The Head of the National Guard Gen Joseph Lengyel does NOT want Guard mobilized on Federal level, wants to leave under State Governors or will lose ability to be nimble and help in future with local law enforcement, if needed.
Gen Lengyel: for National Guard, COVID19 is like having 54 Hurricanes at once, some CAT5. Of 54 States/territories, 27 State Governors have activated parts of state National Guard. 2,050 Guard members mobilized so far, will double by this weekend. "This could quickly blossom."
Q: Could President order National Guard mobilized at federal level?
Gen Lengyel: "The President could mobilize the National Guard but would NOT make sense in this case, better to remain under command and control of states."
Gen Lengyel: "The President could mobilize the National Guard but would NOT make sense in this case, better to remain under command and control of states."
"If you federalize National Guard, Posse Comitatus prevents National Guard from being used as law enforcement in states," according to Gen Lengyel.
"They can assist with law enforcement, faster, more effective response."
"They can assist with law enforcement, faster, more effective response."
Q: Will there be a role for National Guard in law enforcement?
Gen Joseph Lengyel: "Could be."
Gen Joseph Lengyel: "Could be."
Gen Lengyel: "There are no plans (for National Guard) to build field hospitals." "We don't actually have field hospitals." NY has mobilized 50 medical technicians. Lengyel: this is "zero sum game." You are taking them out of their civilian jobs as medical technicians, etc.
Gen Lengyel: If you federalize the National Guard you take them out from under the State Adjutants. More efficient under state control. Federal is less flexible system. "You can get all you need if you leave them in a state status."
Gen Lengyel tells Pentagon press corps: If you mobilize all 450,000 National Guard (under federal authorities,) it will cost billions and they won't have anything to do yet. Wants State Governors to mobilize units as they need them.
