The Atlantic’s editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, and staff writer Shane Harris published more details from a Signal chat between President Donald Trump’s top advisers that included sensitive details about a military strike in Yemen. In screenshots published by The Atlantic, the defense secretary messaged information about strike targets and times of attack. Top Trump officials have denied both to reporters and in congressional hearings that the information in the chat was classified. Claudine Ebeid talks to Shane Harris, who covers national security, about how he would characterize the messages and what kind of reverberations to expect from this breach. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What sensitive information was shared in the Signal chat?
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You know, Shane, I think I've received more text messages and I should say messages in Signal about this story than anything in a very long time.
Do people want to make a Houthi PC small group chat room too?
Oh man, let me tell you, all my groups have been renamed this week. But I can't imagine what kind of responses you're getting. What are you hearing from people in the intelligence community?
I think people, what I'm hearing is a mix of people being appalled, outraged. A lot of, if I had done this, I'd be fired. If I had done this, I would be investigated and indicted. There's a real sense of anger, I think, at what people see as the hypocrisy of these officials.
And sort of having a fine for me and not for thee attitude when it comes to what is ultimately just a really reckless use of technology, I guess. Really don't think there's any way around that.
And I think a real sense too among people, including people who don't work in the government who I've talked to, that a real feeling that nothing will happen as a result of this and that no one will be held accountable and that that's a real shame.
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