Michael Hernandez
24 March 2025•Update: 24 March 2025
- Asked about report, President Donald Trump tells reporters, 'I don't know anything about it. You're telling me about it for the first time'
WASHINGTON
Leaked messages among senior Trump administration officials outlining US plans to strike Yemen's Houthi rebels are apparently "authentic," the White House said Monday after a bombshell report indicated that a journalist was inadvertently added to the sensitive messaging group.
"At this time, the message thread that was reported appears to be authentic, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain," National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in an emailed statement.
"The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to our servicemembers or our national security," added Hughes.
Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic magazine, disclosed in an article published hours prior that he had been mistakenly added to the group of senior officials on the Signal messaging platform on March 13 after receiving a connection request from National Security Advisor Mike Waltz two days prior. Alongside him in the group were Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Stephen Miller, a top aide to President Donald Trump.
The messaging group was established by Waltz as a forum to coordinate strikes against the Houthis amongst what is known as the principals committee (PC) - a small group of the senior-most national security officials, including those listed above, the Treasury secretary and CIA director.
Shortly after being added to the “Houthi PC small group” by Waltz, Goldberg began receiving messages from the senior officials debating whether or not execute strikes on the Houthis. An account tied to Vice President JD Vance initially pushed back on quickly launching the attacks, saying they would benefit Europe far more than the US, saying "3 percent of US trade runs through the Suez. 40 percent of European trade does."
"I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. There’s a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself," Vance wrote.
Hegesth quickly responded, saying he understands Vance's concerns, but added that the Pentagon is "prepared to execute, and if I had final go or no go vote, I believe we should."
"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. But, we can easily pause. And if we do, I will do all we can to enforce 100% OPSEC," he said, referring to operational security.
Waltz then said that regardless of whether or not the strikes are carried out immediately, or given a time buffer, "it will have to be the United States that reopens these shipping lanes."
"Per the president’s request we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans,” he said.
On the morning when the strikes were ultimately carried out -- March 15 -- Goldberg said he received messages that highlighted "the shocking recklessness of this Signal conversation," including key operational details of the strikes, including intended targets, and the weapons the US would use, just hours before they were carried out. Congratulatory message among the senior officials began to appear as the strikes unfolded.
"Kudos to all – most particularly those in theater and CENTCOM! Really great. God bless," said Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff.
Goldberg left the group the following day.
Asked about the report, President Donald Trump told reporters, "I don't know anything about it. You're telling me about it for the first time."
"I'm not a fan of the Atlantic. It's, to me, it's a magazine that's going out of business. I think it's not much of a magazine, but I know nothing about it," he added.
