(NewsNation) — A historic showing is in store for President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration parade and the men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be out in force.
While we saw similar showings for previous parades for Trump and former President Barack Obama, sources tell NewsNation the agency will be doubling its presence this time around because of how important immigration is to the upcoming president.
CBP will have the largest showing in agency history with around 140 people marching, led by the CBP Combined Pipes and Drums Corps leading the way with agents from the field operations, air and marine operations, honor guard and border patrol SWAT team, BORTAC, included as well.
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Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens tells me the agents deserve to be front and center after what they endured over the past four years.
Another participant in the parade is the famed K9 officer Yoda, who helped capture Pennsylvania fugitive Danilo Calvalcante after an intensive manhunt.
There may also be a horse patrol unit that was involved in the alleged whipping scandal that went viral. A CBP investigation found the agents did not use the reins on their horses to actually whip people.
The agents were publicly chastised but never publicly exonerated.
Art Del Cueto, Vice President of the Border Patrol Union, said he is glad the agency is getting this opportunity but he is concerned that the agents who actually have their boots on the ground at the border day in and day out won’t be the ones with boots on the ground in Washington, D.C.
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“They’ve been put in a very bad light for a long time, not just these last few years. But I think this is something that opens the eyes of everyone and (shows) they’re proud to be border agents,” he said. “I really hope that they have some actual agents, actual boots on the ground, the ones that make the ultimate sacrifice, the ones that are out there day in, day out. They’re not out there just for the dog and pony show.”
Chief Owens said the men and women of border patrol need to know the American people love them and have their backs.
