Podcast Summary: Letters from an American
Episode: March 24, 2025
Host/Author: Heather Cox Richardson
Release Date: March 25, 2025

Introduction

In the March 24, 2025 episode of Letters from an American, historian Heather Cox Richardson delves into a startling revelation reported by Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic. The episode examines a significant breach of national security protocols within the Trump administration, highlighting the use of an unapproved encrypted app, Signal, for coordinating a military attack on the Houthi forces in Yemen.

Goldberg’s Revelatory Report

Timestamp [00:00]
Heather Cox Richardson introduces Goldberg's investigative report, which uncovers that senior Trump administration officials planned a March 15 attack on the Houthis using Signal—a messaging app not sanctioned for national security communications.

Goldberg revealed that using Signal circumvented government systems, likely an attempt to obscure their conversations. Notably, Signal's feature of message self-destruction (erasing messages after a week or four weeks) conflicts with federal laws requiring the archiving of government communications.

Notable Quote:
Goldberg states, "The decision to steer around government systems was possibly an attempt to hide conversations" ([00:00]).

Implications of Using Signal for National Security

The use of Signal in this context represents a severe violation of the Espionage Act, which mandates strict handling and archiving of national defense information. Officials are required to discuss sensitive military activities within secured environments, such as Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) or using approved government communication tools.

Goldberg’s inclusion in the Signal chat was inadvertent, as he received a connection request from someone purporting to be Michael Waltz, Trump’s National Security Adviser. Initially believing it might be a disinformation attempt, Goldberg realized the gravity of the situation when operational details about the impending attack were shared.

Notable Quote:
Goldberg reflects, "I have never been invited to a White House Principals Committee meeting... over a commercial messaging app" ([02:30]).

Details of the Security Breach

The chat included high-ranking officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and others. The conversation detailed operational aspects of the planned strike, including targets, weapons, and attack sequencing, accompanied by supportive emojis.

Notable Quote:
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, emphasized, "We are currently clean on opsec" ([09:45]).

Reactions and Responses

The revelation triggered widespread condemnation across the political spectrum and among security experts:

• Trump’s Response:
  Trump dismissed the report, stating, "I know nothing about it. You're saying that they had what? There is nothing the administration could say to make the situation better" ([15:35]).
  Commentator Tom Nichols highlighted the absence of immediate action from the Chief of Staff, contrasting it with standard protocol in other administrations.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth:
  Hegseth aggressively denied the allegations, calling Goldberg "a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist" and insisted, "nobody was texting war plans" ([18:20]).

• Political Commentary:
  Senator Jon Ossoff labeled the administration's actions as "reckless" and "dangerous" ([22:10]).
  Foreign policy scholar Timothy Snyder criticized the officials for "inhabiting [the state apparatus] like a crack house" ([23:50]).

• Legislative Concerns:
  Senator Adam Schiff demanded immediate answers, questioning, "Where else are war plans being shared with such abject disregard for our national security?" ([25:15]).
  Republican Senator Don Bacon condemned the use of unsecured networks, emphasizing the risk of adversaries like Russia and China intercepting communications ([27:40]).

• Public and Expert Opinion:
  Former CIA officer Matt Castelli labeled the breach as "criminally negligent," while others like Senator Jack Reed and former Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed the sentiment that such lapses endanger national security ([29:05]; [30:50]).

Historical Context and Parallels

The episode draws parallels to Hillary Clinton's misuse of private email servers, noting how Trump continues to employ similar tactics against opponents. Clips compiled by Sarah Longwell and J.V. from The Bulwark showcased officials urging accountability for mishandling information, reminiscent of calls for Clinton's prosecution.

Notable Quote:
Clinton responded to the revelations with skepticism, posting, "You have got to be kidding me" accompanied by an eyes emoji ([33:30]).

Analysis and Conclusions

Richardson underscores the alarming nature of the administration's disregard for established security protocols. The use of commercial, unapproved communication tools for sensitive national defense operations not only violates federal laws but also exposes critical information to potential adversaries. The collective response from officials and experts highlights a profound breach of trust and operational security within the highest levels of government.

The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining stringent security measures and adhering to legal standards to safeguard national interests.

Production Credits

Letters from an American was written and narrated by Heather Cox Richardson. The episode was produced by Soundscape Productions in Dedham, MA, with music composed by Michael Moss, RA.

For more insights into the history behind today's politics, visit heathercoxrichardson.substack.com.