January 1, DeSantis Proposes Civilian Florida State Guard Military Force That He’d Control

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) proposed reestablishing a World War II-era civilian-military force that he would control.

DeSantis announced the idea while speaking about his military budget proposal. The Florida State Guard would be independent of federal control.

According to a press release, the Guard would consist of 200 volunteer civilians “trained in the best emergency response techniques” that would aid in the event of natural disasters or other state emergencies.

The Florida State Guard was initially created in 1941 to fill in for National Guard members deployed during World War II. It was later disbanded in 1947.

DeSantis said the proposed unit would “not be encumbered by the federal government,” adding that this force would give him “the flexibility and the ability needed to respond to events in our state in the most effective way possible.”

DeSantis is requesting $3.5 million from the state legislature to establish the unit.

Florida Democrats pushed back on the proposal, with 2022 gubernatorial challenger Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL) calling the guard “handpicked secret police.”

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DeSantis proposes Florida civilian military force that he’d control