Exclusive: Leaked Signal Chats Reveal Trump Team’s Internal Debate Over Yemen Airstrikes
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A stunning security breach has exposed detailed plans for U.S. airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, orchestrated by top Trump administration officials in a Signal group chat mistakenly shared with The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. Leaked screenshots of the “Houthi PC small group” reveal high-stakes deliberations over military strategy, operational timelines, and political messaging ahead of the March 15 strikes—the first such action since Donald Trump returned to office in January.
The Leak: A Signal Group Gone Wrong
On March 11, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz accidentally added Goldberg to the encrypted “Houthi PC small group,” a forum involving 19 senior officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Waltz later adjusted the chat’s settings to auto-delete messages after one week, later extended to four weeks.
The group, intended to coordinate strikes and policy, operated under the “Principals Committee” framework—a cabinet-level body convened by the National Security Advisor. Discussions centered on finalizing targets, messaging, and the risks of acting hastily.
Key Revelations from the Chat
1. “High Side Inboxes” and Operational Secrecy
On March 14, Waltz directed officials to review a “statement of conclusions” in their “high side inboxes”—classified government email accounts—detailing taskings aligned with Trump’s guidance. The Pentagon and State Department were tasked with notifying allies, while the Joint Staff outlined strike sequences.
2. Vance’s Hesitation: “We Are Making a Mistake”
Vice President Vance openly criticized the timing, warning that the public might not grasp the rationale for strikes. “3% of U.S. trade runs through the Suez, but 40% of Europe’s does. We’re bailing Europe out again,” he wrote, urging a delay to “do the messaging work” and avoid economic fallout.
Joe Kent, Trump’s pick to lead the National Counterterrorism Center, echoed Vance: “There’s nothing time-sensitive here. We’ll have the same options in a month.”
3. Hegseth’s Push to “Reestablish Deterrence”
Defense Secretary Hegseth argued for immediate action, framing the strikes as critical to restoring “freedom of navigation” and countering Iran. “Biden cratered deterrence. We need to start on our terms,” he wrote, dismissing leaks and Israeli actions as manageable risks.
4. “BAM Shipping” and Economic Stakes
Kent referenced “BAM Shipping”—a term linked to protecting Red Sea trade routes—promising to share unclassified data. Waltz later emphasized Europe’s reliance on U.S. military power, noting European navies lacked capacity to counter Houthi drones and missiles. “We’re the only ones who can reopen these lanes,” he wrote.
5. Strike Timeline: “Godspeed to Our Warriors”
On March 15, Hegseth confirmed the launch:
- 11:44 AM ET: “Weather is FAVORABLE. GO for mission launch.”
- 12:15 PM: F-18s departed for the first strike package.
- 1:45 PM: MQ-9 drones launched.
- 2:15 PM: First bombs struck Houthi targets, including a building where a top missile operative was allegedly meeting his girlfriend.
Officials celebrated the operation, with Waltz praising the “amazing job” by CENTCOM and the intelligence community. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles added, “God bless,” while Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence) applauded the “great work and effects!”
Fallout and Denials
The leak sparked immediate backlash. Hegseth initially denied “texting war plans,” but The Atlantic released the screenshots, stating: “People should see the texts to reach their own conclusions.”
Critics condemned the use of Signal for sensitive discussions. “This is a staggering breach of protocol,” said a former Pentagon official. “Encrypted apps aren’t substitutes for secure systems.”
Broader Implications
Reactions
- National Security Experts: “This shows alarming casualness in planning high-risk operations,” said Jon Wolfsthal, a former Obama advisor.
- Human Rights Groups: “Civilian casualties are inevitable when strikes target urban areas,” warned Priyanka Motaparthy of Human Rights Watch.
- Trump Campaign: Dismissed the leak as “a Deep State distraction,” insisting, “President Trump restored American strength.”
What’s Next
Congressional Democrats vow to investigate the security lapse and legality of the strikes. Meanwhile, the Houthis have vowed retaliation, threatening further attacks on Red Sea shipping.
This report is based on verified screenshots and sources. Some names and operational details are redacted for security.
Source – NDTV
