Steve Doocy falsely claimed that Obama “promised 1200 National Guard troops would be at the border by August 1st” and suggested Obama may “wait until November just in time for those midterm elections.” In fact, the National Guard announced on July 19 that the troops would “begin deploying” by August 1 and that “All 1,200 troops should be on the ground by September.”
Doocy falsely claims Obama broke promise on border troops
Written by Brooke Obie
Published
Doocy falsely claimed Obama administration “promised 1200 National Guard troops would be at the border by August 1st”
From the August 2 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:
DOOCY: The administration has promised 1,200 National Guard troops would be at the border by August 1st, yesterday. But only a small number have shown up. The administration says they need more time, but will they wait until November, just in time for those midterm elections?
[...]
DOOCY: So we've been promised that there would be what, 1,200 National Guardsmen down on our southern border by yesterday. Now they say, maybe by the end of August or September. What is going on there?
SHERIFF PAUL BABEU: You don't have to be a detective to figure this one out. Right on the eve of the November elections and 1,200 falls far short even just for Arizona.
In fact, DOD said in July that troops would begin deploying by Aug. 1 and be fully deployed “by September”
July 19 DOD press release: “Troops are expected to begin deploying to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California by Aug. 1.” A July 19 American Forces Press Service report stated:
Troops are expected to begin deploying to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California by Aug. 1. All 1,200 troops should be on the ground by September, Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, National Guard Bureau chief, said at the news conference.
Indeed, on July 19, FoxNews.com itself reported that the National Guard troops will deploy “starting on Aug. 1.” And a CBSNews.com article also reported, “The Obama administration announced Monday that National Guard troops will begin to be deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border on August 1st.”
National Guard troops will be “fully deployed” “by September.” In a July 19 article, the Associated Press noted that federal officials said"[t]he troops will undergo initial training and be fully deployed along the nearly 2,000-mile southern border by September."
Virginia National Guard reportedly said “they've always had 90 days to reach full deployment.” FoxNews.com reported on July 31 about “confusion and anger among Arizona lawmakers” who apparently thought all 1,200 troops would be on the border by August 1, and noted that a Homeland Security spokesman said, “This is the beginning deployment stage. There is a ramp-up time and troops will be trained. Nothing has changed in our world.” The article also reported:
[T]he National Guard Bureau in Virginia says the date has been “over interpreted” and they've always had 90 days to reach full deployment across the southern border states.
Bush CBP official: “You don't just turn a switch and have this happen overnight.” The New York Times reported on August 1st that Jay Ahern, who served as a Customs and Border Protection official under Bush, “said he was not surprised that Aug. 1 came without any visible troops.” The article further reported:
“You don't just turn a switch and have this happen overnight,” said Mr. Ahern, who was involved in Operation Jump Start, President George W. Bush's deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to the border from 2006 to 2008. “And these are not going to be people visible at our points of entry. They will be in remote areas and in support roles.”