Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker reverses decision to send National Guard to border over family separations



Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker faces reporters during a news conference, Monday, April 2, 2018, at the Statehouse, in Boston. An internal audit in March of 2018 uncovered cases in which troopers may have been paid overtime for shifts never worked ... more >

By Steve LeBlanc - Associated Press - Monday, June 18, 2018

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker is reversing a decision to send a Massachusetts National Guard helicopter and crew to U.S.-Mexico border, citing the Trump administration’s policy of separating children from their parents.

The Republican governor called the policy of taking children from their parents as families arrive at the border “cruel and inhumane” and said he would put off the National Guard mission.

“It’s cruel and inhumane, and I told the National Guard to hold steady and not go down to the border - period,” Baker told reporters. “So we won’t be supporting that initiative unless they change their policy.”

The crew had been set to fly down later this month to work with federal officials to help track illegal activity along the border with Mexico.

“They’re not going to the border,” Bakers said, adding that Massachusetts won’t be participating until the family separation policy is changed.

President Donald Trump on Monday pushed back against rising criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, again falsely blaming Democrats for the policy decision.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news...wont-send-nat/