Montana National Guard Troops Headed To The Southern Border

Governor Greg Gianforte has directed Montana National Guard Troops to the southern United States in hopes of helping the state of Texas better secure the border. This move is in response to the state of Texas's request through the Emergency Management Compact. The announcement coincided with Governor Gianforte signing an executive order declaring a disaster on the southern border.

"Today, I signed a disaster declaration to mobilize Montana resources to help secure our southern border," Gov. Gianforte said. "President Biden has left our southern border completely exposed and overrun by drug cartels, who are bringing deadly crime and drugs into our country. While he refuses to do his job, Republican governors are stepping up to do it for him."

The ten Montana National Guard soldiers will arrive in Texas on April 8th, 2024, and return to Montana on May 12th, 2024. This visit is in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbot's request for support. Abbot met with 13 other governors to discuss the issues along the southern border.

Drug Laws In Montana

Govoner Gianforte has also taken steps to crack down on drug trafficking here in the Treasure State. The Governor has signed into law a mandatory minimum sentence of two years of jail time, a $50,000 fine, or both for anyone convicted of trafficking fentanyl in the state of Montana.

Fentanyl In United States

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency's Rocky Mountain Field Division, fentanyl pill seizures are up 78 percent year over year. Three million fentanyl pills were seized in 2023 between Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming.