Trump Downplays Yemen Chat Leak, Calls It ‘Only Glitch in Two Months’
US President Donald Trump has dismissed security concerns after a journalist was inadvertently added to a top-secret group chat discussing airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, calling it “the only glitch in two months.” The National Security Council (NSC) is investigating how the breach occurred, while the White House insists no classified information was shared. The incident has raised questions about the Trump administration’s handling of sensitive communications.
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, revealed he was invited to a Signal group chat by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, which included senior officials like Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The chat discussed planned US airstrikes on Yemen, exposing a significant security lapse.
Trump, speaking to NBC News, downplayed the incident, stating, “It was the only glitch in two months, and it turned out not to be a serious one.” He added that Waltz had “learned a lesson.” The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, clarified on X, “No ‘war plans’ were discussed, and no classified material was sent to the thread,” despite the confirmed breach.
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Goldberg reported that Hegseth shared specifics in the chat, including “targets, weapons the US would be deploying, and attack sequencing.” He noted Hegseth’s message indicated the first detonations in Yemen would occur at 1:45 pm Eastern Time, a timeline that aligned with events on the ground. Hegseth, however, denied sharing war plans and criticized Goldberg while speaking to reporters.
The NSC has launched an investigation into how a journalist’s number was added to the Signal group chat, acknowledging the incident as a mistake. Hegseth, a former Fox News host with no prior experience managing large organizations like the Pentagon, deflected responsibility, insisting the breach was not significant despite the White House’s confirmation.
The NSC’s investigation will likely focus on improving communication protocols to prevent future breaches. The incident may fuel criticism of the Trump administration’s national security practices, especially given the involvement of high-profile officials. Further updates on the probe and potential policy changes are expected in the coming weeks.
