Anthony Salisbury Exposed Texting Military Deployment Plans

In a stunning revelation, Anthony Salisbury, an aide to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, was caught exchanging messages about potentially deploying the 82nd Airborne Division to Portland, Oregon, while in a crowded public space. Texts sent via the app Signal indicated discussions among high-level Trump administration officials, reflecting a disturbing propensity to militarize local law enforcement, which undermines the constitutional limitations on military use domestically.

The messages were detailed in a report from The Minneapolis Star Tribune, showing how Salisbury communicated openly with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other key figures. The urgency for military deployment raises serious legal concerns, as deploying active-duty troops within U.S. cities would almost certainly face legal challenges. Historically, the 82nd Airborne has been a critical combat force, raising profound ethical questions about their potential role within the American populace.

Salisbury’s texts revealed a candid nature, often laced with profanity, displaying a casual approach to military action that suggests a troubling normalization of militaristic rhetoric in the higher echelons of the Trump administration. Hegseth’s advisers made clear that their strategy hinged on obtaining direct approval from President Trump, showcasing a concerning dynamic where military decisions are influenced by political optics rather than security necessities.

Ultimately, the administration opted to send 200 National Guard members instead of the 82nd Airborne, reflecting a more restrained approach amid public scrutiny. However, the deployment of the National Guard is now being challenged legally by the city of Portland and the state of Oregon, illustrating the ongoing tensions between federal executive power and state rights.

In response to the allegations, the White House defended Salisbury’s actions, framing them within the context of personal grief yet downplaying any significance of the discussions. This attempt to redirect criticism comes in the wake of ongoing issues related to transparency and accountability within the Trump administration, where officials consistently operate under questionable ethical guidelines.