yemen, with different officials expressing concerns and opinions on the matter. The Trump administration had recently designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization and had begun military actions against them following a series of events that escalated tensions in the region.
Goldberg questioned the legality and security implications of officials discussing sensitive military action on a social media platform and raised concerns about potential leaks and violations of public records law. The incident has sparked calls for accountability and transparency within the government.
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