A political deployment

President Trump last week demanded military protection on the U.S.-Mexico border until his “border wall” can be built. Defense Secretary James Mattis complied with the president’s request, signing a memo Friday that authorizes up to 4,000 National Guard troops to deploy to the U.S.-Mexico border. About 500 troops have already deployed, along with vehicles, equipment and helicopters.

What’s less clear is whether California will be part of the effort.

Most of the states that Trump is depending on to send the troops have been quick to respond — and their responses have been partisan. Republican governors in the border states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas are supporting the deployment. Democratic governors in Oregon and Montana have declined to send troops.

But one governor who’s remained silent is Jerry Brown.

Brown may have good reasons for staying mum.

The Trump administration has yet to provide a solid plan for the troops. We don’t yet know who’s paying for the deployment, or how long it’s expected to last. We don’t know what Trump’s goals are for the troops, or what he would consider to be success for this mission.

If the deployment turns out to be little more than political theater, Brown may not want to pick another public fight with the administration over it.

Deploying National Guard troops to the border isn’t necessarily a partisan issue — Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama each sent troops there during his tenure. Depending on the mission, a deployment can even make sense. The California Guard has 55 employees there right now, fighting drug trafficking and repairing roads.

But the Trump administration doesn’t seem to have a sensible goal in mind. So the governor needs to say no — and soon.

The reason Congress hasn’t funded Trump’s border wall is because it’s a self-serving fantasy that antagonizes a critical trading partner. It won’t stop illegal immigration or improve U.S. security.

Trump’s call for troops at the border is more of the same. Without a defined mission and clear goals, it’s impossible to say what California, the United States or Mexico stand to gain from this plan. In the absence of better answers, the only choice is for Brown to say no.