The National Guard is expecting a rapid increase in unit activations over the next few weeks, leaders said at the Pentagon Thursday, filling roles like coronavirus testing and potentially law enforcement. Governors in 27 states have already activated elements of their National Guard forces, but everywhere in the country, state leaders have declared states of emergency, said Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau.
“With COVID-19, it’s like we have 54 separate hurricanes in every state, territory and the District of Columbia,” Lengyel said. “Unlike a hurricane, we don’t know when this will dissipate or head out to sea. But a historic event requires a historic response.”
More than 2,000 Guard personnel have been activated in total so far.
“We anticipate that number going up relatively quickly, in fact, doubling by this weekend," Lengyel added. “I’m expecting tens of thousands to be used inside the states as this grows. ... This could quickly blossom in the next couple weeks."
If the president wanted to, he could mobilize the National Guard under a Title 10 authorities..........
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Poster Comment:
I smell a rat. "Guard units can be trained to administer tests or support medical professionals who administer the tests. Colorado, New York and Rhode Island have already started training Guard personnel for that role" -- does that make any sense at all? Sounds like pure self-justification.