Fact Check: Trump leaked memo from homeland security about the military

Published August 6, 2025

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VERDICT

Partially True

# Fact-Check: "Trump leaked memo from homeland security about the military" ## What We Know The claim that "Trump leaked a memo from Homeland Securit...

Fact-Check: "Trump leaked memo from homeland security about the military"

What We Know

The claim that "Trump leaked a memo from Homeland Security about the military" is based on several documents and reports regarding the use of military personnel in domestic law enforcement, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement.

A Department of Defense memorandum signed by President Trump outlines the deployment of National Guard units to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and federal property amid violent protests. The memo states that the President has the authority to call into federal service members of the National Guard to assist in these operations.
A leaked memo from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), allegedly written by Phil Hegseth, a senior adviser, discusses the use of military personnel to support the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts. This memo acknowledges the challenges faced during previous deployments and suggests that military involvement may be necessary for years to come.
Reports indicate that Trump had previously deployed approximately 5,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to counter protests against ICE operations, further emphasizing the administration's reliance on military support for immigration enforcement (Yahoo News).

Analysis

The claim involves two distinct aspects: the existence of a memo and its implications regarding military involvement in domestic law enforcement.

Existence of the Memo: The memo from the Department of Defense is an official document that outlines the deployment of National Guard units, which supports the claim that Trump did issue a directive concerning military involvement in domestic issues. This memo is publicly accessible and verifiable through official government channels, lending it high credibility (Department of Defense).
Leaked DHS Memo: The second memo, attributed to Phil Hegseth, discusses the need for military support in immigration enforcement and acknowledges past deployment issues. This memo was reported by multiple outlets, including The Independent and Common Dreams, indicating a consensus among credible news organizations about its content. However, the reliability of the source (a leaked document) can vary, and the interpretation of its implications may be influenced by the political leanings of the reporting outlets.
Potential Bias: While the Department of Defense memo is an official document, the leaked DHS memo's interpretation may be subject to bias depending on the outlet reporting it. For example, more politically charged outlets may frame the military's role in immigration enforcement in a more negative light compared to neutral sources.

Conclusion

The claim that Trump leaked a memo from Homeland Security regarding military involvement is Partially True. There is a verified Department of Defense memo that outlines military deployment for immigration enforcement, which supports the claim. Additionally, the leaked DHS memo discusses the administration's plans for military involvement in immigration enforcement, but its interpretation and implications may vary based on the source. The combination of these documents indicates a significant reliance on military support in domestic law enforcement, particularly in the context of immigration, but the characterization of the memo as a "leak" and its subsequent implications require careful consideration of the sources involved.

Sources

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