I led National Guard and regular Army units. Using the military to intimidate Americans is 100% wrong

Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.) Fox News June 19, 2025

For over 35 years, I served our nation in both the regular Army and National Guard. I served as both a part-time citizen soldier and full-time Title 10 officer after being mobilized in September 2001. In my career, I’ve had the distinct honor to lead both active duty and National Guard organizations, as well as soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. 

I have also stood in Red Square in Moscow, Tiananmen Square in China and the edge of the DMZ in North Korea. I have seen how some countries focus significant portions of their military inside their own nations to implement domestic policies and maintain control.  

Two weeks ago – in a series of actions that brought us a little closer to that reality – the president sent the National Guard to America’s second-largest city over the objections of the state’s governor. Almost immediately after, he ordered active-duty Marines to go to the city. And on June 14, we saw service members ride tanks and march in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army.