Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt argued that the Biden administration’s defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, overstepped his constitutional authority by subjecting the National Guard to the mandate, which applies to active-duty military members.
Guardsmen who refuse vaccination will not be able to participate in any drills or federal training, which could jeopardize their ability to stay in the military.
Austin’s decision was widely expected, since the Pentagon has argued for months that the vaccine is critical to maintaining a ready force that can deploy on a moment’s notice to protect the nation.
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press and Robert Burns, The Associated Press