Over the last week, StateDefenseForce.com has reached out to various media outlets regarding their coverage of recent protests, the unprecedented activation of the California National Guard under Title 10 status without the Governor’s consent, and similar developments unfolding across other states and cities in America.
Our primary mission has been to correct articles that misidentify the California National Guard as the California State Guard—or, in some cases, refer to the National Guard simply as the “State Guard.” Many journalists are unaware that California has a separate military branch within the California Military Department known as the California State Guard. Unlike the National Guard, this force cannot be federalized by the President. Under federal law 32 U.S.C. §109, the State Guard—also known as a State Defense Force—reports solely to the Governor, who serves as its Commander-in-Chief.
We’ve observed this misclassification in numerous media articles and government editorials. Accordingly, we have contacted the relevant outlets and authors to request corrections and clarifications. Some of the cases we have addressed include:
CNN
Segment: “All of Downtown Los Angeles Has Been Declared an Unlawful Assembly Area”
By: Juliette Kayyem, Senior National Security Analyst
Watch
Dispute: The segment suggests the “State National Guard” is collaborating with local law enforcement. We are seeking clarification on whether the commentator is referring to the California State Guard or the California National Guard under the Governor’s command.
Democracy Docket
Article: “Fuel on the Fire: Trump’s National Guard Memo Goes Far Beyond California”
By: Jacob Knutson
Read
Dispute: The article states that “Trump may attempt to activate other state Guard for military-assisted crackdowns,” which may mislead readers into thinking the President has authority over State Guards like the California State Guard.
LegalEagle
Video: “Trump Hijacks National Guard in LA”
Watch
Dispute: The host discusses how the President’s activation of National Guard troops leaves states vulnerable to emergencies like wildfires. We are reaching out to highlight that many states, including California, have State Defense Forces/State Guards that can augment these missions.
One reporter also noted that placing National Guard troops on 60-day federal active duty could hinder their availability for state missions such as wildfire response. Historically, the California State Guard played a role in wildfire operations through Task Force Rattlesnake. However, since the appointment of Major General Matthew P. Beevers as Adjutant General and the leadership transition involving former State Guard Commanding Officer Colonel (CA) Darrin Bender, California State Guard participation in these missions has significantly declined.
We are in communication with The California Governors Office to see if The California State Guard has been activated, or is fulfilling State Missions that The California National Guard have been pulled away from due to The Federalization of The California National Guard under The President.
We plan to continue coordinating with media outlets to promote accurate reporting and raise awareness that State Defense Forces provide Governors with essential capabilities—particularly when their National Guard units are federalized and unavailable for state emergencies.
If you are a member of the media and would like to clarify the differences between the California National Guard and the California State Guard—as well as gain a better understanding of State Guards and State Defense Forces nationwide—please feel free to contact us at jean@statedefenseforce.com
