Not at his whim. The Governor must initiate the request to federalize, or concur with it. Remember this is what delayed Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina, the Governor refused to started the federalization request.
This also hindered Trump in responding to antifa and blm violence …State governors refusing federalization. Ultimately Trump and AG Barr deployed some State Guard assets by swearing the men in as Federal Marshals. In other cases ( Hogan MD) Governor consented only to defined limited role for Guard units.
Now I’m confused again. Awhile back I was reading about the Little Rock, Arkansas school desegregation incident. The governor of Arkansas supported the segregationists. Eisenhower stepped in and federalized the Arkansas Guard without the governor’s permission.
Perhaps some law was changed after that incident, giving governors more control.
DJT is CIC. Only the CIC, not a fake bidAn, can unfederalize.
For those that look at military aircraft movements, this is proven DAILY, with NG of one state operating in other states. When not federalized, NG units operate within their respective state.
Now we know, the Democrats released the hounds so it'll be easier for them to win the election in 2020. It was an effective strategy.
The Democrats are trying the same strategy this time with pro-Hamas protests. But the American public is tuning out this time.