Pete Hegseth: 'Nobody Was Texting War Plans' - Denies Jeffrey Goldberg's Claim

Fact-Check: The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg in Top Secret Yemen War Chat Jeffrey Goldberg unexpectedly gained access to classified discussions among top Trump officials regarding military actions in Yemen. How did this happen, and what does it ...

Goldberg's report, published on March 24, ignited intense controversy and security concerns in Washington, D.C.

Pete Hegseth Denies Jeffrey Goldberg's Claim Of Trump Admin Sharing Yemen War Plans With Him

What Jeffrey Goldberg Claims

Goldberg reported being inadvertently added to a Signal group chat named "Houthi PC small group," involving 18 high-ranking Trump administration officials, including:

• Vice President JD Vance

• National Security Advisor Michael Waltz

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Goldberg claimed Vice President Vance voiced serious concerns about the administration’s Yemen strategy. More notably, Goldberg described Hegseth outlining a detailed military plan, including:

• Target locations

• Weapon types

• Attack sequencing

According to Goldberg, these discussed strikes began precisely at 1:45 PM ET on March 15 as planned.

Hegseth’s Strong Denial

In a press briefing at the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth strongly refuted Goldberg’s allegations:

“Nobody was texting war plans. The idea that classified information or specific operational details were casually shared via an unsecured messaging app is not only false but utterly absurd.”

He described Goldberg as a "deceitful and highly discredited, so-called journalist," reinforcing that the Trump administration strictly follows established protocols for classified communications.

When further pressed by reporters, Hegseth reiterated:

“Nobody was texting war plans, and that's all I have to say about that.”

He also praised the military operation, confidently stating, "We will ultimately decimate the Houthis."

Did Trump Administration Share Top Secret War Plans With The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg

White House Confirms Authenticity

Contrary to Hegseth’s denial, White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes confirmed the Signal group's authenticity. In an official statement, Hughes remarked:

“At this time, the message thread appears to be authentic, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added. The thread demonstrates deep and thoughtful policy coordination among senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates no threats to our servicemembers or national security.”

Political Reaction and Concerns

Goldberg’s explosive revelations triggered a bipartisan uproar in Washington:

• Democrats, including Representative Pat Ryan from the House Armed Services Committee, called it a "deeply troubling security breach."

• Republicans dismissed Goldberg’s claims as exaggerated, suggesting political motivations.

Expert Opinions and Security Implications

Security analysts and experts have expressed serious concerns over potential implications:

• Dr. Margaret Collins, cybersecurity expert at Georgetown University, warned:

“If Goldberg’s allegations are true, it constitutes a severe violation of operational security (OPSEC). Informal discussions, even partially detailed, can significantly compromise missions and endanger personnel.”

• Conversely, Brandon Foster from the conservative American Defense Forum argued:

“Preliminary policy discussions rarely involve explicit classified details. Goldberg’s account may misrepresent the actual content or nature of these conversations.”

Vice President Vance’s Statement

Vice President JD Vance supported Hegseth’s denial but admitted Goldberg’s inclusion was an error:

“Mr. Goldberg’s presence was accidental. However, no critical national security details were shared. Internal strategic debates are standard, but no operational specifics were revealed.”

What’s Next?

The White House National Security Council has initiated an internal investigation into the specifics of Goldberg’s accidental inclusion, aiming to strengthen procedures and identify necessary actions.

Conclusion

While Pete Hegseth and Trump administration officials strongly deny Goldberg’s claims, unanswered questions remain. This controversy highlights ongoing challenges in protecting sensitive national security communications in a digital age. Policymakers and the public await the investigation’s results for a definitive conclusion.

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