Washington, D.C. — US intelligence officials Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe faced intense questioning before the Senate Intelligence Committee over their involvement in a group chat that reportedly discussed US air strikes in Yemen earlier this month. The controversy erupted after it was revealed that the chat accidentally included a journalist, raising concerns about potential security breaches.

Both Gabbard and Ratcliffe have denied that any classified information was shared in the conversation. They insisted that the discussion remained within the bounds of publicly available knowledge and did not compromise national security. However, their assurances did little to calm the concerns of Democratic lawmakers, who condemned the incident as “careless” and a “huge mistake.” Several committee members demanded an apology, arguing that such lapses in communication could undermine national security and public trust in intelligence operations.

The situation intensified after it emerged that National Security Adviser Michael, who was responsible for adding participants to the chat, mistakenly included Jeff Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. Goldberg’s presence in the conversation raised alarms about potential leaks and the security protocols followed by top intelligence officials.

Former President Donald Trump has stepped in to defend Michael, dismissing the uproar as an overreaction. Trump argued that the incident was being politicized and downplayed any risk posed by the mistaken inclusion of a journalist. His comments have further fueled partisan tensions, with Republicans largely standing by the intelligence officials while Democrats continue to demand accountability.

The incident has reignited broader concerns about how sensitive government communications are handled, particularly in an era where digital conversations play a significant role in intelligence and military operations. As the Senate Intelligence Committee continues its inquiry, questions remain about whether additional security measures will be implemented to prevent similar mishaps in the future.