The editor of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently added to a group chat with top Trump administration officials detailing classified war plans for a military strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This communication, using the unsecured messaging app Signal, was criticized by current and former national security officials as reckless, irresponsible, and potentially illegal. The officials emphasized that sensitive national security discussions should only take place on secure government communications systems to prevent the dissemination of classified information to adversaries. The use of Signal for such discussions raised serious concerns about the security and judgment of the officials involved, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The leaking of details about the impending airstrikes on the chat, including the timing, weapons, and targets, was seen as a breach of national security protocols and potentially endangering U.S. troops in the region. The officials questioned the competency and awareness of the officials involved, pointing out that any information related to imminent attacks is classified and should be treated with utmost care. The use of fist-bump emojis in the chat was also highlighted as a sign of inappropriate levity in discussions of such serious matters. Overall, the incident raised alarm about the handling of sensitive national security information within the Trump administration and the potential consequences for U.S. allies, friends, and institutions.
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