Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee journeyed to Eagle Pass, Texas, delving into briefings on the most severe border crisis the United States has faced in decades. Joining forces with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and 12 counterparts, Gov. Lee engaged in discussions on how states can restore security amidst the federal government’s faltering leadership. In a decisive move, Gov. Lee committed to dispatching two additional waves of Tennessee National Guard troops, reinforcing Texas’ ongoing endeavors to enhance border security.
Expressing concern, Gov. Lee emphasized, “Republican governors have long raised alarms; the open border experiment has disastrously failed America. Citizens nationwide grapple with the repercussions of surging crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. This crisis will escalate without immediate action. Hence, governors unite to accomplish what the federal government neglects – securing our Nation’s southern border.”
Today, Governor Lee made a commitment to dispatch two waves of state active-duty soldiers to Texas, extending a helping hand in their ongoing efforts. The Tennessee Department of Military is in close coordination with Texas, working to establish a timeline and identify areas of utmost urgency. The initial wave of Tennessee National Guard volunteers is anticipated to be on the border within sixty days.
Tennessee’s history of supporting Texas in border security endeavors is noteworthy. Despite the current administration’s criticism and legal actions against Texas for safeguarding American citizens amidst the surge in illegal crossings, human trafficking, and the trafficking of dangerous drugs like fentanyl, Tennessee has consistently stepped forward to provide valuable resources.
Over the past three years, the Volunteer State has consistently deployed hundreds of soldiers to the southern border. Presently, over 125 soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard’s 1175th Transportation Company are concluding a year-long deployment. Their primary mission involves supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection by operating mobile surveillance sites to detect illegal crossings and monitor surveillance cameras.
In addition to Governors Lee and Abbott, a coalition of Governors participated in the border crisis briefing. This group includes Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, and Utah Governor Spencer Cox.