Idaho Governor Little says lieutenant governor tried to deploy National Guard to border without permission

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“Before even leaving the state, the lieutenant governor shamelessly requested information from the adjutant general to deploy our National Guard at the border, the same location I am visiting today to work with my fellow Republican governors on solutions to the crisis, “said Little noted in a statement posted on Twitter. He traveled to Texas to meet with nine other governors to discuss border security and take a boat trip on the Rio Grande River.
The Idaho Constitution says that in the event that the governor leaves the state, the lieutenant governor takes control of the governor’s “powers, duties and emoluments” until the governor returns.

CNN contacted the Idaho National Guard and McGeachin’s office for comment, but did not receive a response immediately. It was not clear whether any agency had acted or followed McGeachin’s initiatives.

Also on Tuesday, McGeachin tweeted that she “fixed” Little’s executive order banning vaccine passports to include a ban on schools, colleges, and universities from requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test.

“I will continue to fight for your individual freedom! Said the lieutenant governor.

Eight minutes later, Little tweeted: “I will undo and undo all actions taken by the Lieutenant Governor upon my return.”

The dispute is the latest episode in an ongoing political skirmish between the two main leaders of the state. Little, who was first elected in 2018, has yet to say whether he will run again, but ahead of next year’s Republican primary McGeachin has sought to establish herself as the wing champion. Trump of the party while trying to paint Little as an establishment figure.

Following Little’s stay-at-home order at the start of the pandemic last year, McGeachin wrote in an op-ed: “I lose sleep at night because our government’s heavy hand is hurting so much. Idahoans. ” In May, McGeachin issued an executive order banning mask warrants when Little was unaware and was out of town, which Little later repealed.

“The action that took place was an irresponsible and self-serving political coup,” Little said at the time. “Seizing the first opportunity to act in a solitary manner on a highly politicized and polarizing issue without conferring with local jurisdictions, lawmakers and the sitting governor is, in simple terms, an abuse of power. “

CNN’s Devan Cole contributed to this report.



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