On Tuesday, The Atlantic published the full transcript of the private Signal messages at the center of what has become known as “Signalgate.” The release follows days of speculation, leaked excerpts, and mounting public pressure for transparency regarding the conversations among a group of political operatives, journalists, and government officials.

The transcript provides the most comprehensive look to date at the internal dialogue that fueled one of the most closely watched political controversies in recent memory. Spanning several months, the messages reveal candid discussions about media strategy, policymaking, and interpersonal dynamics among key figures in Washington. While some exchanges appear innocuous, others raise serious questions about ethical boundaries, professional conduct, and the informal networks that influence public discourse. The release is expected to intensify scrutiny of those involved and may carry broader implications for norms around privacy, accountability, and power within political and media institutions.

The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffery Goldberg has said in interviews that the publication initially withheld details of the strike plans, saying the information was sensitive and could impact the lives of military personnel. It’s presumed that Goldberg’s had a change of heart and moved to publish the transcripts after Trump officials said the chat messages were not classified, have repeatedly called the breach “a mistake”, and have attempted to downplay the severity of the incident.

In The Atlantic’s article, text of the full chat is included, along with context explaining that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided specific details of the timing of the launches from aircraft carriers of the U.S. military jets that were to hit Houthi targets. Timing details of this nature are usually staunchly safeguarded as leaks could cause dangerous counterattacks by the opposition. 

“On Monday, shortly after we published a story about a massive Trump-administration security breach, a reporter asked the secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, why he had shared plans about a forthcoming attack on Yemen on the Signal messaging app,” Goldberg wrote in The Atlantic article. Hegseth answered, according to the article, “Nobody was texting war plans. And that’s all I have to say about that.”

On Wednesday, The House Intelligence Committee questioned Mr. Ratcliffe and Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence. 

Vice President J.D. Vance was also named to be in the Signal chat, sending a message stating “I will say a prayer for victory,” following the airstrike detail messages.