WATCH: Sherrill Slams MAGA Republicans for Refusing to Protect National Guard from Political Interference and Abuse of Domestic Deployment

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), former Navy helicopter aircraft commander and member of the House Armed Services Committee, slammed MAGA House Republicans for blocking her National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment to protect the National Guard from political interference and abuse of domestic deployments. 

“There are dangerous gaps in the laws that govern National Guard deployment and in years past, the Trump Administration sought to exploit these loopholes and abuse power for their own political agenda. The law is clear – troops under federal command are not allowed to be used as law enforcement officials without invoking the Insurrection Act,” said Rep. Mikie Sherrill. “If elected to another term, Donald Trump promised to be a dictator on Day One and his Project 2025 plan has outlined Trump’s intent to weaponize the military and law enforcement to go after his political opponents. We should heed that warning, which is why this amendment is essential.” 

Sherrill’s amendment would require the consent of the chief executives of both the sending state and the receiving state should the President request National Guard units under Title 32. In 2020, under a nefarious interpretation of the law by Attorney General Bill Barr, the Trump Administration utilized 11 out-of-state National Guard units to suppress protests in Washington, D.C. – contrary to the restrictions of the Posse Comitatus Act and against the express consent of the Mayor of Washington.

Sherrill has introduced this amendment every year since 2020. It has been included and passed by a House Democratic majority in previous NDAAs but not in final conference committee legislation that has passed Congress. This year, the MAGA Republican majority refused to allow a vote or debate on the amendment. 

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