Defense Officials Used Group Text To Plan Missile Strikes
Mar 25, 2025
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A group text meant for military planning accidentally included a journalist, raising alarms about national security protocols. Officials scramble to assess the fallout and implications of this breach. The podcast delves into Senate Intelligence Committee hearings focusing on accountability and the risks of classified information leaks. Additionally, it highlights political tensions and the scrutiny of communication standards among government officials. How will this impact personnel decisions and the broader political landscape?
The unexpected inclusion of journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a sensitive military planning group text exposed serious vulnerabilities in national security protocols.
The incident revealed a troubling reliance on unsecured messaging apps like Signal for discussing classified information, risking the integrity of sensitive discussions.
Deep dives
Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Information
A significant breach of national security occurred when Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, was unexpectedly added to a group chat on the messaging app Signal, which included key officials from the Trump administration. Initially skeptical about the authenticity of the invitation, Goldberg accepted the addition on March 11, subsequently witnessing discussions about U.S. military airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This breach became evident when he received a detailed war plan during his car visit to a supermarket, followed by reports of strikes emerging on social media just hours later. The incident raises serious concerns about the management and protection of classified information among senior government officials, especially through an app that is not designated for such discussions.
Official Responses and Downplaying the Incident
In response to the conversation surrounding the breach, the National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the Signal messages and announced an investigation into how Goldberg was added to the chat. Some administration members attempted to diminish the gravity of the situation, labeling Goldberg as a 'deceitful journalist' and disputing the presence of classified discussions within the chat. President Trump defended National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, attributing the incident to a possible mishap involving a staffer rather than a severe failure in protocol. This manipulation of messages and attempts to downplay the seriousness of the breach indicate a consistent strategy of message control within the administration.
Concerns Over Secure Communication Protocols
The use of Signal for discussing sensitive national security matters contradicts established guidelines and raises alarms over the risks of sharing classified information on unsecured platforms. Experts pointed out that such conversations should not occur over widely available apps, even though some agencies may allow limited use for preliminary discussions. The Pentagon had recently warned about potential vulnerabilities in Signal, further complicating the trustworthiness of the platform for classified communications. Ongoing concerns about how securely top officials handle sensitive information highlight the need for stricter adherence to protocol in order to maintain national security integrity.
Before the U.S. carried out missile strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, senior Trump administration officials discussed the plan of action. Also part of the discussion: Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, who had inadvertently been added to a group message on Signal about the missile strike. How did this happen, and what are the implications for national security?
Note: NPR CEO Katherine Maher is chair of the board of the Signal Foundation, whose subsidiary makes Signal.
This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, and national security correspondent Greg Myre.
The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
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