For decades, the National Guard has had some level of presence on the southwest border. The border mission is mostly static security and surveillance, but troops typically are not allowed to interact directly with migrants or suspected smugglers. It also has been contributing to retention issues that have plagued the Army National Guard. The move sparked numerous questions on the ethics and legality of privately funding National Guard operations — and came as Noem was boosting her national profile. The National Guard has frequently been caught in the middle between state politicians and federal officials.

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Persons: —, Daniel Hokanson, Military.com, Greg Abbott's, Chip Somodevilla, Hokanson, Herika Martinez, Christine Wormuth, JOSEPH PREZIOSO, Kristi Noem, megadonor Willis Johnson, Noem Organizations: Service, National Guard, Guard's, Business, Gov, Lone Star, Capitol Hill, US, Army National Guard, Army Guard, Guardsmen, Texas National Guard, AFP, Getty, Army, Guard, Massachusetts National Guard, South Dakota Republican Gov, Governors Locations: Mexico, Texas, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Africa, AFP