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Blue States Should Seriously Consider ALL Options to Disband Their State's National Guard Units.

Although every state has one, there is no federal requirement that they do.

And since Trump is repeatedly violating federal law by using such units to be deployed for domestic "law enforcement" duties, the governors of California, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania (the largest states with Democratic governors) should consult with their AGs and legislatures and disband their state's National Guard units as soon as possible.

Since states have rarely needed their Guard units to quell domestic disturbances, those states can easily replace the duties of the Guard to help with natural disasters by other means.

That might not stop Trump from federalizing, say, Ohio's National Guard or South Carolina's. But Republican voters in such Red States will tire of Trump's tractics pretty quick due to the strain such deployments put on Guard members and their families when Guard members are sent to San Francisco or Seattle to plant flowers and pick up trash as they were doing in D.C.

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DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

Would work only for a short while. Please remember Trump actually had called the military in California, even if they did nothing.

In California the national guard also deals with fire situations.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

If there is no Guard to call up in a given state. he'd have to use Guard units from other states, likely Red ones. Which will just anger his base.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@beckyromero please California is mostly one that MUST have the guard. The fires are just too frequent all year long.

Trump would just let it burn.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

California is mostly one that MUST have the guard. The fires are just too frequent all year long.

Trump would just let it burn.

You obviously didn't read or simply glossed over my alternative to the Guard there.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@beckyromero You obviously haven't thought this through. Fire fighting DEMANDS Training and as well as to be trained NOW.

The guard has that training NOW, as well as decades of experience.

Decades of Experience in Command Structure

Institutional Knowledge

Leadership Expertise: The National Guard's command structure consists of leaders with decades of experience in emergency management, law enforcement, and military operations. Their knowledge of effective strategies in crisis situations is invaluable for coordinating responses.

Historical Context: Experienced leaders understand past events and responses, allowing them to make informed decisions that are crucial during emergencies.
They can analyze patterns and adapt strategies based on what has worked or failed in the past.

Mentorship and Training

Skill Development: Experienced personnel play a crucial role in training newer members, passing on knowledge about procedures, safety protocols, and emergency response tactics that are vital for effective operations.

Crisis Management: The command structure’s experience can streamline decision-making processes, ensuring quick and effective responses to crises, which is essential for maintaining public safety.

Community Trust and Relations

Established Networks: Decades of service often result in well-established relationships with local government, law enforcement, and community organizations. This trust is critical when engaging the public during emergencies.

Proven Track Record: Experienced leadership has an established history of successful interventions and operations, reinforcing community confidence in the National Guard during times of need.

Conclusion

The deep reservoir of experience within the National Guard’s command structure is a critical asset for California’s emergency response capabilities.

Disbanding this established team would not only eliminate their training and operational skills but also the invaluable leadership and mentorship that have been built over decades.

This could lead to a significant degradation in the state’s ability to respond to emergencies effectively.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

You obviously haven't thought this through. Fire fighting DEMANDS Training and as well as to be trained NOW.

Oh please! California could have long emplemented a reserve fire fighting crew to deal with the fires by now, trained and equiped them (just as they do with the Guard). Credits for tuition could have been an incentive for sign-ups. Hell, they managed to train PRISON inmates to fight fires.

The state could have had more DC-10s and helicopters on stand-by.

They could have bought those Super Scoopers from Quebec instead of leasing them decades ago (wasn't it Gov Pete Wilson who vetoed once such bill by saying salt water damages vegetation)?

But your state doesn't want to spend the money!

Let the insurance companies pay after thousands of lives are upended is the attitude there, in many cases for lifetimes.

Require the power companies to clear the brush around high transmission lines. Not drain resourivors needed for fighting fires for minor repairs and leave them unfilled for year.

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beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

Equipment is a different issue. There's not enough equipment as is. And that requires training as well.

Well, your state needs more equipment. And you have a whole Bone Yard of old DCs and 747s around Mojave.

Train some fire-fighters that have flying experience just as your state started the paradmedic program with the Wedworth-Townsend Paramedic Act in 1970. Or hire retired commercial pilots and put them behind a desk job in the department near LAX or other local airports so that when the need arises, they are available with a plane ready to go a few minutes away. This isn't the Apollo Project that I am talking about.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

In one generation all that "experience" with the Guard is lost anyway.

And an indivudual's committment to the Guard is far less in years anyway. So transition them to a non-Guard unit and match them with the benefits. They can also still serve in the Reserves without being in the Guard.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@beckyromero As I already said that is a different issue. And I had long time ago figured out a better response to fires. Yet that isn't going to happen anymore than more aircraft.

In the meantime the fires will rage without the national guard. There's no way around this. The PEOPLE trust the guard.

TRUST takes time! Decades of time in fact.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

But they don't trust Trump.

You need to get over the mentality that he will be gone soon and things will return to normal. There is no guarantee of that!

Furthemore,

According to Governor Newsom:
Jun 24, 2025
California National Guard fire crews operating at just 40% capacity due to Trump’s illegal Guard deployment

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/06/24/california-national-guard-fire-crews-operating-at-just-40-capacity-due-to-trumps-illegal-guard-deployment/

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@beckyromero No they don't trust Trump. Yet Trump hasn't been nor will be in office for decades.

I wouldn't be surprised if he passes away from natural cause while in office. The guy is asking for a heart attack with that weight at his age.

What you are asking for is a short term solution, to a long term problem. It makes no sense either. The trust just isn't there.

Once again: TRUST takes time! Decades of time in fact.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

I wouldn't be surprised if he passes away from natural cause while in office.

And you think Vance would somehow by any less fascist than Trump?

Pence, I would say yes. Typical conservative Republican.

But Vance? He wants to inherit the MAGAs.

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beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

You are making assumptions about 2028 when we haven't even passed 2026 yet.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@beckyromero Nope! We will have the house in 2026. That isn't a debate. Just the Senate would be the question which I have been raving about all along.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

And you don't think Trump will use the National Guard or other methods to disrupt free and fair elections during the Mid Terms, in addition to the gerrymandering in Texas and other Red States?

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@beckyromero there is a small question whether or not he will "terminate" the constitution.

Yet this close to the election if he hasn't already started doing anything it's not going to happen. So where else is he affecting the election? 🤷🏻‍♂

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@DeWayfarer

The South Carolina Circuit Court Judge who may have been the target of an assassation attempt earlier today:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - A federal request to hand over sensitive information from millions of South Carolina voters is now on hold.

Late Tuesday, Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein issued a temporary restraining order resulting from a new lawsuit challenging whether the South Carolina Election Commission will give voters’ data to the Department of Justice.

Earlier this summer, the DOJ told South Carolina to turn over the information of the more than 3.3 million people registered to vote in the state, including their names, addresses, birthdates, driver’s license numbers, and last four digits of their Social Security Numbers. Other states received similar requests.

https://www.live5news.com/2025/09/03/judge-blocks-south-carolina-giving-doj-millions-voters-data/

---

The Trump administration badly wants state voter registration records before the mid terms so they can intimidate voters and work to order states to purge voter rolls.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@beckyromero That's outright corruption. Not actual gerrymandering like in Texas.

How you going to stop it? 🤷🏻‍♂

No national guard situation is going to stop it. Like any national guard would get involved in any way with preventing assassination of Democrats.

Wouldn't even happen with Republicans.