The Atlantic dropped a bombshell Wednesday. It published what it called “attack plans” leaked from a Signal group chat of Trump officials.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are under fire. Editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a private chat with them, VP JD Vance, and others.
Hegseth insists, “nobody was texting war plans.” Tulsi Gabbard told a Senate hearing, “no classified material” was shared.
One message, attributed to Hegseth, detailed mission timing: “Weather is FAVORABLE… we are a GO for mission launch.” He mentioned F-18s, drones, and exact strike windows.
Later, Hegseth reportedly texted, “first sea-based Tomahawks launched” and added, “Godspeed to our Warriors.” He also said, “we are currently clean on OPSEC.”
Waltz allegedly shared that their first target was eliminated. “We had positive ID… it’s now collapsed.” Vance replied, “Excellent.”
The Atlantic’s report argued the public should see the texts. “There is a clear public interest,” wrote Goldberg and Shane Harris.
They warned using Signal for such info is risky. Goldberg got attack details two hours early. If leaked, they say, it could’ve endangered U.S. forces.
Hegseth clapped back. “No names. No targets. No locations… No classified information,” he said. “Jeff Goldberg has never seen a war plan… not even close.”
Vance added, “It’s very clear Goldberg oversold what he had.” He also accused Goldberg of falsely attacking Ratcliffe over CIA info.
The Atlantic said a CIA spokesperson asked them to withhold a name Ratcliffe shared. The name belonged to his chief of staff.
Waltz wrote on X: “NO WAR PLANS. Foreign partners had already been notified… President Trump is protecting America.”
Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich slammed The Atlantic. “They LIED to perpetuate yet ANOTHER hoax,” he said. “What scumbags!”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed him. “This entire story was another hoax… sensationalist spin,” she said.
Some Democrats want Hegseth gone. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote to Trump, demanding he be “fired immediately.”
Jeffries accused Hegseth of recklessly leaking attack details. “His behavior shocks the conscience,” he wrote.
Hegseth, when pressed, stood firm. “Nobody’s texting war plans,” he repeated. “I know exactly what I’m doing… really proud of what we accomplished.”