The Atlantic magazine on Wednesday published even more “war plan” texts laying out minute-by-minute operational details and exact weapons to be used in the Yemen strikes — after the Trump administration shot down claims classified details were ever shared in the bombshell Signal chat snafu.
The mag’s top editor, Jeffrey Goldberg, published additional snippets of the text exchange that he says revealed the precise operational details of the March 15 bombing of the Houthi terror group in Yemen.
“If this text had been received by someone hostile to American interests — or someone merely indiscreet, and with access to social media — the Houthis would have had time to prepare for what was meant to be a surprise attack on their strongholds,” the editor wrote, referring to one message fired off by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“The consequences for American pilots could have been catastrophic.”
It comes after Goldberg had revealed Monday that he was inadvertently added to a Signal message chain on March 11 in which top Trump administration officials — including Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance — discussed bombing the Houthi terror group in Yemen.
Hegseth’s first text – titled “TEAM UPDATE” – featured timestamps of the strikes as they were unfolded.
“TIME NOW (1144et): Weather is FAVORABLE. Just CONFIRMED w/CENTCOM we are a GO for mission launch,” the message began.
“1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package),” Hegseth continued, before adding: “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).”
Goldberg noted the first text was fired off 31 minutes before the first US warplanes launched and the subsequent strikes unfolded.
Trump and other top administration officials have so far downplayed the text saga, insisting that no sensitive national security materials were ever disclosed.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe — who were among the 18 officials included in the Signal messaging channel – were adamant they didn’t divulge classified information when Democrats grilled them during a Tuesday hearing.
During the hearing, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) quizzed the pair over who determined that the material on the Signal chat wasn’t classified – but no one gave a clear answer.
Despite the new texts, both Gabbard and Ratcliffe denied any knowledge that the messages included details about weapons packages, targets or timing.
