White House Official Accidentally Unveils Secret Deployment of Elite Army Unit to Portland
White House Official Accidentally Reveals Military Plans for Portland Deployment
In an unexpected turn of events, a senior White House official inadvertently disclosed plans to dispatch an elite army unit to Portland. The incident marks the latest in a series of intelligence leaks by the Trump administration. Anthony Salisbury, a top aide to key policy adviser Stephen Miller, was seen using the Signal app in a public space to discuss deploying the 82nd Airborne Division to Portland. This democratic stronghold in Oregon has been a frequent target of President Trump’s criticism, labeling it a “war-ravaged” area.
Signal Messages Unveil Sensitive Discussions
The Minnesota Star Tribune obtained images revealing Salisbury’s Signal messages, sent openly in Minnesota. Salisbury communicated with Patrick Weaver, a senior advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, among other federal officials. According to the messages, Weaver indicated that Hegseth sought explicit orders from President Trump to send troops to Portland, highlighting potential controversies involved with deploying the army.
National Guard Versus 82nd Airborne Division Deployment
Weaver noted that Hegseth preferred deploying the National Guard due to potential public backlash against using the 82nd Airborne Division, known for its expertise in parachute assaults and forcible entry operations. “82nd is like our top-tier quick reaction force for abroad. It will cause a lot of headlines,” he remarked.
Conflicting Reports on National Guard Deployment
Over the weekend, Hegseth announced the immediate deployment of 200 National Guard members. However, by Wednesday, while President Trump asserted the guard’s presence in Portland, NBC News affiliate KGW reported their absence. The discrepancy adds further complexity to the unfolding situation.
Salisbury’s Role and White House Response
Appointed as deputy homeland security adviser by Trump in January, Salisbury was praised for bringing extensive law enforcement experience to the White House. Amid recent events, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson confirmed Salisbury attended a funeral in Minnesota and continued his duties despite personal grief, dismissing the leak as sensational reporting of private conversations.
A Pattern of Embarrassing Leaks
This incident follows previous leaks involving high-ranking Trump administration officials. In March, a Signal chat discussing military strategies in Yemen was accidentally shared with the editor in chief of the Atlantic. Moreover, Hegseth reportedly disclosed detailed military operations via a Signal group chat to close acquaintances.
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