A representative of the U.S. administration mistakenly added a The Atlantic journalist to a Signal chat where national security issues were being discussed.

Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic editor-in-chief, described the incident in his article.

According to him, on March 11, he received a request to connect on Signal from a user named Michael Waltz, the president’s national security adviser.

“It immediately crossed my mind that someone could be masquerading as Waltz in order to somehow entrap me. It is not at all uncommon these days for nefarious actors to try to induce journalists to share information that could be used against them,” Goldberg wrote.

The journalist accepted the request, expecting to discuss security issues in Ukraine and Iran. However, the conversation took an unexpected turn.

Signal chat

Two days later, Goldberg was added to a group chat labeled Houthi PC Small Group. Among its participants were senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance.

The group was discussing strikes against Houthi forces and the impact of the Red Sea blockade on global trade.

Vance noted that only 3% of U.S. trade passes through the Suez Canal, compared to 40% of European trade. He questioned whether military action aligned with Trump’s policy toward Europe and suggested delaying the strikes.

Hegseth disagreed, arguing that the attack was necessary to restore freedom of navigation and deterrence.

Vance’s response was blunt: “if you think we should do it let’s go. I just hate bailing Europe out again.”

Hegseth supported the sentiment, calling Europe’s approach “pathetic.”

On March 15, the U.S. Secretary of Defense announced strikes on Houthi positions, detailing the planned targets and weapons.

The chat turned out to be real

Two hours later, explosions were reported in the Yemeni capital, confirming the authenticity of the chat’s discussions.
“No one in the chat had seemed to notice that I was there. And I received no subsequent questions about why I left—or, more to the point, who I was,” Goldberg wrote.

He left the group and informed government officials of his accidental participation, speaking to National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes.

He later informed government officials of his accidental participation. National Security Council spokesman Brian

Hughes responded: “This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain.”

Possible violations of the law

Waltz’s use of Signal to discuss national security matters may violate the Espionage Act, which regulates the handling of classified information.

Additionally, the chat’s disappearing messages feature could violate the Presidential Records Act, which requires the preservation of government communications related to official actions.

The administration has yet to comment.

US President Trump, when asked, responded in his usual manner: “I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of The Atlantic.”

The case of Jack Teixeira

Former U.S. National Guard airman Jack Teixeira was sentenced to 15 years in prison for leaking classified Pentagon documents, including intelligence on Russia’s war against Ukraine.

In March, Teixeira pleaded guilty to six counts of unlawfully retaining and transmitting national defense information. The prosecutors argued his actions endangered U.S. personnel and strained relations with allies.

Teixeira, 22, worked in IT at Joint Base Cape Cod in Massachusetts, where he had access to restricted materials. He shared maps, satellite imagery, and intelligence reports in a closed Discord group.

The leaked materials confirmed that U.S. intelligence had access to data from almost all Russian intelligence agencies. This caused a scandal and could have jeopardized U.S. intelligence operations.

The leaks confirmed U.S. intelligence had deep access to Russian security agencies, triggering a scandal that could have compromised American operations.

His trial was one of the most high-profile intelligence leaks in recent years.