“Not only is it older, the states command far more resources and manpower than the executive.”
The many states can, if needed, cut off the flow of money to the feds, thereby strangling the fed into submission! Simply call a statewide moratorium on paying taxes to the fed!! And craft state laws that protect those who would come under fire by the feds to take it!
True it would work but a tax revolt would be illegal.
Refusing to enforce or even using force to prevent enforcement of an attempt to subvert the amendment process - well that would be the FED committing an illegal act.
AZ does have a scrappy state guard but unfortunately is surrounded by stinking blue turds.
If Texas joins with Florida in opposing fed power grabs then smaller states stand a chance.
The SCOTUS can honk and fart and make weenie noises but if a governor has a serious 100k posse comitatus enforcing state law the fed simply doesn’t have the resources to enforce compliance even with regular military.