Radio Atlantic The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Our Editor Their War Plans
45 snips
Mar 25, 2025 
Jeffrey Goldberg, the Editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, and Shane Harris, a national security reporter, dive into a bizarre incident where Goldberg ends up in a group text with top Trump administration officials discussing military plans. They dissect the surreal nature of governmental communication failures and the risks of using informal messaging platforms for sensitive discussions. The pair also explore the implications of leaked texts on national security and the chaotic dynamics within the administration, highlighting the importance of confidentiality in government operations.
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Accidental Text
- Jeffrey Goldberg received a Signal message from a user named "Michael Waltz", the same name as Trump's National Security Advisor.
- Goldberg was later added to a Signal group with top administration officials discussing a planned military campaign in Yemen.
Security Risk
- Sensitive information was shared on a commercial texting service, Signal.
- This poses a risk as anyone can join Signal, potentially exposing the information to unintended recipients.
Internal Disagreements
- The Signal group included messages from officials like Pete Hegseth and J.D. Vance, who expressed disagreement with the Yemen plan.
- Stephen Miller seemingly shut down the policy debate, stating the President's decision was final.