Overview

• The accidental inclusion of journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat exposed sensitive discussions among top Trump officials about U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.
• National Security Advisor Michael Waltz used a trio of emojis—fist, American flag, and fire—to react to the strikes, which has since gone viral and become a meme.
• The leaked chat revealed secret plans for March 15 airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi sites, raising concerns about operational security and the use of informal platforms for sensitive matters.
• Waltz faces bipartisan criticism and calls for resignation, with some lawmakers mocking the emoji usage during congressional proceedings.
• The incident has reignited debates about the appropriateness and security of mobile messaging apps like Signal for high-stakes government communications.