In a digital security breach that ignited a firestorm across Washington D.C., journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, claimed on March 24, 2025, that he inadvertently received sensitive war plans concerning Yemen from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth via text message. The alleged accidental disclosure of classified military information sent political circles into a frenzy and raised immediate national security concerns among American citizens regarding the safeguarding of operational details.
This article delves into the background of Jeffrey Goldberg and the details surrounding his revelations about the purported Hegseth group chat incident.
Who Is Jeffrey Goldberg?
Jeffrey Goldberg is the leading editor at The Atlantic, a prominent American magazine and website. His journalism career began during his time as editor-in-chief of The Daily Pennsylvanian at the University of Pennsylvania. Subsequently, he contributed to several esteemed publications, including The Washington Post, The Jerusalem Post, New York Magazine, and The New Yorker.
Throughout his career, Goldberg has conducted numerous interviews with former President Barack Obama, with a primary focus on discussions related to U.S.-Israeli relations.
“Nobody was texting war plans.”
— Pete Hegseth
— Carson Krow (@carsonkrow) March 25, 2025
Details of Alleged Texts Sent by Pete Hegseth to Jeffrey Goldberg
According to an article published in The Atlantic on March 24, 2025, Goldberg stated that he was purportedly added to a group message thread on March 15, 2025, discussing impending military actions in Yemen. He identified Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as other participants in this alleged Signal messaging application group.
In his published account, the journalist detailed receiving group messages beginning at 11:44 a.m. on March 15, which disclosed “operational specifics of imminent strikes on Yemen, encompassing details about designated targets, weaponry intended for deployment by the U.S., and the planned order of attack.”
Goldberg further noted the gravity of the situation, writing, “The information contained within these messages, had they fallen into the hands of a U.S. adversary, could have potentially been exploited to endanger American military and intelligence personnel, especially within the broader Middle East region.”
Authenticity of The Atlantic Article and War Plan Texts
Former President Trump addressed reporters, stating he possessed no knowledge regarding The Atlantic article or the purported text messages. However, White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes verified the apparent legitimacy of the reported texts.
Hughes, in an emailed statement reported by The New York Times, confirmed, “Currently, the reported message thread appears to be authentic, and we are investigating the circumstances under which an unintended number was added to the communication.” He further described the text exchange as “a demonstration of the robust and considered policy coordination among senior officials.”
Conversely, various news sources reported that Secretary Hegseth refuted the notion that war plans were disclosed via text messages. He reportedly informed journalists that “nobody was texting war plans” and labeled Goldberg as a “dishonest and thoroughly discredited so-called journalist.”