Dear Editor,
Trump has unleashed the dogs of war, and the Vermont National Guard has been deployed to the Middle East under federal rules, with F-35 fighters from Vermont having been positioned for attack and now likely in play.
The Defend the Guard Act, introduced in the Vermont House by Rep. Troy Headrick, I-Burlington, would prohibit the Guard from being deployed to combat unless Congress has declared war. Not only would the bill protect the Guard from being placed into combat to fight an unconstitutional war, but it would also preserve their availability for emergencies here at home.
Many veterans and service members nationwide have expressed support for restoring congressional war-powers oversight, with candidates vying to lead the Vermont National Guard saying they’d resign if facing an unlawful order. The Defend the Guard Act would ensure that our Guard can only be deployed to participate in an armed conflict when Congress has used its constitutional power to declare war. This power resides solely with Congress, not the White House.
This act needs the support of your representative in the Vermont House.
Doris Tennant
Brattleboro, Vt.
