Wed Mar 26 13:49:01 UTC 2025: ## US Defence Secretary’s Leaked Texts Reveal Details of Yemen Strike Plan

**Washington, D.C. –** A screenshot of a text message exchange, published by *The Atlantic* on Wednesday, reveals that U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth texted the precise timing and details of a planned U.S. airstrike against a Houthi militant in Yemen on March 15th, 2025. The texts, part of a Signal group chat including President Trump’s top national security advisors and *The Atlantic*’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, detailed the launch times of F-18 fighter jets and MQ-9 drones.

The revelation has sparked outrage and calls for investigation. While the Trump administration claims no classified information was shared, Democrats and former officials strongly disagree, deeming targeting information highly classified. The leaked texts included specific times: “1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package)” and “1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME – also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s).”

Secretary Hegseth has repeatedly denied texting war plans. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz reportedly set up the Signal chat for unclassified coordination, though Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called the inclusion of *The Atlantic*’s editor a mistake. Ms. Gabbard’s comments were partially constrained due to an ongoing lawsuit related to the incident. CIA Director John Ratcliffe testified that teams would receive further information through official channels. Mr. Goldberg, who initially withheld the information, ultimately decided to publish the chat details. The incident has prompted calls for a Justice Department probe into the handling of sensitive information. Mr. Waltz has accepted “full responsibility” while President Trump has downplayed the leak as a minor “glitch”.

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