In a surprising turn of events, Michigan's Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has given her approval for the deployment of her state's Army National Guard soldiers to the southern border.
This decision, confirmed by the Michigan Army National Guard on Thursday, starkly contrasts with Whitmer's previous criticisms of federal immigration enforcement and the utilization of National Guard troops under the administration of Republican President Donald Trump.
As reported by Newsmax, Whitmer's stance on immigration enforcement has been notably critical in the past. During her 2018 gubernatorial campaign, she seemed to suggest in a brief video clip that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished. Aligning herself with national Democrats, she accused ICE of abusing its authority and unfairly targeting immigrants.
As recently as June, Whitmer joined several Democratic governors in denouncing Trump's deployment of the California National Guard to assist immigration operations, labeling the move as "an alarming abuse of power." The group of governors asserted that they, not Washington, are the commanders in chief of their state Guards and that the federal government had no right to activate them without consent.
However, Whitmer has now quietly authorized Michigan's 1430th Engineer Company to be deployed to the southern border. The 120-member unit, based in Traverse City, will serve up to a year under U.S. Northern Command and Joint Task Force North, providing support to Customs and Border Protection. This deployment places Michigan among a growing list of states contributing troops to what the Trump administration describes as the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
It follows earlier Michigan Guard missions authorized by Whitmer in 2020 during Trump's first term in office, and then in 2021, 2022, and 2024, all under Title 10 authority.
Democratic Governors Gavin Newsom of California and JB Pritzker of Illinois have resisted or sued the administration over National Guard deployments. Both have contended that using state Guards for immigration enforcement exceeds federal power. Whitmer's recent action, after years of opposing such an approach, distinguishes her within her party and underscores a significant political shift.
The deployment of Michigan's National Guard to the southern border is a move that has been met with resistance from other Democratic governors. Yet, Whitmer's decision to authorize this deployment, despite her previous criticisms, highlights a notable shift in her political stance. This move adds Michigan to the growing list of states contributing to what the Trump administration has described as the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
The question remains as to what prompted this shift in Whitmer's stance. While it may be seen as a departure from her party's typical viewpoint, it could also be interpreted as a pragmatic response to the current immigration situation.
Regardless, it is clear that this decision marks a significant moment in Whitmer's political career, and it will be interesting to see how it impacts her standing within her party and among her constituents.
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