"Potentially Severe Outcomes for US Pilots": Yemen Conversations Exposed

 

"Potentially Severe Outcomes for US Pilots": Yemen Conversations Exposed

The Atlantic reported that specialists had consistently warned that utilizing a Signal chat for highly sensitive topics "endangers national security."

After U.S. President Donald Trump and various high-ranking officials denied that any classified material was exchanged in the messaging group that deliberated an assault on the Houthis in Yemen on March 15, The Atlantic published the complete dialogue from the chats, including screenshots, indicating that it had obtained specific details over two hours prior to the bombing's commencement.

The publication highlighted that this data, particularly the precise departure times of U.S. planes heading to Yemen, would have put American pilots and other personnel at "even greater risk" had it been accessed by unauthorized individuals. 

The Atlantic's Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was unintentionally included in the group chat on the Signal app where the bombing strategies were discussed. Reportedly, this group featured Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, among others.

In explaining its decision to release the chat details in a new article on Wednesday, The Atlantic noted Hegseth's statement that "nobody was texting war plans," while Trump and others claimed "it wasn't classified information."

The piece, crafted by Goldberg and staff writer Shane Harris, underscored a quandary for The Atlantic. The magazine indicated it had previously held back specific details in an earlier article regarding weaponry and the timing of the attack in line with its principle to avoid disclosing military operation information that could threaten US personnel's lives.

"The remarks from Hegseth, Gabbard, Ratcliffe, and Trump—alongside claims from many officials in the administration that we are misrepresenting the Signal texts—have led us to feel that the public should view the texts to form their own opinions. There is a significant public interest in revealing the type of information that Trump's advisors included in unsecured communication channels, especially as prominent administration members attempt to minimize the importance of the messages shared," the magazine stated.

The Atlantic noted it inquired with various officials about their opposition to sharing the full text of the chat, receiving a reply from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who reiterated that no classified content was exchanged but stressed, "we do not support the release of the conversation."

"This was meant to be an internal and confidential discussion among senior staff, and sensitive information was part of that dialogue. For those reasons, yes, we oppose the release," the report quoted Leavitt as stating.