Georgia lawmakers urge Governor Kemp to recall National Guard from D.C

A group of Georgia state legislators, including several veterans, has issued a formal request to Governor Brian Kemp to bring National Guard soldiers home from Washington, D.C. before the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

The lawmakers cited significant concerns regarding the mental and physical health of service members and their families. They noted that prolonged operational separation increases the risk of chronic stress, anxiety, and clinical depression for both the soldiers and their spouses and children.

The request follows a safety incident on October 18, 2026, in which a National Guard member was shot in Washington, D.C., while responding to an operational confrontation. The legislators argued that extended deployments without a clear exit strategy create unsustainable psychological and physical strain.