[Leaning Right]

Yes, a governor can call up his state’s National Guard. But I think only the president can “federalize” the Guard.

And that would lead to an interesting situation. Suppose the Virginia governor activates the Guard to confiscate guns. Then President Trump federalizes the Guard, and tells them to stand down. Then what?

I think the Guard stands down. The president as commander-in-chief outranks any state governor.

[Thunder 6]

The Governor can call the Guard to State Active Duty, but the President can mobilize them to Active Federal Service, thereby removing them from state control. It’s been done before during the Civil Rights Era. They can be sent to barracks, or held at their mobilization station under Federal control.

[DoughtyOne]

I’d love to see their called up guard federalized, with orders to arrest those who forced this situation, starting with the governor on down, then prosecuted on civil rights charges.

[piytar]

Several governors have tried this in the past. See some of the other posts on this thread. It’s clear: the President’s orders control.

[Svartalfiar]

And that would lead to an interesting situation. Suppose the Virginia governor activates the Guard to confiscate guns. Then President Trump federalizes the Guard, and tells them to stand down. Then what?

The Guard is stood up. The President can only involuntarily federalize the Guard under limited circumstances. Any time I go on any kind of active duty (Title 10/32), My orders start with: "With permission of the governor of Texas, you are ordered to..."