Ron DeSantis plans Florida paramilitary force outside federal control

I have not heard of terrible things happening in the other 22 states with a state guard.

'“Re-establishing the Florida state guard will allow civilians from all over the state to be trained in the best emergency response techniques and have the ability to mobilize very, very quickly,” DeSantis said on Thursday.

Florida would become the 23rd state with a state guard, according to the governor’s office.

The proposal has been sharply criticized by Democrats, who accused DeSantis of authoritarian motives.'

Edit: "It’s Different When Ron DeSantis Does It: CNN Edition" https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/its-different-when-ron...

This seems rather sensationalist and overwrought. California has had a State Guard for many years. As far as I know, no governor has misused it to attack political enemies or implement authoritarian rule.

And a State Guard is literally a military force, not paramilitary. It's a military agency of the State and members are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Except that Wikipedia says the California State Guard is affiliated with and follows US Military guidelines. I got the impression that Florida would not want any such affiliation whatsoever... "State Police" comes to mind as a preexisting force that could be expanded into a disaster recovery group without overtones.

Or, to be historically correct, they could continue the 2nd Amendment approach and call it a well-regulated militia.

While Russia takes Crimea, China takes Taiwan, Florida can take Cuba.