Guard chief says state deployments will soon double for COVID-19 response

The head of the U.S. National Guard said today more than 2,000 troops have been activated across 27 states to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, though he expects that number to double by the weekend and, possibly, culminate in "tens of thousands" deployed around the country.

"It's hard to tell what the exact requirement will be," Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told reporters at the Pentagon. "This could quickly blossom in the next couple of weeks."

Though Defense Secretary Mark Esper recently said there have been discussions to federalize the National Guard under control of the president, Lengyel said he is advising against it and is unaware of plans to do so.

"That would not make sense in this situation," he said.

Lengyel said guard forces are better suited to remain under the command of state governors who understand the unique disaster-response needs of their states.

He also said guard troops, if put under direct control of the president, cannot operate in a law enforcement capacity to assist state authorities because of laws barring federal forces from enforcing civilian laws.

"They're much better used in a state status under command and control of the governors," Lengyel said.