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The new commander of the Oklahoma State Army and Air National Guard said he will refuse to implement the Biden administration’s authorization for the military’s COVID-19 vaccine.
The Department of Defense (DoD) ordered all military personnel to be vaccinated against the virus earlier this year, extending deadline The National Guard must be vaccinated by June 30, 2022.However, Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt send A formal request to prevent the Oklahoma National Guard from performing its mission to the Department of Defense on November 2.
On Wednesday, Stitt appointed Brigadier General Thomas Mancino as the state’s new deputy general and commander of the National Guard.Mancino, not yet confirmed by Oklahoma Senate Upon request, a memo was immediately issued stating that he would not perform this task, which he called “irresponsible.”
President Joe Biden Is the commander-in-chief American armies As the current president of the country. However, Mancino insisted that as long as the army is not deployed in the Federation, Stitt, not Biden, is the commander-in-chief of the state’s National Guard.
Mancino had no authority until he was confirmed by the State Senate. He ordered the Oklahoma National Guard to ignore this authorization when deployed in Oklahoma, but to comply with the authorization during federal deployment.
Mancino wrote in the memo: “I hereby order that no guards in Oklahoma are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, despite any other federal requirements.” “Oklahoma Command will continue to comply with the Department of Defense The policy deals with federal vaccine exemptions.”
“In addition, no negative administrative or legal actions will be taken against guards who refuse to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” he added. “Additional implementation policies may be introduced soon.”
Although the governors do control the National Guard in their states, and the troops are not deployed by the federal government, these troops are funded by the federal government.neglect PentagonAlthough the legal situation is not completely clear, its vaccine authorization may trigger a series of events, leading to the withdrawal of funds.
Air Force Major Matthew Murphy, spokesperson for the National Guard, Tell Military) star badges and armbands Mancino’s memo is a “legal gray area that must be reviewed by our lawyers.”
Major General Michael Thompson, former lieutenant general and National Guard commander of Oklahoma, Tell KOKH said he had no reason for being fired and learned of Mancino’s appointment on Wednesday Twitter.
The press secretary of the Department of Defense John Kirby said in a statement: “We are aware of the memorandum issued by the deputy general of Oklahoma on vaccinating guards against COVID and the letter from the governor requesting an exemption.” Weekly newspaper“We will respond appropriately to the governor.”
“That means, secretary [of Defense Lloyd] Austin believes that a vaccinated force is a more prepared force,” Kirby added. “That’s why he ordered mandatory vaccines for the entire force, including our National Guard, they provide domestic Made a significant contribution to foreign national missions. “
