Although in a 79-29 vote, lawmakers approved House Resolution 277, which discourages local units of government “from defunding or abolishing their local police departments, the resolution is non binding and decisions have not been finalized, Michigan Live reported.

Governor Whitmore requests that National Guardsmen continue to assist in Covid 19 efforts until the end of the year, without any specific mention of requesting the National Guard to help in restoring peace and order.

Governor Whitmer Calls on President Trump to Extend Michigan National Guard Through December 31 to Assist With COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2020
Media Contact: Press@Michigan.gov 

Governor Whitmer Calls on President Trump to Extend Michigan National Guard Through December 31 to Assist With COVID-19

Guard Members Would Continue Assisting Michiganders With Mobile Testing, Food and Medical Distribution

”Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting that the president authorize the use of Michigan National Guard forces through December 31, 2020. Title 32 authority, which allows Guard members to receive federal pay and benefits, was set to expire on August 21 due to a deadline set by the Trump Administration.

“The Michigan National Guard is a crucial part of the State’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Guard will be vital to our ongoing recovery as well,” said Governor Whitmer. “Beyond August 21, 2020, we will continue to require the Michigan National Guard to perform humanitarian missions across the state, such as helping run mobile screening facilities, testing, distributing food and medical supplies, ensuring resiliency of supply lines, disinfecting public spaces, and supporting public safety when required.”

In addition to allowing Michigan to fully utilize the National Guard for recovery and reopening efforts, the extension of Title 32 authority means that many Guard members will qualify for federal retirement and education benefits made available under the GI Bill.

“Since March, the men and women of the Michigan National Guard have stepped up to support the state’s response to COVID-19; this extension would allow us flexibility to continue our work with Governor Whitmer to protect our fellow Michiganders,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “The uncertain nature of this global pandemic makes the National Guard a critically important asset as we keep up the fight against COVID-19 together in the coming months.”

To view a copy of Governor Whitmer’s letter to President Trump, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor, and FEMA Region V Acting Administrator Kevin Sligh, below:

The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

L ANSING

Thank you for authorizing the use of Michigan National Guard forces under Title 32, U.S.C., Section 502(f) until August 21, 2020. With this assistance our state has made great strides in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have much more work to respond to and recover from this crisis.

I request that you authorize the use of Title 32 section 502(f) for ongoing activities through December 31, 2020. The Michigan National Guard is a crucial part of the State’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Guard will be vital to our ongoing recovery as well. Beyond August 21, 2020, we will continue to require the Michigan National Guard to perform humanitarian missions across the state, such as helping run mobile screening facilities, testing, distributing food and medical supplies, ensuring resiliency of supply lines, disinfecting public spaces, and supporting public safety when required.

I appreciate your continued partnership as we work to address the COVID-19 crisis. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer Governor

cc: Mark T. Esper, Secretary, Department of Defense; Peter T. Gaynor, Administrator, FEMA; Kevin M. Sligh, Acting Administrator, FEMA Region V

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