Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, this is "news?"

Man, liberals sure are scared of DeSantis.

I’m scared. Should I not be?

He is also a scared control freak. Only a frightened man forbids saying certain words or reading certain books. Strong people don’t do that.

DP

A control freak who is also building a private military that answers only to him.

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-100m-private-florida-army-raises-questions-1786877

Oh, FFS. You are suffering from paranoia.

This, from the Brennan Center for Justice in Dec. 2021......

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/reestablishing-floridas-state-guard-wont-give-desantis-private-army

In practice, though, what DeSantis is proposing is unlikely to pose the threat that his opponents fear: that of a powerful, private state army that can operate as a kind of National Guard free from federal control.

For starters, a “state defense force” — also known as a state military, state military force, state militia, state military reserve, or, in Florida’s case, a state guard — is not a new or unusual concept. Both state defense forces and the National Guard are modern versions of the “Militia” contemplated by the Constitution. State defense forces are authorized by Congress under 32 U.S.C. § 109. Twenty-two states, including California, Texas, and New York, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently maintain state defense forces, and many more states have laws that allow for their creation.

In practice, state defense forces tend to be small, auxiliary forces trained in specialized areas such as search and rescue operations and used to support their states’ National Guard. The defense force DeSantis has in mind is no exception. He is calling for a force of 200 volunteers and asking for $3.5 million from the state legislature to train and equip them. The Florida National Guard, by contrast, consists of nearly 12,000 military personnel, employs an additional 450 civilians, and receives more than $454 million in federal funds and about $18 million in state funding annually.

There is thus little risk of a state defense force serving as a significant counterweight to the federally-regulated National Guard. Nor could it somehow replace the Guard; under 32 U.S.C § 104(f), states cannot disband their National Guard without the president’s consent or even reduce their Guard’s strength below the minimum set by the president.


And, from your link:

the purpose......
"to help with emergency response measures and to back up the Florida National Guard."

"The Florida Defence Force, later renamed the State Guard, was formed in 1941 shortly before the U.S. entered World War II, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt federalized the existing National Guard. In 1947 the unit was disbanded, after which it would lay dormant for over 70 years.

A number of U.S. states have state defense forces in some form, many of them geared towards assisting with disaster relief—a major issue in hurricane-prone Florida.

Governor DeSantis announced the Florida State Guard would be reformed in December 2021, and the following year the state legislature approved $10 million to raise a force of 400 soldiers.

Speaking in June 2022 DeSantis said: "The Florida State Guard will be comprised of Floridians, and it will be assigned to assist and help only Floridians.

"It will not be subject to be mobilized by the federal government, and the federal government cannot impose policies or penalties on the Florida State Guard."

Appearing before the Florida Senate's Appropriations Committee, Chris Spencer, DeSantis' director of policy and budget, said the enlarged State Guard would support the National Guard."

Oh FFS YOURSELF. This is some cockamamie bullshit. He's replicating the Florida National Guard, which already exists and already is there to serve the purpose. But he's a power hungry control freak who hates federal government.

Stop covering for the man. This is a completely nonsensical move, which will unnecessarily waste hundreds of millions of Florida taxpayer dollars.

Hey, pp.
Cry more. By my count, there are at least 20 states with ACTIVE state defense forces.... some in blue states like California and New York.
Guess these governors are wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayers dollars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_defense_force

And, all states allow it.....

Title 32 U.S. Code § 109 subsection (c) provides for these SDFs.

In addition to its National Guard, if any, a State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, or the Virgin Islands may, as provided by its laws, organize and maintain defense forces. A defense force established under this section may be used within the jurisdiction concerned, as its chief executive (or commanding general in the case of the District of Columbia) considers necessary, but it may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces.

California's Guard is part of the National Guard as are most of the others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny that no one mentioned this:

During his military career, DeSantis has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Where are Biden’s military accolades? Oh, wait…

The material point is that military service is not hugely important to voters, and unless you were a high-ranking military official or someone like John McCain, then running on your military record is a stretch, and foolhardy.

DP. He served honorably. This helps him.

+1

Torture isn't honorable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny that no one mentioned this:

During his military career, DeSantis has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Where are Biden’s military accolades? Oh, wait…

The material point is that military service is not hugely important to voters, and unless you were a high-ranking military official or someone like John McCain, then running on your military record is a stretch, and foolhardy.

DP. He served honorably. This helps him.

+1

Torture isn't honorable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, this is "news?"

Man, liberals sure are scared of DeSantis.

I’m scared. Should I not be?

He is also a scared control freak. Only a frightened man forbids saying certain words or reading certain books. Strong people don’t do that.

DP

A control freak who is also building a private military that answers only to him.

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-100m-private-florida-army-raises-questions-1786877

Oh, FFS. You are suffering from paranoia.

This, from the Brennan Center for Justice in Dec. 2021......

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/reestablishing-floridas-state-guard-wont-give-desantis-private-army

In practice, though, what DeSantis is proposing is unlikely to pose the threat that his opponents fear: that of a powerful, private state army that can operate as a kind of National Guard free from federal control.

For starters, a “state defense force” — also known as a state military, state military force, state militia, state military reserve, or, in Florida’s case, a state guard — is not a new or unusual concept. Both state defense forces and the National Guard are modern versions of the “Militia” contemplated by the Constitution. State defense forces are authorized by Congress under 32 U.S.C. § 109. Twenty-two states, including California, Texas, and New York, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently maintain state defense forces, and many more states have laws that allow for their creation.

In practice, state defense forces tend to be small, auxiliary forces trained in specialized areas such as search and rescue operations and used to support their states’ National Guard. The defense force DeSantis has in mind is no exception. He is calling for a force of 200 volunteers and asking for $3.5 million from the state legislature to train and equip them. The Florida National Guard, by contrast, consists of nearly 12,000 military personnel, employs an additional 450 civilians, and receives more than $454 million in federal funds and about $18 million in state funding annually.

There is thus little risk of a state defense force serving as a significant counterweight to the federally-regulated National Guard. Nor could it somehow replace the Guard; under 32 U.S.C § 104(f), states cannot disband their National Guard without the president’s consent or even reduce their Guard’s strength below the minimum set by the president.


And, from your link:

the purpose......
"to help with emergency response measures and to back up the Florida National Guard."

"The Florida Defence Force, later renamed the State Guard, was formed in 1941 shortly before the U.S. entered World War II, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt federalized the existing National Guard. In 1947 the unit was disbanded, after which it would lay dormant for over 70 years.

A number of U.S. states have state defense forces in some form, many of them geared towards assisting with disaster relief—a major issue in hurricane-prone Florida.

Governor DeSantis announced the Florida State Guard would be reformed in December 2021, and the following year the state legislature approved $10 million to raise a force of 400 soldiers.

Speaking in June 2022 DeSantis said: "The Florida State Guard will be comprised of Floridians, and it will be assigned to assist and help only Floridians.

"It will not be subject to be mobilized by the federal government, and the federal government cannot impose policies or penalties on the Florida State Guard."

Appearing before the Florida Senate's Appropriations Committee, Chris Spencer, DeSantis' director of policy and budget, said the enlarged State Guard would support the National Guard."

Oh FFS YOURSELF. This is some cockamamie bullshit. He's replicating the Florida National Guard, which already exists and already is there to serve the purpose. But he's a power hungry control freak who hates federal government.

Stop covering for the man. This is a completely nonsensical move, which will unnecessarily waste hundreds of millions of Florida taxpayer dollars.

DP. So then I know how outraged you must be about California and New York ALSO having these state guard units - right? Let me help you out with your fact-checking skills:

News 6 investigated and found the national guard’s own records show they have capped the number of Florida National Guard troops at 12,000 since 1958, which resulted in Florida ranking 53 out of 54 states and territories when it comes to the number of troops per capita.

Major Gen. John Haas, the assistant adjutant general for the Florida National Guard, admitted to the shortcomings during a recent meeting of the Florida Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.

“We will always be challenged as long as we are an undersized formation,” he told the committee.

Twenty-two other states have supplemented the national guard with their own state guard forces.

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/investigators/2023/03/09/desantis-seeks-98-million-to-fund-floridas-own-military/

States have the power to create defense forces separate from the national guard, though not all of them use it. If Florida moves ahead with DeSantis’ plan to reestablish the civilian force, it would become the 23rd active state guard in the country, DeSantis’ office said in a press release, joining California, Texas and New York. These guards are little-known auxiliary forces with origins dating back to the advent of state militias in the 18th century. While states and the Department of Defense share control of the National Guard, state guards are solely in the power of a governor.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/02/politics/florida-state-guard-desantis/index.html

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny that no one mentioned this:

During his military career, DeSantis has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Where are Biden’s military accolades? Oh, wait…

The material point is that military service is not hugely important to voters, and unless you were a high-ranking military official or someone like John McCain, then running on your military record is a stretch, and foolhardy.

DP. He served honorably. This helps him.

Yep. And, contrary to what pp said.... Military service is a plus for any candidate.

Not for me it isn’t.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, this is "news?"

Man, liberals sure are scared of DeSantis.

I’m scared. Should I not be?

He is also a scared control freak. Only a frightened man forbids saying certain words or reading certain books. Strong people don’t do that.

DP

A control freak who is also building a private military that answers only to him.

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-100m-private-florida-army-raises-questions-1786877

Oh, FFS. You are suffering from paranoia.

This, from the Brennan Center for Justice in Dec. 2021......

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/reestablishing-floridas-state-guard-wont-give-desantis-private-army

In practice, though, what DeSantis is proposing is unlikely to pose the threat that his opponents fear: that of a powerful, private state army that can operate as a kind of National Guard free from federal control.

For starters, a “state defense force” — also known as a state military, state military force, state militia, state military reserve, or, in Florida’s case, a state guard — is not a new or unusual concept. Both state defense forces and the National Guard are modern versions of the “Militia” contemplated by the Constitution. State defense forces are authorized by Congress under 32 U.S.C. § 109. Twenty-two states, including California, Texas, and New York, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently maintain state defense forces, and many more states have laws that allow for their creation.

In practice, state defense forces tend to be small, auxiliary forces trained in specialized areas such as search and rescue operations and used to support their states’ National Guard. The defense force DeSantis has in mind is no exception. He is calling for a force of 200 volunteers and asking for $3.5 million from the state legislature to train and equip them. The Florida National Guard, by contrast, consists of nearly 12,000 military personnel, employs an additional 450 civilians, and receives more than $454 million in federal funds and about $18 million in state funding annually.

There is thus little risk of a state defense force serving as a significant counterweight to the federally-regulated National Guard. Nor could it somehow replace the Guard; under 32 U.S.C § 104(f), states cannot disband their National Guard without the president’s consent or even reduce their Guard’s strength below the minimum set by the president.


And, from your link:

the purpose......
"to help with emergency response measures and to back up the Florida National Guard."

"The Florida Defence Force, later renamed the State Guard, was formed in 1941 shortly before the U.S. entered World War II, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt federalized the existing National Guard. In 1947 the unit was disbanded, after which it would lay dormant for over 70 years.

A number of U.S. states have state defense forces in some form, many of them geared towards assisting with disaster relief—a major issue in hurricane-prone Florida.

Governor DeSantis announced the Florida State Guard would be reformed in December 2021, and the following year the state legislature approved $10 million to raise a force of 400 soldiers.

Speaking in June 2022 DeSantis said: "The Florida State Guard will be comprised of Floridians, and it will be assigned to assist and help only Floridians.

"It will not be subject to be mobilized by the federal government, and the federal government cannot impose policies or penalties on the Florida State Guard."

Appearing before the Florida Senate's Appropriations Committee, Chris Spencer, DeSantis' director of policy and budget, said the enlarged State Guard would support the National Guard."

Oh FFS YOURSELF. This is some cockamamie bullshit. He's replicating the Florida National Guard, which already exists and already is there to serve the purpose. But he's a power hungry control freak who hates federal government.

Stop covering for the man. This is a completely nonsensical move, which will unnecessarily waste hundreds of millions of Florida taxpayer dollars.

Hey, pp.
Cry more. By my count, there are at least 20 states with ACTIVE state defense forces.... some in blue states like California and New York.
Guess these governors are wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayers dollars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_defense_force

And, all states allow it.....

Title 32 U.S. Code § 109 subsection (c) provides for these SDFs.

In addition to its National Guard, if any, a State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, or the Virgin Islands may, as provided by its laws, organize and maintain defense forces. A defense force established under this section may be used within the jurisdiction concerned, as its chief executive (or commanding general in the case of the District of Columbia) considers necessary, but it may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny that no one mentioned this:

During his military career, DeSantis has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Where are Biden’s military accolades? Oh, wait…

The material point is that military service is not hugely important to voters, and unless you were a high-ranking military official or someone like John McCain, then running on your military record is a stretch, and foolhardy.

DP. He served honorably. This helps him.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny that no one mentioned this:

During his military career, DeSantis has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Where are Biden’s military accolades? Oh, wait…

The material point is that military service is not hugely important to voters, and unless you were a high-ranking military official or someone like John McCain, then running on your military record is a stretch, and foolhardy.

He hasn't "run on his military record," but it's certainly a big part of his career history. Not sure why anyone would try and diminish that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, this is "news?"

Man, liberals sure are scared of DeSantis.

I’m scared. Should I not be?

He is also a scared control freak. Only a frightened man forbids saying certain words or reading certain books. Strong people don’t do that.

DP

A control freak who is also building a private military that answers only to him.

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-100m-private-florida-army-raises-questions-1786877

DP. This is just too easy. I listed your very favorite states first.

https://stateguard.cmd.ca.gov/public/
https://dmna.ny.gov/nyg/
http://www.nettally.com/hgowan/state_guards.html#:~:text=These%20are%20the%20Alaska%20State%20Defense%20Force%2C%20Alabama,Guard%2C%20Texas%20State%20Guard%2C%20and%20Virginia%20Defense%20Force.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny that no one mentioned this:

During his military career, DeSantis has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Where are Biden’s military accolades? Oh, wait…

The material point is that military service is not hugely important to voters, and unless you were a high-ranking military official or someone like John McCain, then running on your military record is a stretch, and foolhardy.

DP. He served honorably. This helps him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, this is "news?"

Man, liberals sure are scared of DeSantis.

I’m scared. Should I not be?

He is also a scared control freak. Only a frightened man forbids saying certain words or reading certain books. Strong people don’t do that.

DP

A control freak who is also building a private military that answers only to him.

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-100m-private-florida-army-raises-questions-1786877

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, this is "news?"

Man, liberals sure are scared of DeSantis.

I’m scared. Should I not be?

He is also a scared control freak. Only a frightened man forbids saying certain words or reading certain books. Strong people don’t do that.

DP

A control freak who is also building a private military that answers only to him.

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-100m-private-florida-army-raises-questions-1786877

Oh, FFS. You are suffering from paranoia.

This, from the Brennan Center for Justice in Dec. 2021......

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/reestablishing-floridas-state-guard-wont-give-desantis-private-army

In practice, though, what DeSantis is proposing is unlikely to pose the threat that his opponents fear: that of a powerful, private state army that can operate as a kind of National Guard free from federal control.

For starters, a “state defense force” — also known as a state military, state military force, state militia, state military reserve, or, in Florida’s case, a state guard — is not a new or unusual concept. Both state defense forces and the National Guard are modern versions of the “Militia” contemplated by the Constitution. State defense forces are authorized by Congress under 32 U.S.C. § 109. Twenty-two states, including California, Texas, and New York, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently maintain state defense forces, and many more states have laws that allow for their creation.

In practice, state defense forces tend to be small, auxiliary forces trained in specialized areas such as search and rescue operations and used to support their states’ National Guard. The defense force DeSantis has in mind is no exception. He is calling for a force of 200 volunteers and asking for $3.5 million from the state legislature to train and equip them. The Florida National Guard, by contrast, consists of nearly 12,000 military personnel, employs an additional 450 civilians, and receives more than $454 million in federal funds and about $18 million in state funding annually.

There is thus little risk of a state defense force serving as a significant counterweight to the federally-regulated National Guard. Nor could it somehow replace the Guard; under 32 U.S.C § 104(f), states cannot disband their National Guard without the president’s consent or even reduce their Guard’s strength below the minimum set by the president.


And, from your link:

the purpose......
"to help with emergency response measures and to back up the Florida National Guard."

"The Florida Defence Force, later renamed the State Guard, was formed in 1941 shortly before the U.S. entered World War II, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt federalized the existing National Guard. In 1947 the unit was disbanded, after which it would lay dormant for over 70 years.

A number of U.S. states have state defense forces in some form, many of them geared towards assisting with disaster relief—a major issue in hurricane-prone Florida.

Governor DeSantis announced the Florida State Guard would be reformed in December 2021, and the following year the state legislature approved $10 million to raise a force of 400 soldiers.

Speaking in June 2022 DeSantis said: "The Florida State Guard will be comprised of Floridians, and it will be assigned to assist and help only Floridians.

"It will not be subject to be mobilized by the federal government, and the federal government cannot impose policies or penalties on the Florida State Guard."

Appearing before the Florida Senate's Appropriations Committee, Chris Spencer, DeSantis' director of policy and budget, said the enlarged State Guard would support the National Guard."

Oh FFS YOURSELF. This is some cockamamie bullshit. He's replicating the Florida National Guard, which already exists and already is there to serve the purpose. But he's a power hungry control freak who hates federal government.

Stop covering for the man. This is a completely nonsensical move, which will unnecessarily waste hundreds of millions of Florida taxpayer dollars.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny that no one mentioned this:

During his military career, DeSantis has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Where are Biden’s military accolades? Oh, wait…

The material point is that military service is not hugely important to voters, and unless you were a high-ranking military official or someone like John McCain, then running on your military record is a stretch, and foolhardy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, this is "news?"

Man, liberals sure are scared of DeSantis.

I’m scared. Should I not be?

He is also a scared control freak. Only a frightened man forbids saying certain words or reading certain books. Strong people don’t do that.

DP

A control freak who is also building a private military that answers only to him.

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-100m-private-florida-army-raises-questions-1786877

Oh, FFS. You are suffering from paranoia.

This, from the Brennan Center for Justice in Dec. 2021......

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/reestablishing-floridas-state-guard-wont-give-desantis-private-army

In practice, though, what DeSantis is proposing is unlikely to pose the threat that his opponents fear: that of a powerful, private state army that can operate as a kind of National Guard free from federal control.

For starters, a “state defense force” — also known as a state military, state military force, state militia, state military reserve, or, in Florida’s case, a state guard — is not a new or unusual concept. Both state defense forces and the National Guard are modern versions of the “Militia” contemplated by the Constitution. State defense forces are authorized by Congress under 32 U.S.C. § 109. Twenty-two states, including California, Texas, and New York, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently maintain state defense forces, and many more states have laws that allow for their creation.

In practice, state defense forces tend to be small, auxiliary forces trained in specialized areas such as search and rescue operations and used to support their states’ National Guard. The defense force DeSantis has in mind is no exception. He is calling for a force of 200 volunteers and asking for $3.5 million from the state legislature to train and equip them. The Florida National Guard, by contrast, consists of nearly 12,000 military personnel, employs an additional 450 civilians, and receives more than $454 million in federal funds and about $18 million in state funding annually.

There is thus little risk of a state defense force serving as a significant counterweight to the federally-regulated National Guard. Nor could it somehow replace the Guard; under 32 U.S.C § 104(f), states cannot disband their National Guard without the president’s consent or even reduce their Guard’s strength below the minimum set by the president.


And, from your link:

the purpose......
"to help with emergency response measures and to back up the Florida National Guard."

"The Florida Defence Force, later renamed the State Guard, was formed in 1941 shortly before the U.S. entered World War II, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt federalized the existing National Guard. In 1947 the unit was disbanded, after which it would lay dormant for over 70 years.

A number of U.S. states have state defense forces in some form, many of them geared towards assisting with disaster relief—a major issue in hurricane-prone Florida.

Governor DeSantis announced the Florida State Guard would be reformed in December 2021, and the following year the state legislature approved $10 million to raise a force of 400 soldiers.

Speaking in June 2022 DeSantis said: "The Florida State Guard will be comprised of Floridians, and it will be assigned to assist and help only Floridians.

"It will not be subject to be mobilized by the federal government, and the federal government cannot impose policies or penalties on the Florida State Guard."

Appearing before the Florida Senate's Appropriations Committee, Chris Spencer, DeSantis' director of policy and budget, said the enlarged State Guard would support the National Guard."

+1
You beat me to it. Amazing the misinformation and outright BS being passed off here, as if no one is going to fact check these twits.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, this is "news?"

Man, liberals sure are scared of DeSantis.

I’m scared. Should I not be?

He is also a scared control freak. Only a frightened man forbids saying certain words or reading certain books. Strong people don’t do that.

DP

A control freak who is also building a private military that answers only to him.

https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-100m-private-florida-army-raises-questions-1786877

Oh, FFS. You are suffering from paranoia.

This, from the Brennan Center for Justice in Dec. 2021......

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/reestablishing-floridas-state-guard-wont-give-desantis-private-army

In practice, though, what DeSantis is proposing is unlikely to pose the threat that his opponents fear: that of a powerful, private state army that can operate as a kind of National Guard free from federal control.

For starters, a “state defense force” — also known as a state military, state military force, state militia, state military reserve, or, in Florida’s case, a state guard — is not a new or unusual concept. Both state defense forces and the National Guard are modern versions of the “Militia” contemplated by the Constitution. State defense forces are authorized by Congress under 32 U.S.C. § 109. Twenty-two states, including California, Texas, and New York, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently maintain state defense forces, and many more states have laws that allow for their creation.

In practice, state defense forces tend to be small, auxiliary forces trained in specialized areas such as search and rescue operations and used to support their states’ National Guard. The defense force DeSantis has in mind is no exception. He is calling for a force of 200 volunteers and asking for $3.5 million from the state legislature to train and equip them. The Florida National Guard, by contrast, consists of nearly 12,000 military personnel, employs an additional 450 civilians, and receives more than $454 million in federal funds and about $18 million in state funding annually.

There is thus little risk of a state defense force serving as a significant counterweight to the federally-regulated National Guard. Nor could it somehow replace the Guard; under 32 U.S.C § 104(f), states cannot disband their National Guard without the president’s consent or even reduce their Guard’s strength below the minimum set by the president.


And, from your link:

the purpose......
"to help with emergency response measures and to back up the Florida National Guard."

"The Florida Defence Force, later renamed the State Guard, was formed in 1941 shortly before the U.S. entered World War II, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt federalized the existing National Guard. In 1947 the unit was disbanded, after which it would lay dormant for over 70 years.

A number of U.S. states have state defense forces in some form, many of them geared towards assisting with disaster relief—a major issue in hurricane-prone Florida.

Governor DeSantis announced the Florida State Guard would be reformed in December 2021, and the following year the state legislature approved $10 million to raise a force of 400 soldiers.

Speaking in June 2022 DeSantis said: "The Florida State Guard will be comprised of Floridians, and it will be assigned to assist and help only Floridians.

"It will not be subject to be mobilized by the federal government, and the federal government cannot impose policies or penalties on the Florida State Guard."

Appearing before the Florida Senate's Appropriations Committee, Chris Spencer, DeSantis' director of policy and budget, said the enlarged State Guard would support the National Guard."