Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced today that he is sending up to 1,000 Florida National Guard soldiers to Texas in support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lonestar. DeSantis said, “I think what Texas is doing is just defending itself, I think that’s a core attribute of sovereignty to be able to do that.”
DeSantis was joined by the Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard Major General John Haas, saying, “The Florida National Guard is always up to the task, and will represent the state of Florida well in this very important mission. Our governor has a unique military perspective because he has served our country in uniform, as a naval officer and judge advocate general he knows first hand the dedication and discipline required for missions such as this.”
DeSantis said the Florida National Guard will assist the Texas National Guard, saying, “Texas has the right to erect barriers, they weren’t not even a party to that decision, and so I think they’re continuing to do what they’re going to do, and were going to assist them in doing that.” He stated the actions being taken by Texas are due to the federal government not enforcing law, saying, “The federal government’s not enforcing the law, all the states are trying to do is actually enforce the law as required.”
DeSantis wrote on X, “Florida has been assisting at the southern border since 2021, and we are sending more support from both the @FLStateGuard & up to one battalion of @FLGuard. Their mission will be to assist Texas in erecting barriers at the border to stop the invasion of illegal aliens.”
