There will be 4,000 troops deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border starting Friday night. A memo was signed by Defense Secretary James "Mad Dog" Mattis. The troops are being sent to tighten up security until the wall is built.
Per The Hill:
The memo authorizes the use of Title 32 and Defense Department dollars for up to 4,000 National Guard personnel to support the Department of Homeland Security’s “southern border security mission while under the command and control of their respective governors through September 30, 2018.”
It also states that troops "will not perform law enforcement activities or interact with migrants or other persons detained by DHS personnel” unless Mattis approves it.
Troops will be armed only in “circumstances that might require self-defense," according to the memo.
National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Joseph Lengyel wrote on Twitter that up to 500 guardsmen are now moving to the border along with vehicles, helicopters and other equipment.
“Always Ready, Always There! Moving up to 500 #NationalGuard troops immediately on the SW border security mission. Vehicles, equipment & helicopters on the way tonight,” Lengyel wrote.
The memo does not say how much the mission will cost.
This move suggests that the border wall should be coming soon. Trump directed Mattis to direct DHS to help secure the southern border to address a "drastic surge of illegal activity on the southern border.”
Joint statement from @SecNielsen and @DeptofDefense Secretary Mattis ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/VfrqivV27e
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 7, 2018
There were no specifics on how the mission will be paid for. All Mattis revealed is that the Pentagon is "looking at how we can best provide the support” to DHS.
"We'll figure it out. It will be consistent with law and the spirit of Congress. No problem."
It's very important to shore up the U.S.-Mexico border. This appears to be a necessary step to take until the wall is built. President Trump needs to come through with his promise and build the wall.
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