SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom is withdrawing several hundred National Guard troops from the nation's southern border and changing their mission.
The Democrat plans to rescind on Monday an earlier authorization for the troops to aid the Trump administration. That agreement was made by former California Gov. Jerry Brown.
Newsom will allow roughly 100 troops to continue working with the federal government specifically focused on combating transnational drug and gun smuggling.
Newsom's decision follows a move by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to withdraw that state's troops from the border mission.
Newsom's office says California has about 360 National Guard soldiers deployed on the U.S. Mexico border.
Newsom spokesman Nathan Click says 110 troops will be redeployed to wildfire preparation and 150 will work on the state's counterdrug task force program. That change requires approval from the U.S. Department of Defense.
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