White House denies 'war plans' discussed in Signal chat on Yemen

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

The White House National Security Council is investigating how Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added to a secretive Signal app group chat. This group included top U.S. military officials discussing potential strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen. Notable figures in the chat included Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Mike Waltz. Despite the accidental inclusion, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that no classified information was shared in the chat. President Trump expressed continued confidence in Waltz, calling him a 'good man' who had learned a lesson.

The incident has sparked outrage among Democrats, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling for a thorough investigation. They criticized the use of a non-classified communication platform for discussing sensitive military operations, describing it as a significant breach of military intelligence. The controversy underscores the broader issues of communication security and protocol adherence within the Trump administration. The story, which has political and security implications, continues to develop as further details emerge.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded account of a developing story involving a potential security breach in government communications. It effectively uses credible sources and presents a balanced view by including statements from various stakeholders. The clarity and timeliness of the article are commendable, as it addresses a current issue with significant public interest. However, the story could benefit from additional verification of specific claims, particularly regarding the content of the Signal chat and whether classified information was shared. Overall, the article is informative and engaging, with the potential to influence public opinion and prompt policy discussions on government transparency and communication security.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story appears to present accurate information based on the available evidence, particularly regarding the inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat with high-ranking officials. The claim that Goldberg was inadvertently added by Mike Waltz is supported by Goldberg's own account. However, the story lacks concrete evidence about the nature of the discussions in the chat, specifically whether any classified information was shared. The White House's denial of discussing 'war plans' and the assertion that no classified material was shared are key points that require further verification. The story's accuracy is generally supported, but some claims, like the exact content of the group chat, remain unverified.

6
Balance

The article presents perspectives from both government officials and political opponents, providing a degree of balance. It includes statements from the White House, Jeffrey Goldberg, and Democratic leaders like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer. However, the article leans slightly towards highlighting the criticisms from Democratic leaders without equally presenting responses from Republican figures or those directly involved in the chat. This could lead to a perception of bias, as the narrative focuses more on the potential breach rather than the defense provided by the White House.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. The language is straightforward, and the key points are logically presented. The inclusion of direct quotes from various stakeholders helps clarify their positions. However, the story could benefit from a clearer distinction between verified facts and claims that are still under investigation, which would help readers better understand the nuances of the situation.

8
Source quality

The article cites credible sources, including Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic, the White House press secretary, and statements from political leaders. The inclusion of multiple contributors from ABC News adds to the reliability of the reporting. However, the reliance on a single primary source for the group chat information—Goldberg—could be seen as a limitation. Additional corroboration from other participants in the chat would strengthen the source quality.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in attributing its information to specific sources, such as The Atlantic and ABC News. It clearly outlines who contributed to the report and provides context for the claims made. However, it lacks detailed explanation of the methodologies used to verify the claims, particularly regarding the content of the Signal chat and whether any classified information was indeed shared. More transparency in these areas would enhance the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-downplays-officials-texting-military-attack-plans-on-signal-as-minor-glitch
  2. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-officials-accidentally-shared-yemen-war-plans-group/story?id=120106043
  3. https://www.euronews.com/2025/03/25/us-defence-secretary-leaks-yemen-plans-in-secure-chat-with-journalist-nsc-probes
  4. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/atlantic-editor-details-moment-realized-included-yemen-group/story?id=120117135
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYERgL9q-QI