I question whether he has authority to do so (not that that would stop him). The Constitution gives rather specific direction as to the militia of the various states and how to arm, supply and train. This seems rather hokey.
I believe rjsimmon has a very valid point!
Article I, Section 8 give CONGRESS the power to “provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States ...”
The President is NOT empowered to arm or disarm the Militia, or what we call today the National Guard. If he wants to treat the National Guard as just another subdivision of the Army, then call them the Army and be done with it and leave the Militia to the States. Time to consider a divorce.
Then again, I don’t believe the President should have command of the military unless and until war (or something like it) is declared.
Again, Article I, Section 8 gives CONGRESS the power to “make Rules for the Governing and Regulation of the land and naval forces;” The President gets to play commander-in-chief only when a commander is required, not for day-to-day governance. That job belongs to Congress.
Guess that’s why our out-of-control tinpot wants his own army.