Slotkin, Kelly Demand Transparency from National Guard, Pentagon on “Quick Reaction Force” 

“This administration must make clear that our troops will not be used to interfere with Americans’ lives or to meet some political end.” 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) demanded answers from the Department of Defense and the National Guard Bureau after President Trump signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to make National Guard troops available nationwide to assist law enforcement with civil disturbances and public safety. The order also establishes a Quick Reaction Force capable of deploying rapidly anywhere in the country. 

“The memo provides no clarity on whether this force would operate under state or federal authorities, or whether they operate under a dual-status commander. The distinction is critical and legally consequential to preventing the National Guard from being used to abuse the constitutional or civil rights of Americans or to circumvent existing legal limitations,” wrote the senators in a letter to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Mark Ditlevson and National Guard Bureau Chief General Steven Nordhaus.  

“This administration must make clear that our troops will not be used to interfere with Americans’ lives or to meet some political end. The use of military personnel in connection with elections raises additional legal concerns, including the risk of violating federal restrictions on troops at polling places, interference with election officials, and voter intimidation,” added the senators. “Assistant Secretary Ditlevson, you have acknowledged this risk and so has Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Caine in responses to Congressional inquiries; and the Department of Defense has confirmed repeatedly that no election threat exists that would require federal forces to secure polling places.”  

The senators requested a response by October 28, 2026, pressing for answers on: 

1. The mission, command structure, and legal authorities of the National Guard Quick Reaction Force (NGQRF) and National Guard Response Force (NGRF) 

1. How many troops are designated, where they are located, and who commands them  

1. What circumstances would trigger mobilization, and how governors would request or activate the forces  

1. How the forces are funded  

1. Whether the Department or the Guard has contemplated using the forces in response to an election-related civil disturbance, and for all training materials referencing elections  

1. Whether there are any plans to detail Guard troops to support DHS or DOJ law enforcement duties in the next 100 days  

1. What notice Congress would receive before or after any domestic deployment 

“The future of our democracy and the prosperity of the Americans we all serve depends on maintaining our military’s nonpartisan tradition,” the senators continued. “Given the risk for serious violations of law and Americans’ constitutional and civil rights, this letter seeks a clear explanation and documentation of the legal, operational, and command framework governing these two newly established National Guard response capabilities.” 

Read the full text of the letter here. 

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