The National Guard is preparing for its fall training programs, but Donald Trump’s deployments are eating into its operational budget
The National Guard is feeling the cost of Donald Trump’s insistence on using National Guard troops to carry out his expansive immigration roundups and policing actions in Washington, D.C.
National Guard Major General Greg Porter, based in Wyoming, told the state’s lawmakers during a meeting of the Joint Transportation Highways & Military Affairs Committee that the costs of Trump’s National Guard deployments are still unknown, but they’re no doubt eating into the branch’s funds, according to WyoFile.
Porter said that the costs of prolonged deployments will eat into funding intended for things like training and operations.
If only the US Federal departments were set up to stop operations when budgets run out. But alas, the US government loves debt.
They are. It’s why everything in the federal government shuts down when the debt ceiling is hit.
There are exceptions made for critical functions, such as emergency management and the military and such. However, IIRC they don’t get paid until Congress approves more funding; they still have to show up. National Guard troops sent out to deal with the toddler-in-chief’s latest tantrum aren’t going to be any happier if they don’t get paid.
This is useful to know. ICE is getting paid and are very willing participants. The National Guard isn’t so willing and may not be getting paid, but they will defend themselves and follow specific orders. Any civil action should take this into account.