Retired military leaders back 18 governors over National Guard refusal

https://www.axios.com/2026/07/02/retired-military-leaders-back-18-governors-over-national-guard-refusal

Updated Jul 1, 2026 - Politics & Policy

Retired military leaders back 18 governors over National Guard refusal

Justin Kaufmann

National Guard soldiers in camouflage stand at a crosswalk in front of a large office building with a banner reading, "Imagine what we can accomplish in the next 250 years." — Members of the National Guard block off a street outside the Great American State Fair at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 29. Photo: Tyler M. Andrews/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Nineteen former military and defense officials praised Democratic governors who declined to send National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., for this weekend's America 250 celebration in a letter Wednesday.

Why it matters: The endorsements add weight to Democratic governors' argument that National Guard deployments for the celebration could be viewed as serving political rather than traditional security purposes.

The latest: The group sent letters thanking Democratic governors who declined to deploy Guard members for this weekend's celebration.

What they're saying: "Over the past 250 years, a non-partisan military has been a bedrock of American democracy," the former national security leaders wrote to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. "Your abstention from the D.C. deployment is an honorable tribute to those who founded our nation and the men and women in uniform who have fought to defend it ever since."

The group sent similar letters to 16 other Democratic governors, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, as well as one Republican, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.
"Notwithstanding good faith intentions to support the celebration of American history, sending troops to D.C. in the present context is instead likely to undermine force morale and readiness, civil-military relations, and the rule of law," the letter says.
"President Trump has attempted to deploy military troops against peaceful American communities, politicize the brave men and women serving in the National Guard, and use America 250 as his own political project," a spokesperson for Gov Pritzker's office tells Axios.

The other side: "Dumocrats are opposed to anything that celebrates the greatness of our Country because they are America Last losers," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in an emailed statement.

"President Trump is ensuring that America gets the spectacular birthday it deserves. The celebration of America's 250th anniversary is going to display great patriotism in our Nation's Capital and throughout the country, and the President is proud to participate in our historic semiquincentennial celebrations."

The big picture: The dispute has expanded beyond the America 250 celebration into a broader debate over whether National Guard deployments are being used for political purposes.

While several Democratic governors refused requests outright, others initially agreed to send Guard members for the anniversary celebration before reconsidering after those troops were seen assisting Trump's anti-crime initiative.

Yes, but: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is threatening to withdraw the Guard troops the state sent to D.C., saying the state agreed to support the anniversary celebration, not broader law enforcement operations.

"If the National Guard is unable or unwilling to ensure the Michigan National Guard is only supporting the America 250 Mission ... then I will end Michigan's support for the America 250 mission," Whitmer wrote in a letter to the head of the Michigan National Guard.

Reality check: Interstate National Guard deployments are routine for major national events, including political conventions, presidential inaugurations and large sporting events.

The dispute is over whether Guard members are being used exclusively for the anniversary celebration or for broader Trump administration priorities.

Zoom out: The celebration has already become politically divisive, with some states declining to participate in the Great American State Fair and several performers withdrawing from events on the National Mall.

The bottom line: The retired leaders' letter gives Democratic governors additional support as disputes over National Guard deployments threaten to overshadow the America 250 celebration.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from the White House and from Gov. Pritzker's office.