By April Ryan

Amid the fight over potentially placing the National Guard in cities with diverse populations where Black mayors lead, the governors have the right to request the deployment of the National Guard.

According to the U.S. Code, Title 32, governors are the commanders-in-chief of the state or territory’s militia. Maryland Governor Wes Moore reinforced this by saying, “I am the commander-in-chief!” Maryland’s first Black governor said he would only allow presidential National Guard deployment if it is “mission critical” and “mission aligned.”

Chicago’s Governor, J.B. Pritzker, also resounded “no” to President Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard in Chicago. Title 32 states that Guard members are under the governor’s command, but the federal government funds their duties.

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