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A dispute between Oklahoma’s governor and the Pentagon over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate is setting up the first critical test of the military’s authority to require National Guard troops to get the shot, and laying the groundwork for potential protests from other states.<\/p>\n
Acting on an order from Gov. Kevin Stitt, Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino, the state’s adjutant general, advised troops that they aren\u2019t required to get the shot and \u201cno negative administrative or legal action\u201d would be taken against them if they refuse.<\/p>\n
Stitt has asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to consider suspending the mandate for members of the Oklahoma Guard.<\/p>\n
David sends us an update.<\/p>\n
Jennifer Steinhauer<\/strong><\/p>\n WASHINGTON \u2014 A standoff between the governor of Oklahoma and the Pentagon over a coronavirus vaccine mandate for troops has turned into a stormy test of federal power, as President Joe Biden moves to require vaccinations for a broad swath of the American workforce.<\/p>\n Oklahoma\u2019s newly appointed adjutant general for the National Guard, Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, announced last week on behalf of Gov. Kevin Stitt that guardsmen in the state would not be required to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The policy defies a Pentagon directive issued in August that makes vaccination mandatory for all troops, including the National Guard, by deadlines set by each service branch.<\/p>\n \u201cThe order I issued came directly from the governor. That is the lawful order to the men and women of the Oklahoma National Guard,\u201d Mancino said in an interview, adding that he had been vaccinated.<\/p>\n Pentagon officials said Wednesday that failure to follow \u201cvalid medical readiness requirements\u201d could \u201cjeopardize\u201d the status of service members, who could face dismissal or other punishment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The legalities get murky in a hurry, and other red states are watching closely. Thanks, David.<\/p>\n Yahoo<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"