Lee, GOP governors vow to use National Guard for Trump's mass deportations
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Gov. Bill Lee, along with 25 other Republican governors, signed a letter last week committing to "utilize every tool" at their disposal, including possibly state law enforcement or the National Guard, to help with President-elect Trump's mass deportation plans.
Why it matters: The federal government doesn't have enough resources to carry out Trump's goal of deporting 11 million undocumented immigrants from the U.S. without cooperation from state and local police.
- And with 26 governors vowing to help, that gives Trump the promised cooperation of a majority of U.S. states — including those with some of the largest populations of undocumented people.
Reality check: Mass deportations will also likely face several procedural roadblocks, and the estimated $150 billion to $350 billion price tag to execute them is steep.
Yes, but: The letter from the Republican Governors Association said "we will do everything in our power to assist in removing them from our communities."
- The joint statement clarifies the "them" as "illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security" and "dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists."
What he's saying: Lee reiterated his support for Trump's immigration enforcement, but stopped short of committing the National Guard, the Tennessean reported last week. He pointed out the Trump administration "hasn't requested anything yet."
- "I agree that he should, because he's been elected, follow through with what he promised he would do for the American people," Lee said. "To the degree that Tennessee participates in that, I look forward to seeing what his plans are going to be. We will be supportive of the strategies of the president."
Zoom in: Tensions are high among immigrant rights activists and progressive leaders in Nashville in advance of Trump taking office.
- When Metro Council members voted down a proposal earlier this month for police to have quick access to private security camera videos, they cited fears of the program being used for immigration enforcement.