DeSantis Seeks To Reestablish Civilian Military Force

CNN reports:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to reestablish a World War II-era civilian military force that he, not the Pentagon, would control. DeSantis pitched the idea Thursday as a way to further support the Florida National Guard during emergencies, like hurricanes.

DeSantis is proposing bringing it back with a volunteer force of 200 civilians, and he is seeking $3.5 million from the state legislature in startup costs to train and equip them.

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.

Read the full article. As you can see below, his gubernatorial challengers are displeased.

After the Pentagon mandates vaccines for National Guard, Gov. Ron DeSantis proposes a new volunteer civilian state guard in Florida that he could control.https://t.co/966VviZVrb

— Steve Contorno (@scontorno) December 3, 2021

No Governor should have his own handpicked secret police. https://t.co/BWEPhM5rHa

— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) December 2, 2021

Wannabe dictator trying to make his move for his own vigilante militia like we’ve seen in Cuba. Florida is not and will never be Ronnie’s regime. https://t.co/e6e4AkfRg7

— Annette Taddeo (She/Her/Ella) (@Annette_Taddeo) December 2, 2021