Letter: ‘Walz’s tough talk is a blatant attempt to deflect his complicity in the massive fraud in his state’

Camas resident Anna Miller reflects on the actions of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

If Governor Walz of Minnesota calls out the National Guard to interfere with Federal Law Enforcement, he should be arrested for an illegal act.

A governor cannot lawfully deploy a state National Guard to resist or interfere with federal law enforcement. The Constitution, federal supremacy, and multiple court rulings make such resistance illegal, and any attempt would be blocked by federal courts or overridden by presidential authority. Recent cases involving National Guard disputes reinforce this principle clearly.

The U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause makes federal law superior to state law. States cannot obstruct or resist federal officers executing federal law.

If a governor attempted to deploy the Guard to resist federal agents, the President could and should immediately federalize the Guard. This instantly strips the governor of command authority. Guard members must obey federal orders. Federal courts would issue injunctions.

Following an unlawful state order to obstruct federal law enforcement could expose them to federal criminal liability. The governor could face civil or criminal consequences. Obstructing federal officers is a federal crime.

The bottom line is that a governor has zero lawful authority to deploy the National Guard to resist federal law enforcement. Any attempt would be unconstitutional, overridden by presidential authority, and struck down by federal courts.

Walz’s tough talk is a blatant attempt to deflect his complicity in the massive fraud in his state. His ignorance astounds me.

Anna Miller
Camas resident