South Dakota set to deploy additional troops to border after private donor-funded deployment

The South Dakota National Guard is expected to deploy an additional 125 guardsmen following the deployment of 50 guardsmen; an expense covered by a private, billionaire Republican donor.

On Wednesday, the South Dakota Guard released a statement about South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's (R) intent to move forward with the additional deployments. "The guard members will provide non-law enforcement support to U.S. customs agents as part of the government's southwest border mission," according to a statement from the Guard.

Noem also shared a news release at the time. "Our South Dakota National Guard is the very best in the country, and they are prepared for the sustained response the national security crisis at our southern border requires," Noem said in the release.

She added, "I am hopeful that this mission indicates the Biden Administration is waking up to the devastating situation at the border."

According to The Argus Leader, the additional troops will be added to the estimated 3,000 other guardsmen that have been deployed from several other states. The guards are responsible for providing "non-law-enforcement support" agents with U.S.ea Customs working along the U.S. border in California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas.

The latest report comes amid intense scrutiny of Noem's decision to use partisan donor funding for National Guard troop deployment. Although Noem has stood by her decision to use private funds, many have disagreed with that move. In fact, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) said Noem's decision sets a "bad precedent."