The Republican governor of Florida is setting up his own state militia

 

The Republican governor of Florida has announced plans to create a state militia of trained civilians who are "unencumbered by the federal government," according to The Times.

Ron DeSantis said that the Florida State Guard, which will report solely on him, will be a 200-member civilian military unit to support emergency response efforts in the event of natural disasters and unspecified "other state emergencies."

He has already requested $ 3.5 million from the local budget to recruit, train and equip members as part of a military budget proposal.

  Florida created the State Guard in 1941 to fill the void left by the National Guard - which comes under both state and federal control - that was sent to the fronts of World War II. It was dissolved in 1947.

According to DeSantis, this formation will give him "the flexibility and ability needed to respond to events in our state in the most effective way possible."

"The rebuilding of the Florida State Guard will allow civilians across the state to be trained in the best emergency response techniques and have the ability to mobilize very, very quickly," he added.

  DeSantis, who faces re-election in 2022 and is considered a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2024, has been heavily criticized by his Democratic rivals.

"No governor should have their own secret police of choice," said Congressman Charlie Christ, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor.

U.S. Sen. Annette Tadeo, who is also running for governor, said DeSantis "wants to be a dictator and is trying to make his own move for his own militia, as we have seen in Cuba."

  The states have the power to create their own defenses. Florida will become the 23rd state with such, joining a list that includes not only Texas, but also the highly liberal California and New York.

However, the governor pledged additional aid to the Florida National Guard on Thursday, including a $ 100 million increase in funding that will create new weapons depots and a new headquarters for the anti-drug program.

  His comments about a US military force that the federal government cannot control come after billionaire Ray Dalio predicted a 30 percent chance of US civil war in the next ten years due to "emotional" political polarization.