Trump wants U.S. military to secure border until wall is built
April 4, 2018 at 2:00 a.m.
| Updated April 4, 2018 at 2:34 a.m.
by
Associated Press
In this Friday, Jan. 19, 2007 file photo, a National Guard unit patrols at the Arizona-Mexico border in Sasabe, Ariz. President Donald Trump said April 3, 2018, he wants to use the military to secure the U.S.-Mexico border until his promised border wall is built. The Department of Homeland Security and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. At the Pentagon, officials were struggling to answer questions about the plan, including rudimentary details on whether it would involve National Guard members, as similar programs in the past have done. But officials appeared to be considering a model similar to a 2006 operation in which former President George W. Bush deployed National Guard troops to the southern border in an effort to increase security and surveillance.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file)
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump wants to use the military to secure the U.S.-Mexico border until his "big, beautiful wall" is erected.
He said during a news conference Tuesday: "Until we can have a wall and proper security, we're going to be guarding our border with the military."
He has been frustrated by the lack of progress on fulfilling the signature promise of his campaign.
Federal law prohibits the use of active-duty service members for law enforcement inside the U.S., unless specifically authorized by Congress. But over the past 12 years, presidents have twice sent National Guard troops to the border to bolster security and assist with surveillance and other support.
The administration appears to be considering a model similar to a 2006 operation deployed by President George W. Bush.
