OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis has rejected a request to deploy some of the state’s National Guard members to Washington, D.C., ahead of Tuesday’s planned State of the Union Address.
DeSantis took to Twitter to announce that President Joe Biden issued a request for governors to deploy members of the National Guard from their respective states.
The Florida governor said he rejected the request.
“Last week, the Biden Administration requested the assistance of State National Guards to deploy to Washington D.C. I have rejected this request — there will be no @FLGuard sent to D.C. for Biden’s State of the Union,” DeSantis tweeted.
Last week, the Biden Administration requested the assistance of State National Guards to deploy to Washington D.C. I have rejected this request — there will be no @FLGuard sent to D.C. for Biden’s State of the Union.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 28, 2022
According to a report from NBC Washington, around 700 National Guard troops have been activated ahead of Biden’s address and a possible trucker convoy that may arrive in the nation’s capital.
“The other 300 Guard personnel are from outside D.C. and have also been approved upon requests from U.S. Capitol Police. Such personnel include approximately 100 Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers, 100 New Jersey National Guard troops and about 80 West Virginia National Guard members who will support security operations within Washington starting later this week,” the outlet reported.
“The request was activated as of 1 p.m. and is approved to continue throughout 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 7. Neither approval allows troops’ use of helicopters or other aircraft by the National Guard or the sharing of equipment with law enforcement agencies. They will also not carry firearms or take part in law enforcement or domestic-surveillance activities,” the outlet added.
It was also announced on Monday that mask-wearing is now optional for Biden’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
“The Washington DC region is now in the ‘green level’ or low level in this new CDC schema allowing for reduction in coronavirus prevention measures such as coronavirus testing frequency and indoor mask wear,” U.S. Capitol physician Brian P. Monahan said.
“COVID19 layered protection measures such as vaccination emphasis, and daily home health screening inventory prior to coming to work should continue,” he added.
News: Capitol physician says in an update to staff that masks are now optional at the Capitol, which extends to Biden's State of the Union address on Tuesday @axios https://t.co/rdWBEvhgGP
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) February 27, 2022
This comes on the heels of a new survey finding that half of those surveyed by Rasmussen think Biden should be impeached from office.
And what’s more, almost as many surveyed think that’s what Republicans will do if the party wins back control of the House in the 2022 midterms.
“A new national telephone and an online survey by Rasmussen Reports and The National Pulse finds that 50% of Likely U.S. voters support the impeachment of Biden, including 33% who Strongly Support it. Forty-five percent (45%) are opposed to impeaching Biden, including 33% who Strongly Oppose it,” Rasmussen reported.
If Biden were to get impeached, he would face trial in what could be a GOP-controlled Senate after the midterms.
The survey comes amid a dramatic shift in approval ratings for both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris over their first year in office.
In early December, for instance, an I&I/TIPP poll found that barely one-third of Democrat respondents want Biden to run for re-election.
“But only 8% of independents and other non-major party voters also want Biden back as Democratic standard-bearer,” TIPP noted.
“And 10% want Harris, not Biden. For Biden, that suggests near non-existent support among independents, the swing voters who make up a third or more of all those who go to the polls each election,” the survey added.
“Even Democrats seem less than enthused about Biden holding the top spot. Just 37% want him there,” the poll revealed.
“And only 16% give Harris the nod as presidential standard-bearer, alarming given that Vice President Harris is next in line to be president should Biden not complete his term in office,” the survey continued
