The Atlantic magazine has published messages from a Signal group chat involving top United States military and intelligence officials regarding strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
The new revelations came amid mounting criticism from Trump administration officials, who previously downplayed the significance of the initial report.
The messages, made public on Wednesday morning, showed that sensitive and classified information about military actions in Yemen was shared in the chat, contradicting claims from senior Trump officials that war plans were never discussed.
Sources told reporters that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth disclosed details that were classified at the time.
The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, along with reporter Shane Harris, defended the decision to release the additional messages, stating that, “There is a clear public interest in disclosing the sort of information that Trump advisers included in nonsecure communications channels, especially because senior administration figures are attempting to downplay the significance of the messages that were shared.”
The initial report drew sharp criticism from Trump administration officials, who claimed that the messages did not contain classified information.
However, the newly released texts challenge those assertions and have sparked demands for accountability from top Democratic lawmakers.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, joined by several senior Democratic senators, sent a letter Wednesday to President Donald Trump and other senior officials, demanding answers regarding the use of the Signal chat to discuss sensitive national security matters.
“We write to you with extreme alarm about the astonishingly poor judgment shown by your Cabinet and national security advisors,” the senators wrote.
“You have long advocated for accountability and transparency in the government, particularly as it relates to the handling of classified information, national security, and the safety of American servicemembers. As such, it is imperative that you address this breach with the seriousness and diligence that it demands.”
The letter also urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to conduct a “thorough and impartial investigation” into the matter, citing the potential violation of the Espionage Act or other laws regarding the disclosure of classified information.
The letter was co-signed by Senators Dick Durbin, Jack Reed, Jeanne Shaheen, Mark Warner, Chris Coons, and Gary Peters; all ranking members on key committees related to national security and defense. Copies were also sent to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
