Following the politically-charged debate over immigration enforcement at the southern border, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has ordered the state’s National Guard troops back home, reportedly until President Donald Trump ends “his” family separation policy.
Unlike the bipartisan contingent of governors who refused to commit state military resources in protest of Trump’s immigration policies, Northam’s move is an extraordinary response to the rapidly developing controversy at the border.
“When Virginia deployed these resources to the border, we expected that they would play a role in preventing criminals, drug runners and other threats to our security from crossing into the United States – not supporting a policy of arresting families and separating children from their parents,” Northam said in a statement, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Attempting to show force in his rhetoric, Northam added, “Let me be clear – we are ready to return and contribute to the real work of keeping our nation safe. But as long as the Trump administration continues to enforce this inhumane policy, Virginia will not devote any resource to border enforcement actions that could actively or tacitly support it.”
A Chesterfield County-based Virginia National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter and the four-person crew will be brought back to the Commonwealth. The crew, who left June 4, was on a 90-day mission to provide aerial reconnaissance support for border patrols.
They were dispatched following an order from the federal National Guard Bureau to assist the Arizona National Guard with immigration enforcement. A second crew was scheduled to rotate in halfway through the mission to provide backup.
Before the highly-partisan rhetoric began dominating news cycles, the Democratic governor vowed to provide National Guard resources to assist in immigration enforcement ff President Trump gave the order.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring and 20 other attorneys general signed a joint letter calling for the end to the family separation policy.
“This policy is a stain on the soul of our country,” Herring said.
Typically, the “Virginia Way” prevails during hyper-partisan situations, wherein both sides of the aisle put aside difference to do what is best for Commonwealth and country. However, it seems that the folksy pediatrician from the Eastern Shore has joined in on the widespread seditious sentiment that plagues the U.S.
