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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Richard Luscombe in Miami

State guard set up by DeSantis is being trained as personal militia, veterans say

Ron DeSantis and wife Casey waving at supporters
The state guard was created by Ron DeSantis as ‘an emergency focused, civilian defense force’ in June 2022. Photograph: Reba Saldanha/AP

A Florida state guard established by the rightwing governor, Ron DeSantis, under the guise of a civilian disaster relief force is instead being trained as an armed, combat-ready militia under his personal command, according to military veteran recruits who have quit the program.

Several veterans resigned after an encampment last month having become concerned at the “militaristic” training and “abuse” one disabled veteran suffered at the hands of instructors, according to an investigation by the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times.

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