Key players in Signal chat scandal

In an extraordinary national security breach, U.S. secret plans to strike Houthi rebels in Yemen were shared by senior officials in a group chat on a commercial messaging app that included a journalist


Pete Hegseth Defence secretary
Gave assurances in chat about “100% OPSEC – operations security”

Michael Waltz
National Security adviser
Says: “I take full responsibility. I built the group”

Stephen Miller
Homeland Security Adviser
Told group President had given “green light” for Yemen strike

Steve Witkoff
President Trump’s Middle East and Ukraine negotiator
In Moscow when added to chat

JD Vance
Vice-President
Appeared to disagree with President Trump in chat, suggesting delaying strikes by one month

John Ratcliffe
CIA Director
Denies that classified information was shared in chat

Marco Rubio
Secretary of State: Shared congratulatory messages after strikes

Susie Wiles
White House Chief of Staff: Texted “Kudos to all” after strikes Jeffrey Goldberg

TIMELINE (according to The Atlantic)

Mar 11
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief at The Atlantic, receives connection request on Signal app from user identified as Michael Waltz

Mar 13
Goldberg receives text notice that he will be included in Signal chat group called “Houthi PC small group”

Mar 14
Group begins policy discussions on how to proceed

Mar 15
11:44: Hegseth shares information about weapons, targets and timing of Yemen attack. Post says first explosions will begin at 13:45

13:55: Goldberg sees news of strikes in media. Checks chat and finds congratulatory notes from members starting at 13:48.
He realises chat is legitimate when strikes hit at time Hegseth indicated they would

Signal gives users option to set messages to disappear after specified period, which could potentially violate record-keeping laws

Sources: The Atlantic, Reuters, BBC, AP
Pictures: Getty Images, Newscom
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