Former Obama DOJ officer urges FBI review of war plans chat leak

 March 24, 2025

A startling revelation about Trump administration officials inadvertently sharing classified military plans with a journalist has sparked calls for federal investigation.

According to The Hill, former Obama Justice Department official Matthew Miller has urged for an FBI probe after The Atlantic's editor-in-chief was accidentally included in a high-level Signal group chat discussing detailed plans for strikes in Yemen.

The controversial incident came to light when Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, discovered his unexpected inclusion in the sensitive communications. National security adviser Mike Waltz had inadvertently added Goldberg to the group, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth freely shared classified information about weapons, targets, and timing of military operations. The chat group also included Vice President Vance and other senior administration officials who were discussing plans to strike Houthi militant targets.

High-level Security Breach Draws Clinton Email Comparisons

The National Security Council has acknowledged the authenticity of the message thread, attributing the incident to an "inadvertent number" being added to the group. This admission has intensified scrutiny of the administration's handling of classified information, particularly given President Trump's previous criticism of Hillary Clinton's private email server usage.

Democratic lawmakers have seized upon the incident to highlight potential security risks within the current administration. The revelation has particularly energized Trump critics who point out the apparent double standard in handling classified information.

Senator Chris Coons expressed his concerns about the security breach. The Delaware Democrat stated:

Every single one of the government officials on this text chain have now committed a crime – even if accidentally – that would normally involve a jail sentence. We can't trust anyone in this dangerous administration to keep Americans safe.

Former DOJ Official Demands Immediate Action

Matthew Miller, who served as the Office of Public Affairs director during the Obama administration and later as State Department spokesperson under Biden, emphasized the gravity of the situation. His call for an FBI investigation reflects growing concern about the handling of sensitive military information.

The unprecedented nature of the breach has raised questions about the administration's communication protocols and security measures. Security experts are particularly concerned about the use of Signal, an encrypted messaging app, for sharing classified military operations details.

The incident has also reignited debates about digital security practices within government communications. Critics argue that this breach could have far-reaching implications for national security and military operations.

National Security Protocol Questions Mount

The exposure of classified military plans has prompted discussions about existing safeguards for sensitive information sharing. Security analysts are examining how such a significant breach could occur within top-level government communications.

Military experts have expressed concern about potential compromises to operational security. The detailed nature of the shared information, including specific weapons and targeting data, has alarmed defense specialists. These revelations come at a particularly sensitive time, as the administration grapples with ongoing tensions in Yemen and the broader Middle East region.

Critical moments ahead for administration response

The incident involving The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg's accidental inclusion in a classified Signal group chat has exposed significant vulnerabilities in the Trump administration's handling of sensitive military information. The situation emerged when national security adviser Mike Waltz inadvertently added Goldberg to discussions about Yemen military operations, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared classified details about weapons and targets.

The administration now faces mounting pressure to address this security breach, with former Obama DOJ official Matthew Miller leading calls for an FBI investigation. The National Security Council's acknowledgment of the incident has sparked debates about communication protocols and the potential impact on national security operations.

About Victor Winston

Victor is a freelance writer and researcher who focuses on national politics, geopolitics, and economics.
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