Slate Daily Feed What Next | The National Guard Is Asking Questions
Nov 17, 2025
Kat Lonsdorf, a news reporter at NPR, sheds light on the complexities faced by National Guard members during domestic deployments. She discusses their discomfort over vague missions, the reluctance to speak publicly due to community backlash, and the blurred lines between military and local law enforcement. Kat also explores the legal implications of these activations, the impact on Guard resources, and the considerations surrounding potential political ramifications as these tactics could affect future elections.
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Guard Members Are Visible But Silent
- National Guard members are publicly visible but often unwilling to speak about deployments.
- Deployment decisions feel rushed and members are grappling privately with their roles.
Guard Member Stops Talking About Service
- One Guard member now avoids mentioning military service to new acquaintances.
- They fear being assumed to support federal domestic deployments and prefer to stay private.
Law Limits Guard Role In Policing
- Under U.S. law, the military and National Guard broadly cannot perform domestic law enforcement.
- That legal boundary complicates measuring the deployments' effect on crime or deportations.