(TargetLiberty.org) – The National Guard’s outgoing chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson in a recent testimony before a Senate subcommittee warned that deploying U.S. troops to the U.S.-Mexico border would only harm military readiness without providing any training value.
During his testimony on Tuesday before a Senate Appropriations budget defense subcommittee, Hokanson argued that there are around 2,500 National Guardsmen currently serving under the U.S. Northern Command at the southern border. He pointed out that as he has previously stated this action is not providing any additional military training value. He added that the Department of Homeland Security was controlling this law enforcement mission.
Under both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, the National Guard troops have received authorization to assist in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection efforts to secure the U.S. border. This latest testimony comes after the recent executive actions taken by Biden in an attempt to curb illegal migration along the Southern border.
Both sides have slammed Biden over his recent executive actions. Committee Chair Jon Tester (D-Mont.), while questioning Hokanson asked about the National Guard troops currently located in the U.S. southern border. He added that the situation had worsened due to the failed border policies of the administration.
Hokanson argued that the National Guard troops stationed at the border were not taking part in any training that applied to their skills. He added that he knows the troops are providing support, but for their guardsmen being deployed at the border is the same as being deployed abroad as it still means they are away from their families.
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