By Guest 
In a jaw-dropping security blunder that has left the nation stunned, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accidentally sent highly classified war plans to a journalist, exposing sensitive military strategies in a Signal group chat meant for top Trump administration officials.
The shocking revelation, first reported by The Atlantic, has sparked outrage, disbelief, and calls for Hegseth’s immediate resignation.
The incident unfolded when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat named “Houthi PC small group” on March 13, 2025. The chat, initiated by someone identified as National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, included high-profile figures like Vice President JD Vance and other senior national security officials.
Pete Hegseth Accidentally Texts Top Secret War Plans to a Journalist
According to Goldberg, the group was discussing U.S. military plans to launch airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, a response to the Iranian-backed rebels’ attacks on Western commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
In a bombshell piece published on March 24, 2025, Goldberg revealed that Hegseth shared detailed plans, including the timing of the strikes—set for 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time on March 15. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Goldberg wrote. “I’d never seen a breach quite like this.” True to the leaked timeline, U.S. bombs began falling on Houthi targets in Yemen shortly before 2 p.m. that day, confirming the authenticity of the chat.
The leaked messages, which surfaced on X, show a mix of professional coordination and casual banter among the officials. One message from a user identified as “John Ratcliffe” praised Hegseth: “Good start Pete and your team!!
The team in MAL did a great job as well.” Another, from “Michael Waltz,” included emojis of a flexing arm, an American flag, and a fire symbol, signaling enthusiasm for the operation. But the inclusion of Goldberg, a journalist, in such a sensitive discussion has raised serious questions about the administration’s handling of classified information.
Public reaction on X has been swift and polarized. User @sumityou40, who first shared the story, demanded Hegseth’s resignation, writing, “BUT HER EMAILS. Hegseth should resign today.”
Others, like @FurFeather3, called for legal action against Goldberg, arguing, “The reporter at The Atlantic should be in prison for publishing confidential information.” Skeptics, such as @lisa19orb, dismissed the story as “bullshit,” while @Rechacho1 questioned whether the leak was truly accidental: “You really believe this was an accident?”
The National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the chat in a statement to The Atlantic. Spokesman Brian Hughes said, “This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain.” Hughes defended the officials, noting that the thread demonstrated “deep and thoughtful policy coordination” and that the Houthi operation posed no threat to U.S. troops or national security.
However, Hegseth himself denied the incident, telling reporters in Hawaii, “You’re talking about a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist who’s made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again.”
The incident comes at a tense moment in U.S. foreign policy. The Trump administration has resumed munitions support to Saudi Arabia to counter the Houthis, who have escalated attacks in the Red Sea since 2023.
According to the Atlantic Council, the Houthis have shown resilience against U.S. and U.K. airstrikes, evolving from an Iranian proxy to a Russian asset, complicating the regional conflict. Saudi Arabia, wary of further escalation, had called for restraint when strikes began in 2024, citing the Houthis’ ability to withstand years of bombardment.
Critics argue that the leak could have far-reaching consequences, potentially compromising U.S. military strategy and emboldening adversaries like Iran and Russia. “This is a FAILURE to protect sensitive information,” wrote X user @DreamNight52. “Hegseth should be brought before a congressional committee, investigated for ineptitude, and then fired immediately!”
Meanwhile, some voices, like Fox News host Will Cain, offered a more sympathetic take. In a post on X, Cain highlighted the “thoughtful, collaborative, and honest” deliberation among the officials in the chat, suggesting that the content of the messages should make Americans proud of their leaders. “This is how you would hope American leaders to talk,” Cain wrote.
As the controversy rages on, the Trump administration faces mounting pressure to address the breach. Will Hegseth weather the storm, or will this accidental leak cost him his position? One thing is certain: this explosive story has ignited a firestorm that won’t die down anytime soon. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding scandal!