george w. bush in 2006, they did similar things. the obama administration sent 1200 national guard troops to the southern border to assist border patrol and immigration officials amid concerns about drug trafficking, provided surveillance and reconnaissance. the bush administration launched operation jump-start for engineering road buildings. what the president seemed to be saying is that different, he may be looking at a more aggressivee approach with the national guard perhaps taking on a direct law enforcement role. a senior official is saying the number of national guard troops will be "substantial," suggesting a larger number than we have ever seen before.l, we will have to fact-check that and see how it plays out. as you noted, the reaction from mexico, swift and negative.. vicente fox said this is provoking hate and distance between our countries.