Republican Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval became the latest state official to oppose President Trump’s plan to send thousands of National Guard troops to the border.
In an email statement to the Associated Press through his spokeswoman, Mary-Sara Kinner, the Nevada governor stated that border security would not be “an appropriate use” for Nevada’s National Guard.
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen tweeter thanks to the “southwest border governors” for the “productive conversation” on President Trump’s deployment.
Just concluded a productive conversation with the southwest border governors on the President’s deployment of @USNationalGuard to the southwest border. Thank you all for taking the time to talk w @DHSgov on this vital issue.
— Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) April 5, 2018
Nelson also released a joint statement with Defense Secretary Mattis stating that their departments would “continue to work with the governors to deploy the necessary resources until our borders are secure.”
Oregon Democratic Governor Kate Brown has already rejected Trump’s call for National Guard troops, deriding it as a “plan to militarize our border.”
If @realDonaldTrump asks me to deploy Oregon Guard troops to the Mexico border, I’ll say no. As Commander of Oregon’s Guard, I’m deeply troubled by Trump’s plan to militarize our border.
— Kate Brown (@KateBrownForOR) April 4, 2018