Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement after the Rules Committee rejected an amendment she sponsored to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would repeal the provisions of Executive Order 14339 issued August 25, 2025 related to the creation of a standing National Guard quick reaction force available for rapid nationwide deployment for quelling civil disturbances. Rep. Balint’s amendment aimed to stop Trump’s use of the National Guard as a military reaction force against U.S. cities.

“The Trump Administration has manufactured an urgent crime crisis in DC, when there are no facts to support these claims, in order to justify creating a standing military reaction force through the National Guard. Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to blue cities he does not agree with is nothing more than a wannabe strongman stance, is not based in reality, and does not reflect the will of the people. I introduced an amendment to the NDAA to put an end to the increased military presence in DC and other cities, as well as Trump’s use of the National Guard as a standing, quick reaction force to be used against American citizens. Republicans in Congress fell in line with Trump once again and threw out the amendment. Congress cannot continue to allow Trump to wage war on American citizens, on American soil.”

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