Mark Kelly Questions DOD Official on Using US Cities as National Guard Training Grounds

National Guard Deployment and Training

• 📌 Senator Mark Kelly questioned General Guio regarding President Trump's suggestion to use "dangerous cities" as training grounds for the National Guard.
• ❓ Kelly specifically asked if there is an established DoD policy authorizing the use of civilian communities as training grounds or American citizens as training tools.
• 🚫 General Guio stated that there is no such DoD policy and no precedent in DoD history for conducting combat-oriented training in American communities.
• 👂 General Guio confirmed he has not been consulted nor directed to use any American cities for training, nor has Northcom designated any city as a training ground.

Perceptions of Civilian Population

• ⚠️ Kelly raised concerns that labeling a city as a training ground could inherently position civilians as adversaries or enemies.
• 🛡️ General Guio affirmed that under Title 10 control, service members are given clear training that their purpose is to protect federal buildings, not for other functions.
• 💬 He expressed confidence that civilians would not be viewed as adversaries within his chain of command due to clear guidance on mission objectives and de-escalation as a first step.

Defining Adversaries

• 🤝 General Guio stated that the military defends the United States and US citizens, and they do not view them as enemies.
• ⚖️ He acknowledged that while illegal activity might occur, and authorities may respond, the initial response to the hypothetical of regarding US citizens as adversaries is "no."