Oklahoma Governor Stitt wants state militia reinstated

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The governor wants to create a militia that would operate independently from the Oklahoma National Guard, but the head of the guard said he needs millions of taxpayer dollars.

Major General Thomas Mancino is the commander of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard. He presented the idea to a Senate panel evaluating agency budgets on Tuesday.

"Gov. Stitt came to me this year after looking at what he saw occur on the border in TX, where they routinely use their state guard, and asked me to take a look at reinstituting that," said Mancino.

Mancino is asking for $2.4 million to restart a state militia.

"There are two types of militias within the state the Constitution looks for; one is referred to as the regulated militia. That is me. That is the National Guard. This would be a state guard function."

Mancino said the group would be different from the Oklahoma National Guard.

Some senators called a state guard "highly controversial."

"I would have more than great and grave reservations talking about 2.4 million dollars for an unregulated militia state guard," said Senator Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa. "I'm almost appalled that it's even in this budget."

Sen. Goodwin said Oklahoma doesn't have any border issues and questioned if a state guard could have issues with other military units controlled by the federal government.

"When we talked about what they were doing in Texas, because what that resulted in was the federal government fighting against the state government," said Goodwin.

Sen. Goodwin also asked if there was a "threat" that needed to be taken care of.

"I'm not willing to tie this to a specific threat," said Mancino.

Senator Tom Woods (R-Westville) said the group could make a huge difference.

"I think it could be a very valuable asset for Oklahoma security moving forward," said Woods.

Mancino said he believes this would be an "opportunity" for the state of Oklahoma.

"It would provide soldiers and airmen who are highly trained, who have retired; I can bring them back in and use their expertise," said Mancino.

Mancino said he has not presented a formal plan to lawmakers.

We reached out to Governor Stitt's office for comment but did not hear back.