South Dakota Governor Noem Deploys National Guard to Assist Texas in Border Security Mission

Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced on Tuesday that she will deploy National Guard troops to Texas to assist Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in addressing the “war zone” at the southern border.

In a news release, Noem stated, “The border is a war zone, so we’re sending soldiers. These soldiers’ primary mission will be construction of a wall to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, drug cartels, and human trafficking into the United States of America.”

Noem, who is considered a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump, revealed that 60 National Guard troops will be deployed to Texas over a three-month period. Further details were not provided due to “security considerations.”

Last month, Noem and the South Dakota Legislature held a joint session in response to Texas’ border security efforts amid challenges from the Biden administration. The Supreme Court’s ruling allowed Border Patrol agents to remove razor wire installed by Texas National Guard troops, and some Democrats have urged Biden to federalize Texas’ National Guard, which has been setting up razor wire barriers.

“Our troops have been hindered by federal restrictions when they’ve been deployed to the border in the past,” Noem addressed her Legislature during the joint session. “I don’t want South Dakota soldiers to facilitate an invasion — I want them to stand up and stop it. So, we are talking to Texas about what rules of engagement can look like to make sure that happens.”

This is the fifth time in two-and-a-half years that Noem is sending National Guardsmen to assist Texas. The governors of other Republican-led states, such as Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, have also sent National Guard troops to Texas, and Idaho has sent State Police troopers to the southern border twice. Additionally, Republican Louisiana Gov. Greg Landry announced his plan to deploy National Guard troops to Texas on Thursday.

In January, there were 176,205 encounters at the southern border, the lowest total for a month since February 2023, according to Customs and Border Protection data. This followed a record of 301,983 encounters in December, making it the highest for any month in U.S. history. The U.S. is on track for a record of over 2.8 million encounters for the 2024 fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30.