Radio Atlantic: The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Our Editor Their War Plans

Episode Overview In this gripping episode of Radio Atlantic, hosted by Hanna Rosen and produced by The Atlantic, the team delves into a startling incident where the Trump Administration inadvertently included the magazine's Editor in Chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, in a sensitive military planning text message thread. Joined by staff writer Shane Harris, who specializes in national security, the discussion unpacks the implications of this breach, exploring the intersection of journalism, national security, and digital communication vulnerabilities.

1. The Unintended Inclusion

00:59 - Hanna Rosen Introduces the Incident Hanna Rosen sets the stage by recounting how on March 15, 2025, the U.S. initiated a bombing campaign against Houthi groups in Yemen. Hours before the attack, Jeffrey Goldberg found himself unexpectedly added to a Signal group chat intended for high-level national security officials.

Transcript Highlight:

"On March 15, the US began a bombing campaign against Houthi groups in Yemen. A couple of hours before that, our editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg sat in his car in a supermarket parking lot waiting to see if and when the attack would start."
— Hanna Rosen [00:59]

2. Navigating a Suspicious Conversation

02:31 - Jeffrey Goldberg Responds to the Message Goldberg describes receiving a Signal message from "Michael Waltz," President Trump's National Security Advisor. Initially uncertain about the message's legitimacy, he realized its significance as the conversation progressed.

Notable Quote:

"I was added to this group and it's a misdirected email or text chain that I shouldn't have been on. But the larger point... why is this conversation happening out in the open?"
— Jeffrey Goldberg [05:26]

3. Authenticity vs. Spoofing

07:10 - Goldberg Provides Examples of Authenticity Goldberg highlights specific elements that indicated the conversation's authenticity, such as direct references to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President J.D. Vance's unusual dissent regarding the administration's decisions.

Transcript Highlight:

"Pete Hecseth writing in all caps about how he finds the Europeans pathetic... SM comes in and basically shuts the conversation down."
— Jeffrey Goldberg [07:10]

4. The Role of Digital Communication Tools

12:46 - Shane Harris Analyzes the Use of Signal Harris critiques the use of Signal for transmitting classified information, emphasizing that despite its encryption, the platform is not sanctioned for sensitive governmental communications due to potential vulnerabilities like malware.

Notable Quote:

"Signal's not meant for this kind of detailed planning which occurs, as you know, Mr. Walt said, and the Principals Committee level that is done in the Situation Room or that's done at their various buildings where these people work."
— Shane Harris [14:59]

5. Legal and Regulatory Implications

19:25 - Harris Discusses Potential Legal Violations The conversation touches upon possible breaches of the Espionage Act and other federal regulations concerning the mishandling of national defense information. The accidental inclusion of an unauthorized individual in the communication thread raises questions about accountability and negligence.

Transcript Highlight:

"There are a couple that it might conceivably could violate the Espionage act... and then there's also the Presidential Records act and the Federal Records Act."
— Shane Harris [19:25]

6. Insights into the Trump Administration's Decision-Making

22:42 - Harris Explores Internal Conflicts Harris reveals that the incident exposed underlying disagreements within the administration regarding the Yemen strike, highlighting a lack of cohesion and clarity in policy execution.

Notable Quote:

"There is not agreement in the administration over whether they're doing the right thing with this action... That's very revealing about the policy process in this White House."
— Shane Harris [23:55]

7. Broader Implications for Journalism and National Security

25:49 - Goldberg Reflects on the Experience Goldberg contemplates the broader ramifications of the incident, emphasizing the importance of secure communication channels and the ethical responsibilities of journalists when inadvertently exposed to sensitive information.

Transcript Highlight:

"I'm a little bit heartened that... they actually debate among themselves, they talk about this, they work through these things... I do need some reverb, some reaction to it."
— Jeffrey Goldberg [22:42]

8. Conclusion: Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

27:25 - Hanna Rosen Wraps Up the Discussion Rosen concludes by acknowledging the serious lapse in digital hygiene within the administration and underscores the necessity for robust communication protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.

Transcript Highlight:

"Given that that can happen to the best of us and does happen to all of us all the time... is there any..."
— Hanna Rosen [27:25]

Key Takeaways

• Communication Vulnerabilities: The accidental inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg in a high-level national security discussion underscores significant vulnerabilities in governmental communication practices.

• Legal Ramifications: Mishandling classified information via unsecured platforms like Signal can lead to potential violations of the Espionage Act and other federal regulations.

• Policy Process Transparency: The internal disagreements revealed within the Trump Administration highlight possible flaws in decision-making processes and the execution of foreign policy strategies.

• Ethical Journalism: Journalists must navigate the fine line between reporting sensitive information and maintaining ethical standards, especially when inadvertently exposed to classified discussions.

• Digital Hygiene: This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of secure digital communication protocols, especially within the realms of national security and governmental operations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jeffrey Goldberg [05:26]:
  "I was added to this group and it's a misdirected email or text chain that I shouldn't have been on. But the larger point... why is this conversation happening out in the open?"

• Shane Harris [14:59]:
  "Signal's not meant for this kind of detailed planning which occurs, as you know, Mr. Walt said, and the Principals Committee level that is done in the Situation Room or that's done at their various buildings where these people work."

• Shane Harris [19:25]:
  "There are a couple that it might conceivably could violate the Espionage act... and then there's also the Presidential Records act and the Federal Records Act."

• Shane Harris [23:55]:
  "There is not agreement in the administration over whether they're doing the right thing with this action... That's very revealing about the policy process in this White House."

• Jeffrey Goldberg [22:42]:
  "I'm a little bit heartened that... they actually debate among themselves, they talk about this, they work through these things... I do need some reverb, some reaction to it."

Produced by Kevin Townsend and Edited by Claudina Baid

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