According to an AP News report, the Pentagon will begin deploying as many as 1,500 active-duty troops to help secure the southern border — an executive action signed by Trump on his first day.
From AP News:
Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses was expected to sign the deployment orders on Wednesday, but it wasn’t yet clear which troops or units will go, and the total could fluctuate. It remains to be seen if they will end up doing law enforcement, which would put American troops in a dramatic new role, not done in recent history.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not yet been made.
The active duty forces would join the roughly 2,500 U.S. National Guard and Reserve forces already there. There are currently no active duty troops working along the border.
The troops are expected to be used to support border patrol agents, with logistics, transportation and construction of barriers. They have done similar duties in the past, when both Trump and former President Joe Biden sent active duty troops to the border.
Troops are prohibited by law from doing law enforcement duties, but that may change. Trump has directed through executive order that the incoming secretary of defense and incoming homeland security chief report back within 90 days if they think an 1807 law called the Insurrection Act should be invoked. That would allow those troops to be used in civilian law enforcement on U.S. soil.
BREAKING: “Officials tell Fox News the Pentagon will be sending 1,500 U.S. active-duty troops to the southern border by the end of the month.” They will join the 2,500 U.S. service members already stationed at the border. pic.twitter.com/4tP8zDkEX0
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) January 22, 2025
More over at AP News:
BREAKING: The Pentagon is sending up to 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border after President Trump's order, officials say. https://t.co/IhIHRnCSPJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 22, 2025