The Atlantic has made public the complete Signal chat logs involving senior national security officials under President Trump. This release reveals that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed precise timings for warplane launches and bombing schedules prior to U.S. airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. These details, which would typically be classified, were shared before the military personnel executing these strikes were airborne.
The revelation has sparked intense scrutiny over the past two days, as Trump’s top intelligence and defense officials grapple with explaining how such sensitive information ended up in an unclassified Signal chat. This chat included Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insists that no classified data was shared on Signal. Meanwhile, Hegseth, currently traveling in the Indo-Pacific, has neither confirmed nor denied whether he posted classified information, dismissing inquiries by stating he did not reveal “war plans.”
In the group chat, Pete Hegseth shared:
- 1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package)
- 1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME – also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s)
- 1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package)
- 1415: Strike Drones on Target (THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP, pending earlier ‘Trigger Based’ targets)
- 1536 F-18 2nd Strike Starts – also, first sea-based Tomahawks launched.
- MORE TO FOLLOW (per timeline)
- We are currently clean on OPSEC — that is, operational security.
- Godspeed to our Warriors.
During a Senate Intelligence Committee meeting, both Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe indicated that it was Hegseth’s responsibility to assess the classification of the information he shared. The specifics revealed were startling and typically closely guarded to maintain military operational security. Hegseth’s posts included detailed timelines for F-18 and drone operations, marking exact moments when bombs were expected to be dropped.
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Goldberg noted that he had consulted with the White House before publishing the information, and although the White House preferred non-publication, it did not explicitly block the release. The use of Signal, a publicly available app known for encrypted communications but vulnerable to hacking, raises security concerns. Just a day before the strikes, the Defense Department alerted personnel about Signal’s susceptibility to hacking, particularly by Russian actors, underscoring the potential risk of sensitive data exposure.
Leavitt, along with two other Trump administration officials, is currently facing a lawsuit from The Associated Press on First and Fifth Amendment grounds. The AP alleges that these officials are penalizing the news agency for editorial choices contrary to their preferences. The White House, however, contends that the AP is not adhering to an executive order to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Impact on Daily Life
- Security Concerns: The use of unsecured communication channels for sensitive military information can pose risks to national and individual security, highlighting the importance of safeguarding classified data.
- Public Trust: The incident may affect public trust in government officials’ ability to protect confidential information, emphasizing the need for stricter adherence to security protocols.
- Media Relations: The clash between the Trump administration and media outlets like The Atlantic and the AP could influence public perception of media freedom and governmental transparency.
- Legal Implications: The ongoing lawsuit against Leavitt and other officials might set precedents regarding media rights and governmental oversight, impacting future interactions between the press and state entities.
- Technology and Privacy: The vulnerabilities of communication tools like Signal raise awareness about personal and professional data security, encouraging users to be more cautious with digital communications.
