HC Wake-Up Call: Pentagon Reveals What Troops Will Be Doing At US-Mexico Border, Nikki Haley Condemns Syria Chemical Attack, US Deficit To Hit $1 Trillion

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

The Pentagon Released New Details About Sending Troops To The Border

Last week, President Trump signed a proclamation to send National Guard troops to the United States-Mexico border. Now, the Pentagon is offering details about what the troops will (and won't be) doing. 

Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, a Defense Department spokesman, told The Washington Post that troops will "provide air support through drones and light-, medium- and heavy-lift helicopters."

"[Troops] will also help maintain roads and other infrastructure, clear vegetation and assist with facility maintenance, in addition to operating surveillance systems, including cameras and blimps," Davis told the Post.

However, troops won't be arresting migrants or carrying out armed patrols. Details regarding the operation's length and cost haven't been released.

Nikki Haley Said Russia's Hands Are "Covered In The Blood Of Syrian Children" After Chemical Attack

Though President Trump has yet to make a decision regarding how the U.S. will respond to a chemical weapons attack on Syria that occurred over the weekend, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley strongly condemned Iran, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia; the latter of which she said has its hands "covered in the blood of Syrian children."

"Russia could stop this senseless slaughter, if it wanted," Haley said at a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council. "But it stands with the Assad regime and supports it without hesitation. What's the point of trying to shame such people? After all, no civilized government would have anything to do with Assad's murderous regime."

Haley said that the United States will respond. "History will record this as the moment when the Security Council either discharged its duty or demonstrated its utter and complete failure to protect the people of Syria."

Read more of her remarks here.

The Government Is On Track To Have A $1 Trillion Deficit In 2020

The prediction of the rising deficit came from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Monday. 

"The federal budget deficit grows substantially over the next several years," said CBO Director Keith Hall, according to the Washington Post. "Federal debt is projected to be on a steadily rising trajectory throughout the decade."

In fiscal 2018, the deficit is expected to hit $804 billion, which is up 21 percent from 2017.

What to look out for...

Today, April 10, is Equal Pay Day. Her Campus broke down everything you need to know about it here.