Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief at The Atlantic, shares his experience of inadvertently receiving secret U.S. military plans from high-ranking Trump officials via a group chat. He delves into the complexities of political communication and the chaotic dynamics of Washington politics. The conversation reveals the implications for U.S. military strategy in Yemen and the challenges of investigative journalism amidst such security breaches. Goldberg also reflects on the fallout and accountability within government communications following this unexpected leak.
The inadvertent addition of a journalist to a military group chat exposed sensitive U.S. military plans, raising serious national security concerns.
The incident underscores the need for improved communication protocols and accountability among high-level officials regarding sensitive information.
Deep dives
Departure of the Host and Transition Plans
The host expresses her decision to step down after three years, returning to her passion for reporting. She acknowledges the difficulty of this choice, highlighting her attachment to the show and its listeners. The presence of new voices indicates a transition period as they search for a permanent replacement. She reassures listeners that she may guest host in the future, emphasizing her ongoing connection to the program.
Accidental Group Chat Inclusion Revealed
A significant breach of national security occurred when a prominent journalist was inadvertently added to a group chat that included key Trump administration officials. The journalist initially suspected a scam but soon realized the group was discussing sensitive U.S. military plans regarding the Houthis in Yemen. This revelation sheds light on the unusual and informal communication practices employed by high-level officials. The transcription of substantive discussions raised concerns over the security and effectiveness of such messaging platforms.
Details of Military Planning Exposed
The group chat revealed detailed U.S. military attack plans, including the timing, targets, and weapons to be used against the Houthis. A significant text from a cabinet member outlined the military operation set to occur shortly after the chat was initiated. The journalist confirmed the military action took place as described in the chat, raising serious questions about the protocols in place for discussing sensitive national security issues. This incident highlighted the dangerous potential for compromised missions if adversaries gain access to such information.
Concerns About Accountability and Security
The discussion led to broader questions regarding accountability for the officials involved in the security breach. Concerns were raised about whether proper laws were violated and the potential for political fallout. The contrasting reactions to this incident compared to past scrutiny of other administrations illustrate a troubling disregard for security protocols. Overall, there is an urgent call for better practices and adherence to established security measures to prevent similar breaches in the future.
This week, top Trump officials inadvertently shared secret U.S. military plans with a prominent journalist after mistakenly adding him to a group chat.
The journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, who is editor in chief at The Atlantic, discusses what he was thinking as he read the messages and what he makes of the fallout.
Guest: Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief at The Atlantic.
President Trump has downplayed the leak and pointed the finger at Mr. Goldberg.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times
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