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National Guard will monitor only ‘transitional crime’ near Mexico border in California

President Trump threatened to cut funding for the California National Guard if Gov. Jerry Brown deploys the troops “to do nothing” after the Democrat said he would limit their participation in the president’s border security operation.

“Governor Jerry Brown announced he will deploy ‘up to 400 National Guard Troops’ to do nothing. The crime rate in California is high enough, and the Federal Government will not be paying for Governor Brown’s charade,” Trump wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

“We need border security and action, not words!” he said.

California late Wednesday announced that it had reached an agreement with Homeland Security to send Guard troops to the Mexican border but they will not enforce immigration laws or help build a barrier wall.

The 400 Guard members will fight “transitional crime,” Brown’s order said, including gang activity, human trafficking and gun and drug smuggling.

It hasn’t been decided how many troops will be stationed at the border because many will be deployed to other parts of the state, including the coast, Brown’s spokesman Evan Westrup said.

Governors control the Guard troops in their states, but they are funded by the federal government.

Homeland Security director Kirstjen Nielsen wrote on Twitter that she had talked to Brown.

“Final details are being worked out but we are looking forward to the support,” she said.

It was unclear how much California would participate in President Trump’s plan to send 4,000 National Guard troops to help secure the border after a spike in illegal crossings.

The governors of Arizona, Texas and New Mexico – all Republicans – quickly agreed to deploy the forces to carry out Trump’s mission.

About 1,000 troops are now stationed along the border.

On Wednesday, Trump blasted Brown for creating uncertainty.

“Jerry Brown is trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border, but the people of the State are not happy. Want Security & Safety NOW! ,” he wrote on Twitter.

The Trump administration and Brown have also clashed over sanctuary cities, with the governor in October 2017 signing legislation limiting how much local law enforcement officers and employers can assist federal immigration authorities.

The Department of Justice is challenging those laws.

With Post wires