Yemen attack: US top spy accepts 'leak' as magazine releases full text

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Wednesday it was a "mistake" for national security officials to discuss sensitive military plans on a group text chain that also included a journalist — a "leak" that has roiled President Donald Trump's national security leadership.

- Agencies

WASHINGTON:

US magazine the Atlantic on Wednesday published the full exchange of leaked messages between officials laying out plans for an attack on Yemen, as the White House fought fiercely to defend itself over the slip-up.

Speaking before the House Intelligence Committee, Gabbard said the conversation included "candid and sensitive" information about military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. But as she told senators during testimony on Tuesday, she said the texts did not contain any classified information.

"It was a mistake that a reporter was inadvertently added," Gabbard said.

Wednesday's hearing was called to discuss an updated report on national security threats facing the US. Instead, much of the focus was on the text chain, which included Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance and other top officials. Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was also added, and on Wednesday his publication released more details from the chats, showing the level of detail they offered about the strikes.

Democrats have demanded an investigation into the sloppy communication, saying it may have exposed sensitive military information that could have jeopardized the mission or put US service members at risk.