Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-New Mexico) on Tuesday ordered the withdrawal of most New Mexico National Guard troops assigned to the state’s southern border.
Lujan Grisham said a portion of the troops would remain in the southwest part of the state to provide humanitarian aid assistance for migrants and asylum-seekers who have arrived in recent weeks.
“I reject the federal contention that there exists an overwhelming national security crisis at the southern border, along which are some of the safest communities in the country,” said Lujan Grisham in a statement Tuesday. “However, I recognize and appreciate the legitimate concerns of residents and officials in southwestern New Mexico, particularly Hidalgo County, who have asked for our assistance, as migrants and asylum-seekers continue to appear at their doorstep.”
The governor is not only withdrawing a majority of troops from the border, she is asking Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Wisconsin to pull out their troops who were ordered to the border by President Trump in October.
A total of 118 troops were deployed, mostly in a support role to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a division of the Department of Homeland Security.
Lujan Grisham made the announcement just a couple of hours before Trump was ready to deliver his State of the Union address, when border security is expected to be a major issue.
“Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is strategic. It wouldn’t surprise me that she timed this release to send a direct message to the president,” a senior Democratic aide said.
Lujan Grisham’s office said state National Guard leadership would assess whether the military presence is needed in southwestern New Mexico, particularly Hidalgo County.
What do you think about the governor’s actions? What do you think Trump is going to do in response? We look forward to seeing your comments at the end of this article.
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