Top intelligence officials from former President Donald Trump's administration are under intense scrutiny after revelations surfaced that they discussed sensitive military operations in a private Signal chat group — one that inadvertently included a journalist.

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed on Monday that on March 13 he was unexpectedly added to a Signal group named "Houthi PC small group." The group, according to Goldberg, was actively coordinating a US military response to Yemeni operations in the Red Sea. The chat reportedly included some of the most senior figures in Trump's national security circle.

Goldberg stated that in the hours leading up to the March 15 US airstrikes on Yemen, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted detailed operational information in the chat. "Including information about targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing," Goldberg wrote, although he chose not to disclose the classified content. He called it a "shockingly reckless" use of a messaging app. 

According to Goldberg, participants in the chat appeared to include Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and senior members of the National Security Council.

Read more: Trump officials accidentally add journalist to war on Yemen chat

The National Security Council has since acknowledged the thread appears legitimate. "We are looking into how Mr. Goldberg's number was added," said a White House spokesperson. NSC representative Brian Hughes confirmed the authenticity of the chat group.

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Democrats Furious

Democratic lawmakers reacted with outrage. "The administration is playing fast and loose with our nation's most classified info, and it makes all Americans less safe," Senator Mark Warner, the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee held its annual hearing on global security threats. Members planned to confront both Gabbard and Ratcliffe, who were reportedly involved in the group chat. Committee Chair Senator Tom Cotton addressed the controversy during an interview with Fox News. "I'm confident that this group chat story from yesterday's news will come up today at the hearing, and that John Ratcliffe, Tulsi Gabbard and the other leaders will have a chance to address it," he said. Cotton added, "But I do hope that we keep the focus on the decisive action that the president took against these outlaw rebels in Yemen who are backed, let's remember, by Iran."

In the House, Intelligence Committee ranking Democrat Jim Himes announced he would raise the issue at Wednesday's counterpart hearing. "The American people deserve answers, and I plan to get some on Wednesday at the Intelligence Committee's Worldwide Threats hearing," Himes said in a statement.

Read more: US strikes on Yemen killed 8 children amid humanitarian crises: UNICEF

While some Democrats are calling for the removal of security clearances or even resignations of the officials involved, there's no indication yet that disciplinary measures are forthcoming. The White House has largely deflected, noting instead that the military campaign launched by Trump went according to plan.

In a post on X.com, the White House press secretary criticized Goldberg's reporting, saying he is "well-known for his sensationalist spin," and noted "the strong and decisive leadership" of President Trump.

Jeffrey Goldberg is well-known for his sensationalist spin. Here are the facts about his latest story:

1. No “war plans” were discussed.

2. No classified material was sent to the thread.

3. The White House Counsel’s Office has provided guidance on a number of different…

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 25, 2025