EXCLUSIVE: Trump’s National Guard deployment ‘not a political stunt,’ Gov. Martinez says

In an exclusive interview with ABC-7 News Anchor Rick Cabrera, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez said she disagrees with those who say President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to the southern border is a political stunt or ploy.

“I certainly agree with his decision,” Martinez said, “because our number one priority is to make sure New Mexicans and Americans are safe. I don’t think protecting the people of New Mexico and Americans is a political stunt or a political ploy.”

The governor explained the State of New Mexico already had 44 national guardsmen on the ground helping with anti-drug trafficking efforts. Martinez said the state sent an additional 68 national guard troops to assist Border Patrol. The state can send up to 150 troops, depending the situation on the ground, the governor said. “We cannot have the drug trafficking and the sex trafficking come into our country,” Martinez said, “there is a peak (illegal border crossings) right now that we are experiencing.

As ABC-7 previously reported, the number of illegal border crossings nearly tripled in March 2018 compared to the same time period in 2017. “It is certainly the biggest concern, that there is a spike in the people illegally crossing the border with drugs and, obviously, the sex trafficking,” the governor said.

Martinez brought up her 25-year experience as a prosecutor. “I know what happens here when you have people crossing illegally with tons of drugs and committing crimes in our counties. It’s not like I don’t know directly what happens, so it’s sad to hear (critics of the president’s plan) would turn the safety of our country into a political ploy or a stunt.”

The governor told ABC-7 she believes the deployment of the national guard will make a difference. “It allows the Border Patrol agents to actually have their boots on the ground and doing what they do best. And the National Guard, what they are going to do is support the Border Patrol.”

Martinez said the guardsmen will work on things like surveillance and fixing vehicles, not enforcing federal immigration laws. “They will merely be the eyes and ears of Border Patrol agents and assisting with any surveillance that needs to be done,” Martinez said.

When asked how she will be able to determine if the deployment is successful, Martinez said, “We need to make sure there are more border patrol men and women doing what it is they do and arresting those who cross the border with drugs. We’ll be able to tell if those numbers start to fall.”

There is no timeline on when the deployment will end and the governor does not expect a timeline. “You cannot put a timeline on securing the border and protecting Americans,” she said, “Anytime the Border Patrol needs the assistance of the New Mexico National Guard, we will be there.”

When asked who will determine when it is the right time to end the deployment, Martinez said national guardsmen on the border are under her control, but the decision will be made in conjunction with the White House.

“We are being included in these conversations. We are being a part of these conversations. We will continue to talk with the White House to see where the progress is and where do we need to make a shift or not, add more or not, reduce or not, all those things are very fluid,” Martinez said.