What is the Florida State Guard? Its reauthorization and expansion is on DeSantis' desk

One aspect of the proposal drawing scrutiny calls for a specialized unit of volunteers within the greater FSG that would allow them to carry weapons and act with the same legal authority of any law enforcement agency they are working with.

Democrats argue that the new arm of the state militia could be used to carry out a political agenda, according to a letter sent by U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland, asking the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the move.

“The Governor has proposed tripling the size of the Florida State Guard to 1,500 and grow its budget to $100 million," Ivey said in the letter. "The recently revived force would carry weapons, make arrests, and may even monitor ballot boxes, track illegal immigrants, and respond to protests at the direction of the governor."

“We cannot be good stewards of taxpayer dollars by funding a law enforcement arm that is being weaponized for a single governor’s personal political purposes. Whether it is seeking to disenfranchise voters, violate civil liberties, or dig up political dirt, the FDLE under Governor DeSantis’ direction requires oversight by this Committee,” the letter concludes.