Isaac Evans-Frantz, director of Action Corps said today: “A growing bipartisan movement across the United States is advancing state legislation known as the Defend the Guard Act, to prohibit a state’s National Guard from being deployed into overseas combat unless Congress has formally authorized the conflict, as required under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.”

At a recent Vermont State House press event, after confirmation that the Vermont Air National Guard took part in attacks on both Venezuela and Iran this year, he said: “The Vermont National Guard is needed here at home to fight fires here, not be starting fires halfway around the world.” Evans-Frantz added: “In recent years, Defend the Guard bills have been introduced in a majority of states, and the bill has passed the New Hampshire House, Arizona Senate, Virginia House of Delegates, and Idaho Senate. The proposal has drawn support from an unusual coalition of veterans, families of National Guard members, constitutional scholars, peace advocates, and civil libertarians who argue that it protects both service members and democratic accountability.

“The U.S. is well into another undeclared war in Iran, and Congress is sitting on its hands. This is about upholding the Constitution, defending Guard members, and protecting civilians around the world.” 

Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, said: “I am outraged by President Trump’s deployment of the Vermont Air National Guard to war on Iran, right after he deployed the Vermont Guard to attack Venezuela. The president has absolutely no right to use members of the Vermont Guard for his war of choice, and the Vermont House of Representatives should immediately hold a hearing on the Vermont Defend the Guard Act (H.355). With Congress failing to uphold the Constitution, Vermont must step in. 

 “The Constitution grants Congress — and Congress alone — the power to declare war. Congress never voted to attack Venezuela. Congress never voted to attack Iran.” 

Sylvie Desautels (of Tunbridge, Vermont), a family member of Vermont National Guardsmen, said: “I have two grand nephews in the Vermont National Guard who are deployed. Both are in their early twenties. It’s a really scary time for the members of our Guard. What President Trump has done with the Vermont Guard is unconscionable, sending them into harm’s way for a war that Congress never agreed to.”