Trump orders US troops back to active duty for coronavirus response
By Marty Johnson - 03/28/20 08:25 AM EDT
President Trump signed an executive order on Friday that allows the Pentagon to mobilize former U.S. troops and members of the National Guard to help supplement troops already being used to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Trump's order allows the heads of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Homeland Security to recall up to 1 million reserve members to active duty for up to 24 months.
"The Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Homeland Security, as applicable, will ensure appropriate consultation is undertaken with relevant state officials with respect to the utilization of National Guard Reserve Component units activated under this authority," Trump's order states.
“Generally, these members will be persons in Headquarters units and persons with high demand medical capabilities whose call-up would not adversely affect their civilian communities,†Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement, according to The Washington Post.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/489965-trump-orders-us-troops-back-to-active-duty-for-coronavirus-response