Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday said President Donald Trump rejected her request to fully fund the National Guard and provide Guard members with federal pay and benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, a move she said would cost American lives.
“The president’s blatantly partisan cuts to funding for National Guard units in all but five states is dangerous and could cost American lives,” Whitmer wrote in a statement per WNEM.
“Our Guard members have been vital to our COVID-19 response by testing thousands of people in communities across the state during the height of the pandemic, and will be crucial to our recovery efforts moving forward.
“It's irresponsible and irrational to fully fund National Guard activities in some states but not others.”
The state will now be required to pay 25% of the National Guard’s cost.
Trump issued a memo in August to approve just 75% government funding for the National Guard through the end of 2020.
But Florida, Texas, Arizona, Connecticut, and California were exempt from the cut.
The National Governors Association had asked the president to extend federal funding and benefits, or Title 32 authority, expeditiously.
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