Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has told Democrat President Joe Biden to go pound sand by rejecting his request to send the state’s National Guard soldiers to Washington D.C.
Biden called on Florida to deploy troops to the nation’s capital for his State of the Union speech.
“Last week, the Biden Administration requested the assistance of State National Guards to deploy to Washington D.C.,” DeSantis said today on social media.
“I have rejected this request — there will be no FLGuard sent to D.C. for Biden’s State of the Union.”
According to Fox13, “Last week, the Pentagon had approved the deployment of 700 unarmed National Guard troops to the nation’s capital as it prepares for trucker convoys that are planning protests against pandemic restrictions, in addition to Biden’s State of the Union address on March 1.
“Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the request Tuesday from the District of Columbia government and the U.S. Capitol Police, the Pentagon said in a statement Tuesday night.”
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
However, Biden has bigger things to worry about.
The Democrat president will need to explain to Americans why they are suffering from away runaway inflation while war is breaking out in Europe.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said today:
“The president will absolutely use the word inflation tomorrow and he will talk about inflation in his speech.
“Of course, that is a huge issue on the minds of Americans.”
One White House official said: “I’ve been doing this for long enough that I’m not going to make that prediction with more than 24 hours before the speech and final edits still going on.
“But the point stands that he will be talking about prices and cutting costs in a way to help working families.”
Amid multiple ongoing crises, both home and abroad, Biden will attempt to use his SOTU speech to try to bring back the failed $2 trillion Build Back Better Act.
Another White House official said:
“On Build Back Better, I think what you can expect the president to lay out tomorrow is how his plan, the ideas he’s put forward, lowers costs for families, can reduce the deficit, and say that it’s time for Congress to act.
“It’s time for Congress to get him a piece of legislation that addresses those core challenges for families right now.”
From CBS:
Members of Congress will no longer be required to wear masks while attending the State of the Union, reducing the likelihood of a potential standoff with Republicans lawmakers who were growing increasingly vocal in their opposition to face coverings.
In a Sunday night memo, Brian Monahan, Congress’ attending physician, said mask wearing “is now an individual choice option.”
The House sergeant at arms originally told members in a February 17 memo that attendees “must continuously wear an issued, FDA-authorized, KN95 or N95 mask that completely covers the nose and mouth.” Anyone who refused to comply could be removed from the event or fined, the memo said.
