Georgia lawmakers urge Gov. Kemp to bring home National Guard soldiers before the holidays

ATLANTA – A group of state lawmakers with military backgrounds have petitioned Gov. Brian Kemp to bring home Georgia’s National Guard soldiers from Washington, D.C. before the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays.  

State Representatives Sandra Scott (D-Rex); Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain); Eric Bell (D-Jonesboro); Derrick Jackson (D-Tyrone); and Floyd Griffin (D-Milledgeville); along with State Senators Kenya Wicks (D-Fayette); and Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia) cited recent safety concerns involving a National Guard member who was shot in Washington D.C. while responding to an operational confrontation on Oct. 18. The legislators also expressed their  concern about the mounting anxiety from soldiers prolonged separation from their families. 

The lawmakers issued the following statement: 

“Drawing on our own military backgrounds, we are deeply concerned about the mounting human toll of this prolonged mission. We believe the physical and mental health of our soldiers and their families must be a top priority. Prolonged operational separation significantly increases the risk of chronic stress, anxiety and clinical depression, which impacts not only the deployed service members but also the emotional and mental well-being of their spouses and children left behind.

“As United States Army, Navy and Air Force veterans, we know firsthand the heavy mental and physical weight that extended deployments place on a soldier. These men and women have answered the call to serve faithfully. But after more than a year away, the strain on their mental wellness and family stability is becoming too great. They have missed birthdays, anniversaries and milestones that can never be replaced. With the holidays approaching, we are calling on the state to address the psychological cost of this continued separation.

“The urgency of our request is compounded by recent safety concerns. On October 18, 2026, a National Guard member was shot in Washington D.C., while responding to an operational confrontation. Although the injured service member’s state affiliation remains unconfirmed, the incident highlights the unpredictable physical dangers faced by personnel on street patrol duties. We believe placing our troops in high-stress, hazardous environments without a clearly defined exit strategy increases mental fatigue and physical vulnerability, creating an unsustainable burden on our service members and their families.

“We are calling on Gov. Kemp to secure the return of these personnel before Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, or no later than Christmas. Specifically, we are asking the governor to outline a clear withdrawal timeline, clarify the safety measures in place and identify supportive resources to protect the mental health and economic stability of families experiencing prolonged separation.

“This is not a partisan issue; it is a family and health issue. We can support our troops and respect military duty while still demanding answers about why hundreds of Georgia citizens remain separated from their support networks. Our National Guard members are vital to our local communities, disaster readiness and family systems right here in Georgia. We must ensure they are taken care of physically and emotionally.

“We have requested a written response from the governor within 10 business days detailing the steps his administration will take to safely reunite these soldiers with their families before the holiday season.”