The recent decision by South Dakota Gov. Krista Noem to send 50 members of the state’s National Guard to Texas, paid by a wealthy Republican donor in Tennessee to augment border control, represents a blatant example of faulty and flawed decision-making by a governor unconcerned about the appropriate use of the South Dakota National Guard.
Though Gov. Noem’s action is a legal response to a request by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, it still reeks of misconduct and misjudgment. It places the Guard, commanded by a governor in event of domestic crises, in an unenviable position of being perceived as mercenaries paid by a wealthy donor who opposes immigration at our southern border.
It also paints an ugly, undeserved picture of a military force used for political purposes.
The whole scenario exemplifies governmental norms gone astray. It further fractures our democracy, blurring the line between the proper and improper use of our military forces.
In our current political environment, loopholes offer opportunities for those with questionable moral compasses to propagate mischief and bad behavior.
Control of illegal immigration is a federal responsibility. Governors, even when well-intentioned, lack the resources to successfully tackle a complicated problem with foreign policy implications. Vote-getting and base appeasement are insufficient reasons for deploying National Guard troops to the troublesome southern border.
Just imagine if a wealthy donor offered to pay for the Guard to combat urban crime—an undeniably serious problem—without seeking a mayor’s agreement, the situation could become chaotic and conflict with local law enforcement.
Suppose a wealthy donor offers to subsidize the use of Guard troops to clean up trash along major highways, or fight wildfires, oblivious, perhaps deliberately, to robust local efforts, public services would be disrupted.
While I well understand that our democracy is based, rightly so, on civilian control of the military, our founding fathers implicitly assumed that political leaders would act responsibly and respect the norms for appropriate use of military forces. Our early leaders understood the danger of using soliers and sailors as political pawns in an authoritarian way.
The National Guard is funded approximately 96% by the federal government, covering salaries and training. States pick up the remaining four percent. So, when Republican Gov. Noem calls up 50 Guard members for what Republican Gov. Abbott considers an emergency—and it may be on several levels—she is using troops trained and almost entirely compensated by the Department of Defense. She’s also deciding that she knows better than the President and the Defense Department the need to send South Dakota Guard members to Texas.
When Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan called up the Guard to assist in operating Covid-19 vaccination sites, he was reacting properly to a national, if not a worldwide emergency, an epidemic unseen since 1918. He was not thumbing his political nose at the federal government. He smartly was taking advantage of troops skilled in medical matters and logistics for the sake of Maryland citizens. He was participating in a nationwide assault on Covid.
The South Dakota National Guard deserves better civilian leadership on the state level. It warrants a perception and reputation untainted by politics.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In retirement, Howard serves on the boards of several non-profits on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
Stephen Schaare says
“Faulty and flawed decision making” Your description of Governor Noem’s use of National Guard on our southern border. A politician that gives a damn about something and takes action. Use of the Guard on the border is exactly correct. They are not here to collect trash from the roadside. With any leadership at all, there would be fifty thousand of the Guard on the border.
A “do nothing” Congress in DC. We debate mask or no mask. We don’t give a damn about hundreds of thousands of unscreened, untested, from God knows where flooding into this once great republic. And now sixty troops from South Dakota are an issue? I guess you would consider it wrong for an elected official to send the Guard to Chicago, NYC, and other cities to at least reduce the daily bloodletting and carnage from very bad people killing children and elderly alike? Thank God for Governor Noem and her symbolic gesture. I would like to see her and other Governors send the Guard to the shooting gallery of Baltimore.
“She’s also deciding that she knows better than the President “. Yes. She knows much better than, are you referring to Biden or Susan Rice? The President.
” For what Republican Governor Abbott considers an emergency” This invasion and distribution of invaders is not an emergency??? Really?
We need many more Governors like Noem and Abbott. They actually care about this country and have the courage to take action.
Howard Freedlander says
Paid by a wealthy donor? That’s okay with you, Stephen? Use the Guard as mercenaries? Where does this stop? You suggest that governors send Guard troops to the “shooting gallery of Baltimore.” That’s interesting. Requested by Mayor Scott or Governor Hogan, or without their blessing, paid by the same wealthy Tennessee donor?
Stephen Schaare says
Dear Howard, In response to your queries, Yes, yes and yes. Any American willing to first recognize, then support the tragedy of our southern border is good with me.
You bemoan that the National Guard is supported by tax revenue and being misused by Gov Noem, then a concerned American defers the cost, and you remain critical.
Billionaire, Hungarian Anarchist George Soros has been funneling tens of millions of dollars to the campaigns of OUR district attorneys who refuse to prosecute criminals. Does this trouble you?
You refer to Greg Abbott as ” a Governor who opposes immigration” That is a false statement. The disgrace at the Texas border is not immigration, it is an invasion. Tons of garbage, filthy diapers and human waste are left on the property of local residents by these individuals.
Oh, by the way, the “detention centers” are currently running an 8% infection rate with the Covid. For perspective, NYC was shut down last year when they hit 3% infection.
The Mayor of Baltimore has requested 100 Federal officers to help with the homicides. God bless.
There are times , with certain events, when local officials need to be over ruled. The Gov of Illinois needs to be influenced by higher authority to place thousands of National Guard in the most violent areas of Chicago. So many innocent “people of color” are being butchered. Does anyone care? Problem is, there is no higher authority in DC (Dumb and Dumber) that gives a damn about the black genocide. I remember some wise American saying ” you get the government you deserve “. So sad, so true.
One more thing, closer to home. I see the city of Cambridge is reverting to tradition. Assaults, rapes and murders are ticking back up.
Yes, any American willing to address the National disgraces of the southern border and urban carnage is OK with me. Thank you.
Henry Herr says
Immigration numbers have steadily decreased since 2007. Not sure how sending 60 troops away from their families in a Covid Hotspot state is a smart decision. Not sure what they are going to do to fix the border. The precedent that this sets is terrifying. If you are okay with this, CA or NY can send the National Guard wherever they want with whoever paying for it. Not sure this is something to celebrate.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2021/03/10/illegal-immigration-in-america-has-continued-to-decline/
Stephen Schaare says
Dear Henry, Again, this is NOT immigration. We have a process for that. It involves paperwork , background checks and medical screening. Several fees, and waiting.
I admire these Governors because they are making an effort. They are TRYING to address a national tragedy.
Henry Herr says
All the same, illegal immigration numbers have been steadily declining since 2007, when it was at it’s highest. No one was sending the National Guard then.
Do you have any statistics that illegal immigrants are constituting a “national tradegy?”
Stephen Schaare says
Henry, You must reside beneath a very large rock. No way an adult can be this clueless. I believe this is a ruse. You’re not going to fool me. Very well done. Be well-Steve
Henry Herr says
I’m sorry I seem clueless, just trying to understand. If you don’t want to explain that’s okay. My opinion will always be that everyone should be welcome in the United States, just as my ancestors were. It’s a foundation of my Christianity.
Linda Baker says
Stephen, once again your rebuttal is on track. I agree with you 100%. I would just like to remind Mr. Freedlander something he already knows. The states decide on use of National Guard, not the Federal Government. The Governor of each state can ask for bringing in National Guard from other areas, or use them when needed. In this case, it’s not costing the government or state a penny, even better! There is a true emergency at the Mexican border! And many American families are suffering from it as they invade their properties.
Henry Herr, your report is from 2019, and Trump was in office. Immigrants coming into the border since Biden opened it up has increased tremendously. We have had as many immigrants come in this year by June 2021 than all of 2019. Most of them are young men, many with criminal backgrounds.
This is all being shoved under the rug while Joe is turning away Cubans who are actually going thru fear of persecution, the main qualifying requirement for asylum!
I feel like so many people have blinders on to what is happening with our country.
Stephen Schaare says
Thank you Linda, As you well understand, I too often am alone in this forum. Sorry not to hear from Mr. Freedlander. I have found that a little bit of truth keeps the hard left away
Thank you again-Steve
Howard Freedlander says
Please see my response, Stephen, written earlier to Linda Baker’s comment. You should be careful about jumping to self-serving conclusions.
Henry Herr says
Do you have any statistics proving that the immigrants are men with criminal backgrounds? I have found no research that states that the current surge is the worst it’s ever been in the country and is still low in recent years. What policy has Biden implemented that has changed border policy?
Linda Baker says
Mr Herr, just go out on the internet, you can find all kinds of information on the numbers. Even CNN back in May 2021 said the numbers were extremely high. (Please stop looking at 2 years ago, look at articles 2 and 3 months ago). When Biden was running for office he said he was opening the border. That’s all the immigrants needed to hear, and they began coming. Two things that Biden implemented, stop the building of the border wall, and broke deal with Mexico so Mexico was no longer policing and keeping so many from coming to our border. Start caring about our American citizens for a change. We have many of them suffering also.
Henry Herr says
Can you provide any evidence that a border wall prevents illegal immigration? What policy did Biden implement that caused an increase? I’m just trying to see the statistics. I’ll happily read any links you can provide. Thank you.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Linda. A governor can call up the Guard for what he or she considers a state emergency, as long as that state has the money to pay, feed and house the troops. Often state budgets are pinched; in that case, a governor requests declaration of an emergency by the federal government to obtain federal funding. In the event of foreign combat, only the President can call the Guard.
I’m struck by your characterization of the immigrants on the Mexican border as “invaders.”
Is that a new term for immigrants? Just curious.
Stephen Schaare says
Howard, They are over running everything. They are unrestricted and being re settled across the country They are in this country illegally and pumping out babies. Invaders. May I please ask your age? Linda sounds like a living, breathing, conscious adult.
Sir, do you have any problem with the urban killings? Have you heard about this issue? I am dumbfounded.
Howard Freedlander says
As a senior citizen, Stephen, I always appreciate your wisdom—and common sense (huh?).
darrell parsons says
It’s a losing battle to attempt to have a rational discussion with Mr. Schaare. He will simply continue to spew unsubstantiated talking points and then bow out of the conversation when he is asked to provide some basic proof.
Linda Baker says
I believe when you have 500,000 people crossing our border in 3 months (and that is just the ones that got caught), that is an invasion, not a true and lawful immigration. You really believe this is not an emergency for the state? For the American citizens living in these areas that have to deal with this mass amount of illegal immigrants purging our borders!? I don’t understand how you cannot care about our American citizens! Our American citizens have had to protect their own property the best they can because there is more people coming in than the border patrol can handle. So Kudos to the person who put the money up to have some troops down there to protect our American Citizens! At least someone is a Patriot!
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Linda , I have tried, as have you. No getting through to some folks. Shoveling against the tide. Thank you again. Nice work. Steve
Barbara Perry says
I completely agree with your assessment of what Gov. Noem did is not a proper use of South Dakota’s National Guard.
What I also question is will the wealthy donor pay those called up Guard personnel for any lost wages that they may suffer when forced to leave their civilian jobs for an extended period? I doubt it. Civilian employers are not required to hold positions open nor to cover any pay difference from what a soldier makes in the military compared to their civilian pay and when called up for long periods of time, these soldiers very often suffer financial hardship and their families also suffer and often must use food banks to get by. This is not how we should treat anyone in any of our military branches. If Abbott needed help then Texas should have paid for it or better yet, Abbott should let the federal government handle it since it is the job of the federal government to do so, not the various Governors of the states.
Robert Siegfried says
Excellent piece!
The Republican Clown Car show just goes on and on !