A high-profile security lapse has come to light involving the accidental inclusion of a senior U.S. journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, in a secure messaging group used by top officials of the Trump administration to coordinate recent U.S. airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

According to verified accounts, Goldberg received an invitation via the encrypted messaging platform Signal on March 11, appearing to come from National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.

Two days later, he was added to a group chat titled 'Houthi Small Group,' which included names matching high-level U.S. officials such as Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Goldberg, uncertain at first about the legitimacy of the chat, consulted colleagues and monitored the group.

The conversation included messages discussing military options, potential political fallout, and internal concerns regarding public messaging.

Specific comments were attributed to accounts identified as senior figures, with one message allegedly from Vance expressing concern about the operation’s alignment with U.S. policy toward Europe.

The account under Hegseth’s name reportedly responded with justifications for immediate military action, citing intelligence risks, the potential for leaks, and a preference for U.S.-led strikes rather than Israeli action.

The group chat allegedly contained operational details, including projected strike timings, target data, and deployment information.

The timeline shared in the chat corresponded closely with reported explosions in Sanaa, Yemen, that occurred on March 15.

Goldberg removed himself from the group shortly after confirming the authenticity of the communications.

He reported that none of the chat members acknowledged or questioned his presence in the group.

Following the incident, Goldberg submitted formal inquiries to the individuals named in the chat and to White House officials, asking for clarification on how he was added and whether such platforms were routinely used for sensitive military discussions.

A spokesperson for the National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the chat and described the messages as part of a real-time coordination process among top officials.

The spokesperson stated that an internal review is underway to determine how Goldberg’s number was added inadvertently.

The Defense Secretary’s messages in the chat, which Goldberg partially redacted in his report, included detailed military planning information.

The exchange was reportedly conducted with no use of formal secure government communication systems.

Vice President Vance’s office later issued a statement affirming his full alignment with the President’s foreign policy objectives.

The Trump administration has not publicly commented on any administrative changes related to the incident, though internal deliberations regarding the future of National Security Advisor Waltz are reportedly ongoing.

This development follows a recent increase in U.S. military activity in the Red Sea region and Yemen, amid ongoing tensions with Houthi forces.

The use of encrypted messaging apps by senior government officials for classified communication is now under heightened scrutiny.