On Tuesday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced his intention to deploy additional National Guard soldiers from his state to assist Texas Governor Greg Abbott in addressing illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Georgia Moves in Support of Texas
This move aligns with Abbott’s stance as he confronts the Biden administration on immigration enforcement. The State of Texas has been installing razor wire barriers across its border to keep would-be immigrants from crossing over the border illegally, notably in dangerous geographic regions such as the Rio Grande.
Georgia to Dispatch 15-20 Guard Members
Kemp disclosed plans to dispatch a team of 15 to 20 guard members to establish a forward command post for Texas guard units. Despite the relatively modest scale of this announcement, it followed intense partisan debates in the Georgia Capitol, where Kemp and Republican lawmakers criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of border issues.
Democrats Criticize Acts as Political Theater
Expressing concerns over the Biden administration’s perceived failures, Kemp emphasized the necessity of intervention if federal actions fall short. However, Democrats criticized these actions as political maneuvers, particularly in light of the collapse of a bipartisan border security plan in Congress.
Kemp Joined GOP Governors in Texas to Address Border Challenges
Governor Kemp had previously deployed troops to the border in 2019, and some guard members remain stationed there for various missions, including aerial surveillance. He recently joined Abbott and other Republican governors in Texas to address border challenges.
Montana, Oklahoma, and Tennessee Stand with Texas
In solidarity with Texas, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced his state’s National Guard’s coordination with Texas officials. Similarly, other GOP-led states like Oklahoma and Tennessee have considered resolutions supporting Abbott’s call for additional National Guard assistance.
DeSantis Sent Over 1,000 Personnel Since 2023
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis previously committed to sending hundreds more guard members to the border, with over 1,000 personnel deployed since May. Kemp emphasized the necessity of such actions, echoing sentiments from other Republican governors critical of the Biden administration’s approach.
Kemp Supports Trump’s Border Policies While Distancing from Trump
While maintaining distance from former President Donald Trump, whom he has clashed with previously, Kemp reiterated his support for Trump’s border policies. This sentiment was reflected in resolutions passed by both chambers of Georgia’s Republican-led legislature, condemning Biden’s border management and endorsing Kemp’s actions.
Georgia’s Republican Legislature Condemns Biden Border Management
Republicans framed the resolutions as a statement of partisan differences, characterizing illegal border crossings as criminal activities, including those seeking asylum, and alleging potential involvement in drug trafficking or terrorism.
Georgia Recognizes Sending Guard is Largely Symbolic
Georgia’s legislature resolutions serve as a political message as state lawmakers gear up for elections. Majority Leader Steve Gooch described the action at the Southern Border as part of “the battle to uphold our nation’s integrity.”
Second Attempt to Impeach Homeland Security Mayorkas Over Border Policy
Elsewhere in the nation, the Republicans in the House of Representatives have twice attempted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for high crimes and misdemeanors in his handling of the border crisis. Democrats and critics of the impeachment attempt view it as politically motivated and an effort to undermine President Biden’s border policy in advance of the election in November.
Some Republicans to Vote No on Impeachment Despite Fundamental Disagreements
It is unclear if the impeachment in the House will be successful, as some Republicans disagree with the Homeland Security Secretary’s approach and do not believe their differences should be politically punished.
Senate Deal Addressing Border Security Dead
There had been hope of a bipartisan border deal to address the crisis at the border, but the bill that provided foreign aid and border funding was defeated when Speaker Johnson said it would not pass the House.
Conservative States Band Together as No Change Likely at Federal Level
In the absence of federal actions that the GOP would find favorable at the border, states like Georgia, Florida, and Texas are banding together to assert their right to protect their state interests.
