DeSantis opposes shifting air national guardsmen to Space Force

Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis sent a letter to the House and Senate Armed Services committees on Friday that expressed his disagreement with a Defense Department proposal to send hundreds of air national guard members to the Space Force.

The Department of Defense (DoD) sent Congress a proposal in March that would override the control state governors have over national guard units, so the DoD could send some guardsmen to the Space Force. A coalition of 48 bipartisan governors of states and U.S. territories sent a different letter to the Pentagon this week, outlining their disapproval of the DoD request.

DeSantis, who was not one of the state leaders to sign the letter, claimed the proposal would undermine a governor's ability to protect their states during emergency situations. Florida is frequently hit with heavy flooding during hurricane season, and he says national guard members are critical in dealing with the recovery process following natural disasters. 

“As a low-lying, storm-prone state, Florida is uniquely vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding that require significant, operationally ready logistics and disaster support, including from our National Guard units,” DeSantis wrote in the letter. “This legislative proposal weakens that guarantee and sidesteps the authority of the Governor to ensure Floridians are prepared and protected to address whatever domestic emergencies may arise, especially as we approach another hurricane season."

DeSantis said his state supports the Space Force, which has a major presence and operations in the state at the Patrick Space Force Base, per The Hill. But DeSantis said he could not send more people to protect the country from "foreign enemies" if communities are not safe at home.

The governor also claimed his state is under-resourced compared to other large states, but Florida has established a state guard to help supplement the national guard when needed.