On December 2nd, 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new funding proposal for Florida’s National Guard which would resurrect the Florida State Guard after being disbanded back in 1947. Florida wouldn’t be the first state to accomplish this since 22 other states have a state guard that are independent from the National Guard.

This Florida state defense force would function to help the National Guard during natural disasters such as hurricanes and other emergencies that could potentially happen in Florida, in addition they would also help people during such an event.

DeSantis states that this will “not be encumbered by the federal government” meaning that this state defense would be under the command of the governor. They won’t follow orders of the federal government, nor would they be sent to any missions under the command of the federal government.

Furthermore, this group would not receive any funding from the national government and will receive all its funding from the state government. DeSantis has stated that he wants to use $3.5 million of the $100 million budget proposal to fund the state guard.

The state guard itself will be made up of about 200 volunteers. “The $3.5 million to establish the Florida State Guard will enable civilians to be trained in the best emergency response techniques,” stated DeSantis.

Originally, the first Florida State Guard was established in 1941, during World War II to replace members of the National Guard that were serving overseas during the war. It was disbanded years later, in 1947, after the war ended.

Critics have mixed feelings on DeSantis purpose of bringing back this state defense force. Some agree with the idea of bringing this force back while others disagree with the idea of DeSantis having such power over this military force. Representative Charlie Crist, who represents Florida’s 13th district in congress, states “No Governor should have his own handpicked secret police”.