{"id":29408,"date":"2020-03-23T01:20:51","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T01:20:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/23\/trump-orders-national-guard-into-federalized-status-states-keep-control-federal-government-foots-bill\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T09:37:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T09:37:35","slug":"trump-orders-national-guard-into-federalized-status-states-keep-control-federal-government-foots-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/federal-oversight\/2020\/03\/23\/trump-orders-national-guard-into-federalized-status-states-keep-control-federal-government-foots-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump provides federal funds for National Guard in three states; they keep control, federal government foots bill as COVID-19 cases rise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the number of coronavirus cases increases<\/a> in the U.S., President Donald Trump Sunday night ordered National Guard troops in three states to operate under a status that allows them to be managed by state governors, but be paid by the federal government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want to win this war with as few deaths as possible<\/a>,\u201d Trump said Sunday afternoon. \u201cToday, I am announcing action to help New York, California, and Washington, to ensure that the National Guard can effectively respond. The National Guard, these are tremendous people. Fully on alert. It has been activated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move will make it easier for states, already facing increasing costs as a result of the pandemic, to call in the National Guard if needed to help deal with the problems caused by COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have been more than 30,000 coronavirus cases in the U.S., with at least 400 deaths, CNN reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump\u2019s initial order called for National Guard troops in the three-hardest hit states \u2014 New York, California, and Washington \u2014 to operate under what is called Title 32. Under this federalized status, Guard troops still report to the governor, but the government picks up the cost. Normally, it is a 75-25 split, with states picking up the smaller portion, but Trump waived that split and the federal government will absorb the entire cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More states are expected to seek Title 32 status as the need arises, Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, told reporters Sunday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of this morning, governors across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. have each mobilized components of their Army and Air National Guard to assist in their state\u2019s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to reporters via a telephone conference, Lengyel again tamped down rumors that the Guard troops will be used to enforce martial law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is no truth to this rumor that people are conspiring, that governors are planning, that anyone is conspiring to use the National Guard, mobilized or not, Title 32 or state, to do military action to enforce shelter in place or quarantines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move is important, said Lengyel, because \u201cgovernors and adjutant generals know the best use of what\u2019s needed in their states,. This will help with unity of effort and speed of responses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though Guard troops won\u2019t be used to enforce shelter in place or quarantine, they can be used to assist in law enforcement efforts, Lengyel said, something routine during other national disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and large fires.<\/p>\n\n\n