Key Takeaways:
- A reporter from The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, was mistakenly added to a group chat with Trump officials discussing military plans.
- The mishap occurred due to a mix-up involving Mike Waltz, the national security adviser, and a Signal messaging app.
- The chat was about plans for a military operation against the Houthis.
- The White House used Signal as a temporary messaging solution.
- Waltz wasn’t fired despite the incident, as Signal was authorized for use.
How It Happened
In a surprising turn of events, The Atlantic’s editor, Jeffrey Goldberg, found himself in a high-level group chat with Trump officials. The chat, held on the Signal app, was discussing a military operation against the Houthis. The inclusion of Goldberg was accidental, stemming from a series of misunderstandings and technological glitches.
The Initial Contact
Goldberg had reached out to the Trump campaign regarding an article criticizing the former president’s attitude toward wounded service members. The campaign, aiming to respond, involved Mike Waltz, a national security adviser. Waltz was supposed to contact Goldberg but never made the call. Instead, Goldberg’s number was inadvertently saved in Waltz’s phone under the contact information of Brian Hughes, a Trump spokesperson.
The Accidental Addition
The mix-up came to light when Waltz tried to add Hughes to the Signal chat. Unintentionally, he added Goldberg’s number instead. This resulted in Goldberg joining a sensitive discussion about military operations, highlighting a significant security lapse.
Signal’s Role in the White House
The White House had been using Signal as a temporary solution for real-time messaging across different agencies, despite its security limitations. While Signal offers end-to-end encryption, it isn’t immune to risks like screenshots or message saving, which could compromise sensitive information.
Aftermath and Implications
The incident sparked concerns about the use of third-party apps for sensitive communications. Waltz faced calls for his dismissal but retained his position, as the White House had approved Signal’s use. The episode underscores the potential risks of relying on such platforms for high-stakes discussions.
Goldberg’s Response
Goldberg remained tight-lipped about his relationship with Waltz, merely acknowledging their acquaintance. The internal investigation did not delve into the extent of their communications beyond the accidental chat inclusion.
This event serves as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining security in digital communications, especially when using third-party applications for official business.