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State senator criticizes using Tenn. Guard on U.S.-Mexico border duty when they can't defend themselves

Published February 13th, 2007 | 2 Comments

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- State Sen. Tim Burchett has asked Gov. Phil Bredesen to reconsider the use of Tennessee National Guard troops along the Mexican border, saying their inability to defend themselves is "a recipe for disaster."

President Bush ordered about 6,000 soldiers to the border in May to support the Border Patrol and local law enforcement. The guard was supposed to help fill support roles and does not have authority to arrest or detain illegal immigrants.

In a letter to the governor, the Knoxville Republican wrote that the troops should be given "authorization ... to defend themselves and our borders," according to a press release issued Monday.

"Not allowing them to engage anyone, that's going to get somebody killed," Burchett told The Associated Press. "It's just a recipe for disaster."

However, Maj. Gen. Gus Hargett, the Tennessee Guard's top commander, said calling for guardsmen to engage in armed confrontations is "a bad idea" and could militarize the border with Mexico.

"How would we feel if one of our people crossed that border and they were confronted by the Mexican military? Suddenly we've got a DMZ between our country and Mexico," Hargett said.

Guardsmen are "in danger all the time," regardless of the rules they are operating under, Hargett said.

"If we have rules of engagement I think we would put them in more danger, because suddenly you've got a national guardsperson who's not an experienced police officer enforcing civilian laws along that border," he said.

A recent standoff between four Tennessee guardsmen and an unidentified group of armed men along the Mexican border in Arizona has raised questions about the rules of engagement for soldiers who were sent to the border in what was supposed to be a backup role.

Six to eight gunmen - possibly heading for Mexico with drug money - approached the troops at an overnight observation post Jan. 3. No one fired a shot, and the confrontation ended when American troops withdrew to contact the Border Patrol. The gunmen then fled into Mexico.

Hargett said he would discuss the issue with the governor. Burchett said he doesn't think the governor is doing anything wrong, but just wants him to re-examine the troops' role.

Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said the governor's office appreciates "Sen. Burchett's concern and comments" and repeated a statement issued last week expressing Bredesen's support for the guard's mission.

In November, Burchett held a group of teenagers at gunpoint until police arrived after he said they tried to break into a warehouse he owns.

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If they are only standing there what is that going to do... is it supposed toscare them away... So what happens if one of our men or women get killed then what? are they allowed to do somthing them... but why should we wait till it goes that far... Other people should not have more rights than we do in our own country...

Shanna Begley | 2/13/2007 - 9:09 AM - ( Comment

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Then why put them there. If they have no powers of arrest and cannot enforce laws, then it is ludicrous to place them in danger.

Jefferson Davis | 2/13/2007 - 6:38 AM - ( Comment

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