Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan visited McAllen, Texas, Saturday and said he intends to accelerate border security planning while working to bolster the administration’s border activities without requiring endless DOD help, AP reported.
During the brief visit Shanahan offered assurances that the Pentagon has no plans to end its military support early.
“We’re not going to leave until the border is secure,” Shanahan said. “This isn’t about identifying a problem. It’s about fixing a problem more quickly.”
Earlier Shanahan had dismissed questions that armed forces deployments will be extended.
“It will not be indefinite,” he told reporters.
Personnel shortages and other shortalls have prompted the Department of Homeland Security to request the Pentagon’s continuing border presence, as ADC has reported.
“What we want is for DHS to be effective and stand alone,” Shanahan said.
Troops have been deployed on the border since October and are committed through September.
Army photo by Sgt. Amber Smith
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