| THE TOPLINE: President Trump will soon sign an order to deploy National Guard troops to the United States's southern border, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced Wednesday. Speaking at the White House, Nielsen framed the move as a way to toughen an immigration system that "rewards bad behavior," including illegal drug smuggling and border crossings. "Border security is homeland security, which is national security," Nielsen told reporters. "It's not a partisan issue." THE DETAILS: The announcement, which comes one day after Trump declared his intent to send troops to the Mexican border, is limited on specifics. What we don't know: It's still unclear how many troops will be sent to the border, how long they will be deployed and how much the operation will cost. What we do know: Nielsen did tell reporters that DHS is working in a partnership with the governors who represent the four states along the U.S.-Mexico border: California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. "I have spoken with all of the governors and will be continuing these conversations," Nielsen said. What about Mexico?: Nielsen also said she has spoken with her counterparts in Mexico about the deployment of National Guard troops, and that she doesn't expect the operation to affect the relationship. She added that the administration considers replacements and updates to the border wall as qualifying as "new" segments of border wall. Two takeaways: - The lack of public details about the operation suggests Trump's announcement may have taken many in his administration by surprise.
- The president is facing pressure from his base to secure a win on immigration, after Congress ignored his request for $25 billion to build the border wall.
PENTAGON LOOKING TO EXPAND BORDER SUPPORT: The Pentagon is discussing with the White House ways to "expand" its support for the DHS missionon the U.S.-Mexico border, which could include building portions of a wall on military bases positioned along the border. "There are a number of ways the Department of Defense is already supporting the DHS border security mission," chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement. "We are still in consultation with the White House about ways we can expand that support." Nielsen said at the White House press conference that "there are some lands that the Department of Defense owns right on the border that are actually areas where we see illicit activity," in terms of illegal border crossings. "As part of what DOD does everyday in terms of force protection, we're looking into options for the military to build wall on military installations on the border." IN OTHER NEWS… TRUMP RELUCTANTLY KEEPS TROOPS IN SYRIA: Also on Wednesday, Trump was reported to begrudgingly accept recommendations to keep the roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria until ISIS is defeated. But he didn't completely give up his desires to pull out of the country, as he has also instructed the U.S. military to prepare for a withdrawal, according to multiple reports. The White House on Wednesday followed up on the reports with an official statement, declaring that the military mission to eliminate the ISIS's presence in Syria is "coming to a rapid end," but offered no timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. forces. "The military mission to eradicate ISIS in Syria is coming to a rapid end, with ISIS being almost completely destroyed," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. "The United States and our partners remain committed to eliminating the small ISIS presence in Syria that our forces have not already eradicated." PUSHBACK ON TRANSGENDER BAN: The country's largest medical organization Wednesday told Defense Secretary James Mattis that it believes his recommendations on excluding most transgender people from military service "mischaracterized and rejected" evidence on treatment for gender dysphoria. "We believe there is no medically valid reason--including a diagnosis of gender dysphoria--to exclude transgender individuals from military service," American Medical Association CEO James Madara wrote in a letter to Mattis. "Transgender individuals have served, and continue to serve, our country with honor, and we believe they should be allowed to continue doing so." It's not the first time the group has jumped into the debate. It released a statement after President Trump's July tweets on banning transgender troops that said "there is no medically valid reason" to do so. Why another letter? The newest letter is in response to a three-page memo and 44-page report Mattis submitted to President Trump late last month outlining his recommendations on how to handle transgender troops. THREE PLANE CRASHES IN TWO DAYS: An Air Force pilot is missing after their F-16 crashed Wednesday morning outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, according to a service statement. The pilot, assigned to Nellis Air Force Base in the state, "crashed at approximately 10:30 am during routine training on the Nevada Test and Training Range," the statement said. "The condition of the pilot is unknown at this time. Emergency responders are on the scene." The crash comes a day after a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crash in southern California that is suspected to have killed all four Marine Corps crew members on board. Two other Marine aircraft were damaged or destroyed Tuesday while participating in the Alligator Dagger training exercise in international waters off the coast of Djibouti. ON TAP FOR TOMORROW: Army Secretary Mark Esper will speak about building a more lethal force in an era of renewed great power at 10 a.m. at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. The Hudson Institute will hold a conversation on the future of the Iran nuclear deal at noon in Washington, D.C. The Center for Strategic and International Studies will hold a forum on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. At 2 p.m. in Washington, D.C. ICYMI: -- The Hill: Intel chief: Trump CIA pick will 'fully' explain torture involvement -- The Hill: NASA awards contract to build 'X-plane' for supersonic air travel -- The Hill: Trump, Macron discuss push to defeat ISIS in call -- The Hill: Israel says it prevented naval terrorist attack off Gaza coast -- The Hill: Moscow: US using 'non-existent Russian threat' to boost military -- The Hill: ' Intel chief wants to 'play offense' on cyber warfare -- The Hill: Opinion: Trump's pressure against North Korea is best way to avoid war -- The Hill: Opinion: The threat of Iran must be stopped -- The Hill: Opinion: Don't take the wrong steps in Syria, Iraq and the fight against terrorism --Defense News: Pricetag for Pentagon's major weapon systems grows by 10 percent | 
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