Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Pentagon issues restrictive press credential policy; major news outlets refuse to sign — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a new Pentagon press policy requiring journalists to pledge they will not obtain unauthorized material and restricting access to certain areas without official accompaniment. The policy, presented in September and requiring signature by October 14 at 5pm or loss of credentials within 24 hours, was rejected by the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, the Atlantic, the Guardian, Reuters, Associated Press, NPR, HuffPost, and Breaking Defense. Hegseth responded with dismissive social media posts; Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell claimed outlets mischaracterized the policy as merely requiring acknowledgment of understanding rather than agreement.
• Major news outlets refuse to comply with Pentagon screening mandate — The Washington Post, New York Times, The Atlantic, CNN, Guardian, Breaking Defense, and Newsmax issued statements refusing to comply with new rules mandated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requiring that reporting on the Pentagon and military issues be submitted for screening and approval by the Department of Defense. Only OAN has signed the mandate so far. Newsmax stated the requirements are "unnecessary and onerous."
• Major media outlets refused to sign Pentagon press policy — Major media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal, said they wouldn't sign on to a new Defense Department policy that the Pentagon Press Association warned "gags Pentagon employees and threatens retaliation against reporters who seek out information that has not been pre-approved for release." The move marks a mass exodus of Pentagon reporters, who lost their press badges when outlets refused to sign on to the policy.
• Trump endorsed Pentagon press restrictions — Trump endorsed the Pentagon's new press restrictions, saying that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth "finds the press to be very disruptive in terms of world peace," and adding, "The press is very dishonest." Hegseth, who called the restrictions "common sense stuff," accused reporters of trying to get Defense Department employees to "break the law" by leaking information.

Supporting reports

• Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem made false claims about Portland — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated on Fox News that she is "saving Chicago and Portland," claiming "Portland, it's been dark and horrible for so many years. It been a train wreck." She asserted that "Gangs, cartel members, and known terrorist organizations have placed bounties on the heads of several of our law enforcement officers." The bulletin notes Noem has never visited Portland and bases her statements on Fox propaganda rather than direct knowledge or evidence.
• Illinois Governor Pritzker contradicted federal claims about Chicago — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated on CNN that Trump and Homeland Security claims that Chicago is a "war zone" are false. Pritzker said: "They're just making this up. And then what do they do? They fire tear gas and smoke grenades, and they make it look like it's a war zone." Pritzker also reported that ICE is "just picking up people who are brown and black and then checking their credentials," resulting in U.S. citizens being detained and arrested without proper documentation checks.
• Kristi Noem claimed Portland officials lied about city safety during her visit — During a cabinet meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that during a visit to Portland on Tuesday, she met with the governor, mayor, and police chief, all of whom she characterized as "lying" and "dishonest." She claimed the mayor said Portland was safe and beautiful, but that streets were cleared and a four-block radius was secured for her visit. The Wall Street Journal reported that Portland police daily reports from the month prior painted a different picture, with one sergeant noting on September 5 that only 8 people were present at a demonstration and "couldn't even get one of them to flip me the bird. Very low energy."

Supporting reports

• Oklahoma superintendent Ryan Walters resigns to lead conservative education non-profit — Ryan Walters, superintendent of Oklahoma public schools since 2022, announced his resignation on Fox News to become leader of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a conservative education non-profit. Walters had pursued a Christian nationalist agenda in Oklahoma schools, including placing Trump-endorsed Bibles in classrooms, requiring teaching of 2020 election conspiracy theories, and attempting to inject Christian viewpoints into public education while opposing teachers unions. He stated his intention to expand this fight nationally.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth orders approximately 800 top military generals and admirals to Quantico for unusual meeting — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered approximately 800 of the military's top generals and admirals, along with their senior enlisted advisors, to gather at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia the following week. The demand is highly unusual; no official explanation was provided for the meeting. Military experts noted the cost in flights and accommodations would be millions of dollars and the lost focus would affect military readiness, while the sudden global recall signals potential instability to adversaries and allies. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance downplayed the meeting when questioned by reporters.
• Trump threatened political violence in response to ICE facility shooting — During remarks, Trump stated: "Bad things happen when they play these games. I'll give you a little clue, the right is a lot tougher than the left. And they better not get them energized because it won't be good for the left," in reference to a shooting at an ICE facility in Texas. House Homeland Security Democrats responded that Trump was "openly threatening political violence."
• Defense Secretary Hegseth affirmed Medal of Honor awards to soldiers involved in 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that twenty men awarded the Medal of Honor for their participation in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre would retain their medals, reversing the review initiated by his predecessor General Lloyd Austin. Austin had ordered the review to ensure awardees were not recognized for conduct inconsistent with the nation's highest military honor. Hegseth called the soldiers "brave soldiers" and stated they deserved the medals, effectively closing the review process.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth announces decision to allow Wounded Knee soldiers to retain their medals — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth released a video announcing that soldiers who fought at the Battle of Wounded Knee will be permitted to keep their medals, declaring the decision final and their place in history settled. The Atlantic's James Surowiecki noted that the U.S. awarded 20 Medals of Honor to cavalrymen who killed hundreds of Lakota people, mostly women and children, at Wounded Knee—twice as many as the 10 awarded to troops who fought at Normandy on D-Day.
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth summons hundreds of senior military officers to Washington for speech on military standards — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals and admirals stationed worldwide to travel to Washington on short notice to hear him deliver a speech on military standards and "warrior ethos." A source described the gathering as an "eyeball-to-eyeball" conversation where Hegseth wanted to see the generals in person. The Washington Post reported the unusual summons of senior military leadership.

Supporting reports

• Department of Defense falsely claimed Pete Hegseth received valor medal — The Department of Defense posted a video claiming Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was the "recipient of the bronze star medal for valor." Pentagon reporter Konstantin Toropin fact-checked the claim, noting that public records show Hegseth received two Bronze Stars but neither was "for valor"—a specific distinction requiring special devices. The DOD later deleted the video.

Supporting reports

• Hegseth reposts segment endorsing pastor with anti-women views — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reposted on his personal account a CNN segment about pastor Doug Wilson, with whom Hegseth is affiliated, using the slogan "All of Christ for All of Life"—a phrase promoting Christian nationalism across all aspects of society including government. The original report noted Wilson's position that women should not have the right to vote. Critics interpreted the repost as reflecting Hegseth's own record on feminism and undermining commitments he made to Senator Joni Ernst regarding women in uniform.
• Pentagon posts biblically-themed recruitment video with Psalms text — The Pentagon, under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, posted a recruitment video on X featuring paratroopers and combat scenes accompanied by text from the Book of Psalms ("I pursued my enemies and overtook them / I did not turn back till they were destroyed"). The video carried the message "We Are One Nation Under God." Veterans and military experts report the move is dividing military ranks and reflects Hegseth's effort to infuse ultra-conservative Christian nationalism into Pentagon operations and messaging.

Supporting reports

• Hegseth orders Navy to rename USNS Harvey Milk — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist and Korean War veteran. The order removes the name of a decorated service member and civil rights figure from a naval vessel.

Supporting reports

• DOD social media account posted attack on press — Secretary of Defense Hegseth hired a right-wing social media influencer to run the official Department of Defense social media account. The account posted a screenshot of Trump's praise for Hegseth's press conference with the caption: "SecDef just called out the Fake News: 'I mean specifically you, the press core, because you cheer against Trump so hard…'" The post used the official DOD account to amplify attacks on the press and promote partisan messaging.

Supporting reports

• Pete Hegseth shared classified Yemen strike details in private Signal chat with family and associates — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent detailed information about planned military strikes on Yemen to a private Signal group chat he created, which included his wife Jennifer, his brother Phil, and approximately a dozen other personal associates and advisers. The chat contained operational details including F/A-18 flight schedules for strikes on Houthi targets. This represents a second unauthorized disclosure channel, separate from a previously reported Signal group created by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Sources confirmed Hegseth used a personal phone rather than a government device to access the chat.
• Hegseth's second Signal chat with sensitive military details revealed — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth created a private Signal group chat including his wife, brother, and about a dozen personal associates, in which he shared details of a U.S. attack on Yemeni Houthi rebels, including F/A-18 flight schedules. The New York Times reported the existence of this second chat on April 21, 2025. The revelation prompted calls for Hegseth's resignation from Democratic senators and criticism from former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, who described the Pentagon as experiencing a "full-blown meltdown" under Hegseth's leadership.
• SecDef Hegseth created Signal chat discussing sensitive DOD operations — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth created a private Signal chat group called "Team Huddle" with 13 people, including his brother and personal attorney, to discuss sensitive Department of Defense operations including bombing targets in Yemen. The New York Times reported the group's existence and composition. This follows an earlier Signal chat scandal involving his wife.
• Don Jr. declares John Ullyot exiled from MAGA movement — Donald Trump Jr. responded to John Ullyot's editorial criticizing Pentagon dysfunction by declaring Ullyot a traitor and officially exiling him from the MAGA movement. Trump Jr. stated that Ullyot has worked for years to subvert his father's agenda and that this behavior ends today.
• Hegseth's former spokesman publishes editorial on Pentagon dysfunction — John Ullyot, Hegseth's former spokesman, published an editorial in Politico describing the Department of Defense as in "total chaos" under Hegseth's leadership. Ullyot detailed mass firings, leaks of sensitive operational plans, and the departure of Hegseth's two closest advisers of over a decade. Ullyot stated the dysfunction is a major distraction for the president and predicted more significant stories would emerge.
• White House begins search for new Secretary of Defense — According to a U.S. official not authorized to speak publicly, the White House has begun the process of looking for a new Secretary of Defense. NPR reported this development, though the White House social media account subsequently denied the report as fake news.
• White House Press Secretary defends Hegseth — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement asserting that President Trump stands strongly behind Pete Hegseth and that he is doing a phenomenal job leading the Pentagon. She characterized the criticism as coming from a Pentagon working against the secretary and against the administration's reform agenda.
• Hegseth defends Signal chat use, blames ousted Pentagon officials for leaks — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his use of encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss sensitive military operations, including details about strikes against Houthis in Yemen. In a Fox News interview, Hegseth blamed fired Pentagon officials for orchestrating leaks and claimed the shared information was unclassified. The controversy follows reporting that Hegseth shared operational details—launch times, bomb drop timings, missile launches—with 13 people including his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, some lacking security clearance. An internal Pentagon investigation is underway.
• Pete Hegseth disclosed sensitive military intelligence in unsecured Signal group chats — Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth repeatedly shared highly sensitive military intelligence, including information on active strikes in Yemen and troop movements, through unsecured Signal group chats with his wife, brother, Trump administration officials, and a journalist. National security experts and former Biden administration officials expressed grave concerns that these disclosures have endangered Pentagon secrets, weakened U.S. defense posture, and made Hegseth and his circle prime espionage targets for foreign adversaries including Russia and China.
• Concerns over Pete Hegseth's unsecured communications — Reports have emerged that Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense, has been disclosing sensitive military intelligence in unsecured Signal group chats, raising fears that this behavior has compromised US defense secrets and made him a target for foreign espionage. Experts warn that such leaks could endanger military operations and expose the US to significant risks, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions with adversaries like Russia and China. Hegseth's actions have led to concerns about the integrity of US intelligence-sharing and the safety of personnel involved in military operations.
• Pete Hegseth used unsecured internet connection for Signal — The Associated Press reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection installed in his Pentagon office that bypassed the Pentagon's security protocols to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer. The connection, known as a "dirty" internet line, connects directly to the public internet without the security filters and protocols maintained on Pentagon secured connections. The Washington Post reported Hegseth used this workaround to continue using Signal in secure areas where personal cell phones were not permitted.
• Pete Hegseth ordered Pentagon makeup studio renovation — CBS reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered modifications to a room next to the Pentagon press briefing room to retrofit it as a makeup studio for TV appearance preparation. The project cost several thousand dollars at a time when the administration is seeking cost-cutting measures. The original renovation plan was estimated at over $40,000 but was scaled back. A DOD spokesperson stated that changes to the Pentagon Briefing Room routinely happen during administrative transitions.
• Pete Hegseth's chief of staff Joe Kasper departed DOD — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's controversial chief of staff Joe Kasper left the Department of Defense today, according to Politico. Kasper is the fifth top DOD official to leave the agency in the past week and was a central figure in a power struggle that cost three top aides their jobs. On Tuesday, Hegseth had stated Kasper was "staying with us" in a "slightly different role."
• Pete Hegseth set up unsecured internet line in Pentagon office to bypass security protocols and use Signal — Pete Hegseth, US defense secretary, had an unsecured commercial internet connection installed in his Pentagon office to circumvent government security filters and use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer. The "dirty line" allowed him to bypass both SiprNet (classified) and NiprNet (unclassified) Pentagon networks. Multiple personal computers were present at his desk, creating vulnerability to hacking and surveillance. The Pentagon's chief spokesperson denied Hegseth used Signal on government computers, contradicting reporting that he directed Signal installation on a desktop in his office.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth directed installation of Signal on unsecured Pentagon computer — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed staffers to install the Signal messaging application on his desktop computer in a secure area where personal cell phones are not permitted. The computer was connected to the internet via an unsecured commercial line, making it highly susceptible to hacking and creating a significant security vulnerability for classified communications.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth posted classified information in unsecure Signal chat — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted information he had just received from Army General Michael Erik Kurilla, who leads U.S. Central Command, in an unsecure second Signal chat containing his wife, brother, and personal friends. The information was posted from Hegseth's personal phone, violating security protocols for classified material.
• Hegseth's management of the Pentagon criticized for lack of expertise — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced scrutiny for his management style, relying on a small circle of advisors without significant experience in defense matters. His approach has led to internal conflicts within the Pentagon, including a breach of security protocols by using unsecured communication methods for sensitive information.
• Hegseth's unsecure communications raise security concerns — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was reported to have shared sensitive information from Army General Michael Erik Kurilla in an unsecure Signal chat with personal contacts. Additionally, he directed staff to install Signal on a desktop computer connected to an unsecured internet line, raising significant security concerns regarding the handling of classified information.
• Pentagon lacks confirmed NSA and Cyber Command director after Hegseth firings — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fired General Hauck and his deputy without stated reason, leaving the position of National Security Advisor and Cyber Command director vacant with no confirmed replacement or nominee. The position oversees the crown jewel of U.S. intelligence and signals intelligence (SIGINT). This vacancy occurs during sensitive negotiations with Russia and China, creating a gap in senior intelligence leadership.

Supporting reports

• VP Vance expressed disagreement with Yemen military operation in Signal chat — Vice President JD Vance texted concerns about the planned Houthi military operation in a Signal group chat, stating "I think we are making a mistake" and noting that only 3% of U.S. trade and 40% of European trade runs through the Suez Canal, suggesting the public may not understand the necessity of the operation. Secretary Hegseth responded by defending the operation as necessary to restore freedom of navigation and reestablish deterrence, citing risks of leaks and Israeli action if delayed.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth shared classified military operational details via unsecured Signal messaging — Jeffrey Goldberg reported in The Atlantic that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth texted him classified war plans for missile strikes against Houthis in Yemen approximately two hours before the operation commenced. Hegseth's message, sent at 11:44 a.m., included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing. Goldberg was subsequently added to a Signal group chat called "Houthi PC small group" with 18 senior officials including VP JD Vance, NSA Mike Waltz, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The White House National Security Council confirmed the incident occurred but characterized it as an "inadvertent" addition to the chain.
• Trump administration discussed military strike on Houthis via unsecure Signal app — On March 24, Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic reported that senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, discussed a military strike on Houthis in Yemen using an unsecure commercial Signal messaging app. Hegseth posted precise details of munitions and aircraft involved. The app was configured to auto-delete messages in violation of the Presidential Records Act. Neither President Trump nor the acting Joint Chiefs chairman was included; White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller apparently made the strike decision based on his interpretation of Trump's wishes. The White House declared the matter "closed" on March 31 without investigation or resignations.
• Atlantic editor added to White House Signal group chat discussing Yemen airstrikes — The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was added to a Signal group chat in which Trump administration officials, including Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, discussed and coordinated airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen. The breach was revealed when Goldberg published an article about it on Monday. Democratic senators interrogated intelligence officials Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe at a Senate hearing, criticizing the "sloppy, careless" handling of sensitive military operational details. The Defense Department had warned against Signal use due to Russian hacking threats.
• White House security breach: classified Yemen war plans shared via Signal with journalist — Senior Trump administration officials—including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and others—inadvertently included Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat discussing classified military plans for US strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Signal is not approved by the US government for classified communications. Goldberg discovered the breach, removed sensitive material including a CIA officer's identity, and published an account. The NSC confirmed the "inadvertent" inclusion; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it "one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence" in recent memory.
• Atlantic editor Goldberg disputes national security adviser Waltz's explanation for Signal group chat inclusion — Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, publicly disputed National Security Adviser Mike Waltz's account of how Goldberg was added to a Trump administration Signal group chat discussing imminent U.S. military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Waltz claimed Goldberg's contact was "sucked into" his phone via another contact; Goldberg countered on NBC's Meet the Press that the explanation was implausible and that Waltz had simply mistakenly added him because his number was already in Waltz's phone. The NSC confirmed message authenticity and said it was reviewing the incident.
• Trump administration officials share sensitive military plans in leaked Signal group chat — Pete Hegseth, US defense secretary, and other Trump administration officials including Vice President JD Vance and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz discussed sensitive details of a US airstrike in Yemen in a Signal group chat. Journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, was mistakenly added to the chat. The Atlantic published details on 24 March, triggering controversy. A subsequent poll found 54% of registered voters and 38% of Republicans believe Hegseth should resign. Trump has declined to fire anyone involved, dismissing the incident as a "glitch."
• Jeffrey Goldberg revealed Signal group chat with classified military plans — Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, published a bombshell article revealing he had been added to a Signal group chat of senior Trump administration officials, including Cabinet members, that focused on highly-sensitive, detailed plans for military strikes in Yemen. National security adviser Mike Waltz later took "full responsibility" for the breach. The chat contained classified information about strike timings, planes, and drones.
• White House accidentally shared classified Yemen war plans via Signal group chat with journalist — Senior Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, accidentally added Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat containing highly sensitive military plans regarding airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The messages were set to auto-delete within four weeks, potentially violating the Federal Records Act. The White House confirmed the leak but characterized it as "deep and thoughtful policy coordination," while lawmakers from both parties condemned it as a catastrophic security breach and called for investigations.
• White House security breach: classified Yemen strike planning discussed in compromised Signal group chat — Senior Trump administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and others, discussed operational details of a planned military strike on Yemen in an encrypted Signal group chat. The chat was compromised when National Security Adviser Waltz invited Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg to the group without authorization. Participants discussed messaging strategy, operational security concerns, and geopolitical implications. The Atlantic withheld publication of sensitive "TEAM UPDATE" material citing risk to U.S. servicemen and operations.
• White House officials' Signal chat group accidentally leaked to journalist — A journalist from The Atlantic was accidentally added to a Signal messaging group containing deliberations by 18 senior Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, regarding planning for strikes on Houthis in Yemen. The leak exposed operational security failures, classified military planning details, and internal disagreements on sensitive foreign policy matters. The incident revealed use of an unapproved commercial messaging app for highly classified discussions instead of secure government facilities.
• Secretary of Defense Hegseth and senior officials planned military strikes on Yemen via unsecure Signal messaging app — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior administration officials discussed and planned military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen using Signal, a commercial messaging app. National Security Advisor Waltz added Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg to the chat without authorization. Hegseth uploaded precise attack details before the operation, exposing timing and targeting information. The chat was set to auto-delete messages after four weeks and was conducted on personal, unsecure devices vulnerable to foreign intelligence penetration.
• Der Spiegel reports Trump officials' private data accessible online via hacked dumps and commercial providers — German magazine Der Spiegel reported that mobile phone numbers, email addresses, and passwords belonging to US national security officials—including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard—were discoverable online through commercial data-search services and hacked data dumps. The exposure followed the officials' use of Signal to discuss sensitive military plans for airstrikes on Yemen. The NSC stated that Waltz's accounts had been changed in 2019, but the report raised concerns about potential foreign espionage during the recent classified communications.
• Mike Waltz accepts responsibility for Signal group chat leak including journalist Jeffrey Goldberg — Michael Waltz, Trump's national security adviser, claimed "full responsibility" for creating a Signal group chat that inadvertently included Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg. The group, containing Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior officials, discussed operational details of planned airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen. Waltz said he could not explain how Goldberg's number ended up in the chat, though he suggested the journalist may have deliberately infiltrated it. The breach exposed highly sensitive national security information and drew criticism from Senate Democrats.
• White House Signal Chat Leak Reveals Security Breach — A leak from a Signal chat involving senior Trump administration officials revealed that top-secret military plans concerning US attacks on the Houthis in Yemen were inadvertently sent to a journalist. The chat also contained disparaging remarks about European allies, highlighting a lack of secure communication practices within the administration. This breach raises concerns about the handling of sensitive information and the potential impact on global stability, as it exposes the administration's reckless approach to national security matters.
• Signal chat leak reveals classified military details shared by Trump cabinet officials — A Signal group chat used by Trump administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, leaked to the Atlantic, containing operational details about US military strikes in Yemen. The messages included launch times of F-18 fighter jets, bomb-drop schedules, and Tomahawk missile timelines sent before operations occurred. Despite potential violations of classification protocols, federal record-keeping laws, and the Presidential Records Act, White House officials deny the messages were classified. A watchdog lawsuit seeks to compel preservation of the messages.
• Signal group chat leak: journalist Jeffrey Goldberg accidentally added to White House national security discussion — Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was accidentally added to a Signal group chat that included the U.S. defense secretary, White House national security adviser, and intelligence community heads discussing plans to strike Yemen. Goldberg reported on the leak, prompting administration officials including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to publicly attack him, calling him a "loser" and "deceitful" journalist. The incident raised questions about operational security and accountability within Trump's cabinet.
• The Atlantic published screenshots of classified Signal messages discussing Yemen military strikes — The Atlantic published screenshots of the Signal group chat messages in which senior administration officials discussed and planned military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The messages revealed that Secretary of Defense Hegseth had uploaded precise attack details including timing and targeting information before the operation commenced. The publication followed administration officials' repeated denials that classified information had been shared, and came after The Atlantic's reporters determined there was clear public interest in disclosing the information.
• Trump national security team discusses Yemen airstrikes on Signal messaging app with journalist present — President Trump's national security team, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, conducted planning discussions about airstrikes on Houthi forces in Yemen via the Signal messaging app. Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was added to the group chat and witnessed the discussions in real time. Goldberg subsequently published an article about the incident and later released a transcript of the chat. The leak prompted bipartisan congressional concern about the handling of sensitive information on an unsecured platform known to be targeted by Russian hackers.