Gen “Mad Dog” Mattis, has authorized the deployment of 4,000 troops on the border. That action is in response to President Trump’s order that he provide back up on the border until his wall is built.
They will not be armed unless necessary for defense and they will be prohibited from law enforcement duties and cannot interact with illegal aliens being detained by DHS and the border patrol. So what in the hell are they doing there? Photo ops? Their mission should be to stop the invaders from the Honduras. Let DHS and the Border Patrol process them, but stop them from entering the country.
Hopefully, there will be more clarification on their role before the caravan actually arrives.
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.
Trump earlier this week signed a presidential memorandum directing Mattis to support DHS in securing the southern border to address a “drastic surge of illegal activity on the southern border.”
Troops are already on the way, along with equipment, including trucks and helicopters. Arizona has 150 troops on the way and Texas already has 100 troops there from a previous mission. All 4,000 are expected to be on site by Friday night.