Domestic deployment of the National Guard

Under the command and control of state and territorial governors, the National Guard has a long history of saving lives, protecting property, and maintaining public order. But a growing number of governors have been deploying National Guard units beyond the normal and customary scope of domestic missions, stretching personnel and their families thin. From enforcing federal immigration policy at the U.S.-Mexico border to patrolling the New York City transportation system, these state or privately funded deployments risk politicizing the National Guard and national security more broadly.  

On April 29, Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution and Count Every Hero held a panel discussion with former senior military and defense officials about the recent surge in non-federal National Guard deployments and what that means for the United States military and the 2024 election. 

Viewers submitted questions for speakers by emailing [email protected] or via X (formerly Twitter) at @BrookingsGov by using #NationalGuardUse. 

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