Ex‑military leaders urge governors to limit National Guard use for America 250 celebration

A group of retired national security leaders sent letters to Democratic governors praising their decision not to deploy National Guard troops for the America 250th celebration, arguing such deployments would undermine force morale, readiness, and civil-military norms. The issue highlights broader partisan tensions over Guard use, with Michigan threatening to pull its support if Guard involvement extends beyond the anniversary, while the White House defends the celebration and counters the criticisms.