Wisconsin governor withdraws National Guard from US-Mexico border: ‘There’s no justification’

Making the announcement in a tweet this Monday afternoon, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) said that he’s withdrawing National Guard troops from the Southern border, saying there’s “no justification” for the deployment.

“There is simply not ample evidence to support the president’s contention of a national security crisis at our southwestern border,” Evers tweeted. “Therefore, there is no justification for the ongoing presence of Wisconsin National Guard personnel at the border.”

The announcement makes Evers the third governor to publicly rebuke President Trump‘s claims that there’s a “national emergency” at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In an additional comment, Evers said that he “cannot support keeping our brave service men and women away from their families without a clear need or purpose that would actively benefit the people of Wisconsin or our nation.”

He added that border security is “the responsibility of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.”

In June, former governor Scott Walker deployed two dozen Wisconsin National Guard soldiers and airmen to the Southern border, but Evers announcement rescinds that order.

Evers’ withdrawal comes in the wake of harsh comments from U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), who is also a pilot in the 115th Air National Guard unit based in Madison, Wisconsin.

“[Governor Evers], your guardsmen saved many lives and protected our country on this mission,” Kinzinger tweeted Monday morning. “Did you go visit them on the border to see for yourself? Or did you make your decision based solely on politics?”

The rejection ofTrump’s declaration of a national emergency over the alleged “crisis” at the border is a growing bipartisan theme.

From POLITICO:

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Monday night said he would join Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, along with 47 Senate Democrats to block Trump’s attempts to secure billions for his border wall after lawmakers effectively stiffed him. Now just one more GOP senator’s support for a resolution to block Trump’s bid would send the measure to Trump’s desk and force a veto.

Featured image via Flickr

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.