The Atlantic has published a comprehensive account of a Signal chat involving senior US national security officials, revealing Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s specific details about upcoming airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis. This disclosure has raised significant questions regarding operational security, as Hegseth provided exact times for warplane launches and bomb deployments even before the aircraft took off.
This revelation emerged after intense scrutiny from US President Donald Trump’s intelligence and defence agencies, which struggled to clarify how classified details ended up in an unclassified chat that included Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that no classified information was disclosed during the chat.
The conversation prompted Republican Senator Roger Wicker and Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, chair and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, respectively, to seek an inspector general investigation into the Signal chat’s usage. They request a briefing with a senior official to clarify the events surrounding the leak.
Notably, the chat excluded the only military officer on the principals committee, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Christopher Grady, highlighting potential gaps in communication during critical military discussions. The Pentagon refrained from commenting, while Hegseth has denied sharing classified information, claiming he did not disclose any war plans.
Details shared in the chat were alarmingly specific, including strike plans and timelines, raising concerns about the potential repercussions on military operations. Hegseth’s spokesperson maintained that the information shared did not contain classified materials, asserting that it was merely an update on ongoing plans.
Despite the strict confidentiality typically surrounding military operations, Hegseth’s commentary included operational language and detailed descriptions of strike sequences, emphasizing a perceived authority over operational security. He noted that “Godspeed to our Warriors,” indicating a level of assurance regarding the strikes.
Moreover, Signal, while providing encrypted communications, is not designated for transmitting classified information and has vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited. Just days before the chats, the Defence Department warned personnel of risks associated with the app, highlighting the potential for adversaries like Russia to hack Signal.
Overall, this incident raises significant concerns about information security and the responsibilities of those involved in national defence, particularly regarding the use of communication apps for sensitive discussions. The implications of such disclosures could have far-reaching effects on military strategy and operational integrity.