On October 4, 2025, a senior White House official inadvertently revealed plans to send the elite 82nd Airborne Division to Portland, Oregon. The leak occurred when Anthony Salisbury, a top deputy to Stephen Miller, was observed discussing the deployment via Signal messages in a public place. The conversation involved Patrick Weaver, a senior adviser to the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and other high-ranking officials.
Key Details
- The plan involved deploying the 82nd Airborne Division, a top-tier quick reaction force, to Portland, a city frequently criticized by President Trump.
- Patrick Weaver expressed concerns about public backlash and preferred using the National Guard, but noted that explicit approval from President Trump was sought for the army deployment.
- The Minnesota Star Tribune obtained images of the Signal messages, which were sent while Salisbury was in Minnesota.
- As of the article’s publication, the National Guard had not yet been deployed to Portland, despite official statements.
- The incident is part of a series of embarrassing leaks by the Trump administration involving sensitive military information.
Significance
This event highlights the risks of mishandling sensitive information and the potential consequences of negligence at high levels of government. The leak drew public attention to internal discussions about military deployments and raised concerns about operational security and transparency.
Source: The Guardian, October 4, 2025