In March 2025, a significant security lapse within the Trump administration, now referred to as "Signalgate," exposed sensitive military operations to unintended recipients, raising serious concerns about the handling of classified information at the highest levels of government.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz inadvertently added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a Signal group chat intended for senior U.S. officials. This group included Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The chat was used to discuss operational details of military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, including attack timing, targets, and weaponry. Goldberg observed these discussions and later published a partially redacted transcript in The Atlantic on March 24, 2025.

The incident has sparked bipartisan calls for investigations into the administration's communication practices and the safeguarding of classified information. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Waltz, stating he is "totally and completely unqualified" for his position. Jeffries also called for Defense Secretary Hegseth's resignation, emphasizing the need for accountability within the national security team.

The White House acknowledged the authenticity of the messages but did not provide an explanation for discussing national defense information outside of approved classified government systems. President Trump expressed disdain for Goldberg but stood by his team, with no plans to dismiss Waltz.

Further scrutiny revealed that Waltz and other National Security Council members used personal Gmail accounts for official business. The Washington Post reported that a senior Waltz aide used Gmail for "highly technical conversations" involving "sensitive military positions and powerful weapons systems relating to an ongoing conflict." Waltz himself received emails and calendar invites on his personal email, though the White House stated he did not send classified information through that channel.

The unauthorized disclosure of classified information could potentially violate the Espionage Act, which criminalizes the mishandling of national defense information. Additionally, the breach may impact trust between the U.S. and its allies, as sensitive military plans were exposed.

While there have been previous instances of mishandling classified information, the direct inclusion of a journalist in high-level military planning discussions is unprecedented. This incident underscores concerns about the qualifications and operational security practices of the current administration.

The "Signalgate" incident highlights significant lapses in operational security within the highest levels of the U.S. government. It raises critical questions about the handling of classified information, the qualifications of key officials, and the potential impact on international relations. As investigations proceed, the administration's response and any subsequent policy changes will be closely scrutinized.