Gov. Noem announces another National Guard deployment to southern border

PIERRE, S.D. (KEVN) - Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will deploy South Dakota National Guard troops to the southern border later this spring. This will be the fifth time that the South Dakota National Guard has deployed to the southern border to assist in border security efforts during the Noem Administration.

“The border is a warzone, so we’re sending soldiers,” said Governor Noem. “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.”

South Dakota National Guard soldiers are being deployed to the southern border in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request for help dealing with the border crisis. 60 soldiers will be sent over three months. Details about their mission may not be disclosed for security reasons.

Last month, the South Dakota legislature and Governor Noem held the first joint session in the nation to support Texas’ efforts to secure the border against threats from the Biden administration. Governor Noem gave a special speech to the joint session of the legislature, and shortly after, the legislature became the first in the nation to pass a resolution in support of Texas’ efforts and states’ rights.

In her address to the joint session, Governor Noem expressed her desire for different rules of engagement if South Dakota again deployed National Guard soldiers to the border. “In the past, our troops have been hindered by federal restrictions when deployed to the border. 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 ensure that happens.” Her wishes have been fulfilled by the new primary mission of constructing a border wall.

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