Messages with Yemen war plans shared with reporter: Timeline of the events

ABC News - Mar 25th, 2025
Open on ABC News

The Trump administration faces intense scrutiny after The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly included in a Signal group chat with top national security officials, revealing plans for a U.S. military action against the Houthis in Yemen. This unprecedented breach occurred when Goldberg, added by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, witnessed the conversation that included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, discussing and executing an attack, culminating in congratulatory messages for a successful operation. The incident has raised serious questions about the security and appropriateness of using messaging apps for sensitive military discussions.

The revelation has sparked significant backlash from political figures, with top Democrats like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling for a thorough investigation. The mishap highlights potential vulnerabilities in the communication protocols of national security officials, drawing parallels to past controversies involving unsecured communications. While White House officials, including President Trump and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, downplayed the gravity of the situation, asserting that no classified information was shared, the incident underscores the need for stringent security measures in handling sensitive military operations.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The story provides a compelling account of an alleged security breach involving high-ranking government officials and sensitive military operations. It scores well in terms of timeliness and public interest, as it addresses current and significant issues related to national security and government transparency. The article is generally well-written, with clear language and a logical structure that aids readability. However, it could benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives and additional verification of certain claims, particularly regarding the classification of the information shared in the Signal chat. The story's reliance on a single primary source for the initial claim may affect its overall impartiality, although the inclusion of multiple reactions and official responses adds depth. Despite these limitations, the story effectively engages the audience and has the potential to influence public opinion and provoke meaningful discussions.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a detailed account of an alleged mishap involving the Trump administration, specifically the inadvertent addition of a journalist to a Signal group chat discussing military operations. The key factual elements, such as the involvement of Jeffrey Goldberg, the mention of a Signal chat, and the subsequent reactions from officials, align with external reports. However, discrepancies exist, such as the denial from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about sending war plans, which contrasts with Goldberg's claims. Additionally, President Trump's comments about the lack of classified information in the chat need further verification. The story is largely accurate but requires careful cross-referencing with official statements and other news sources to confirm specific details.

6
Balance

The article presents multiple perspectives, including those of Jeffrey Goldberg, various government officials, and political leaders. However, there is a noticeable imbalance in the representation of viewpoints. The story leans towards Goldberg's narrative, with less emphasis on the administration's denials and explanations. Statements from officials like Pete Hegseth and President Trump are included but tend to be overshadowed by the sensational aspects of the story. The coverage of reactions from political figures, such as Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, adds depth but may contribute to a bias against the Trump administration by highlighting criticisms more prominently than defenses.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the events chronologically. The language is clear and accessible, making it easy for the audience to follow the complex details of the story. The use of direct quotes and specific dates enhances clarity, providing concrete reference points for the reader. However, the inclusion of multiple reactions and statements without sufficient differentiation can occasionally lead to confusion. Overall, the article maintains a high level of clarity, effectively conveying the key points and developments.

8
Source quality

The story cites credible sources, including Jeffrey Goldberg, a well-known journalist, and official statements from the White House and National Security Council. The inclusion of direct quotes from government officials and political leaders adds to the reliability of the information. However, the reliance on a single primary source, Goldberg, for the initial claim may affect the overall impartiality. The story would benefit from a broader range of sources to corroborate the details of the Signal chat and the administration's response. Despite this, the sources used are generally authoritative and relevant to the topic.

7
Transparency

The article provides a clear timeline of events and includes direct quotes from key figures, which enhances transparency. However, the methodology of how the information was obtained, particularly Goldberg's role in the Signal chat, is less clear. While the story explains the sequence of events, it could offer more context about the verification process and the steps taken to confirm the authenticity of the chat. The potential conflicts of interest, such as Goldberg's position as a journalist reporting on a sensitive issue, are not fully addressed, which slightly undermines transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-officials-texted-war-plans-against-houthis-to-group-chat-that-included-a-journalist
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3SYuh1bhnA
  3. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/messages-yemen-war-plans-inadvertently-shared-reporter-timeline/story?id=120128447
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6BYh9eM9b0
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiXIuskbNQA