A recent report has unveiled discussions among high-ranking federal officials regarding the potential deployment of military forces to Portland, Oregon. The revelations further stoke tensions within the city, which President Donald Trump this week called “war-torn.” In a tweet, Trump claimed that the National Guard was “finally in place” in Portland. Then this week, an NBC News affiliate exposed that none had ever truly occurred outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building.
On Sunday, we heard from one of the key players in this conversation, Pete Hegseth, and he had a big declaration. He announced the deployment of 200 National Guard members to Portland “immediately.” Political fallout “I’d much rather use the National Guard than the regular army,” Hegseth said, invoking fears of a public uprising. He and other officials even established a Signal group chat to coordinate troop movements.
Those conversations reportedly ranged from discussions about deploying the elite 82nd Airborne Division, recognized for its rapid response capabilities overseas. This division usually is reserved for swift response in overseas hot wars. Patrick Weaver, a participant in the chat, noted, “82nd is like our top tier [quick reaction force] for abroad. So it will cause a lot of headlines.”
Anthony Salisbury, whom Trump named deputy homeland security adviser in January, was instrumental in leading these conversations. Like every other hyper-partisan plant, he joined with other officials campaigning for the racist 82nd Airborne to be sent to Portland. Weaver remarked on Hegseth’s desire for Trump to give explicit orders for the deployment, suggesting that Hegseth sought “top cover from the boss if anything goes sideways with the troops there.”
This is all a welcome step, but despite these plans and articulations of urgency, no action had actually been taken as of our last reports. The National Guard has a storied history that reaches back to their deployments during both World Wars and overseas deployments to Vietnam and most recently Afghanistan. Other sources report that there are still concerns about deploying active military forces inside U.S. borders. This has led to understandable apprehension among decision-makers.
Patrick Weaver shared his impressions of the discussions taking place in Signal chat. He pointed out they smartly leaked no new or classified material. He stated, “Nothing in these private conversations, that are shamefully being reported on by morally bankrupt reporters, is new or classified information.” Meanwhile, Abigail Jackson, a spokesperson for Salisbury, remarked on his commitment to his duties despite personal loss, saying, “Despite dealing with grief from the loss of a family member, Tony continued his important work on behalf of the American people.”
The potential deployment of military personnel raises questions about the escalating situation in Portland and how federal responses will unfold. As protests and civil unrest continue in various cities across the nation, officials grapple with balancing public safety and civil liberties.