President Trump signed an executive order Monday night authorizing the U.S. military to plan the deployment of troops to the southern border.
of order The U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), one of 11 combatant command centers, is tasked with repelling “forms of aggression, including illegal mass migration, drug trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking, and other criminal activities” on the southern border. give the authority to do so.
“Threats to our nation's sovereignty continue today, and it is imperative that the military continues to resolutely participate in the defense of our nation's territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Trump's executive order reads.
“The United States military has a long-established role in protecting our borders from threats of invasion, illegal entry of foreign nationals into the United States, and other transnational criminal activity that violates the law and threatens the nation. Peace, harmony and tranquility for the nation.”
In a statement, the Pentagon said it was “committed to carrying out the orders of our nation's commander-in-chief, and under his guidance we are doing so immediately.”
President Trump has asked Northcom to revise its mission plan within 10 days and requires the Secretary of Defense to receive Level 3 planning requirements, a detailed plan, within 30 days. He ordered a steady plan to maintain border operations.
The executive order does not specify what type of military, active duty, reserve or National Guard, would be sent. Trump had promised to send active-duty troops during his campaign.
President Trump sent active-duty troops to the border during his first term, and the Biden administration did the same, but both times were to respond to specific cases.
President Trump plans to implement several executive orders related to immigration and border security on his first day in office, saying there is a national emergency at the southern border, which was a central part of his campaign message.
