NASHVILLE – A group of Tennessee National Guard members, who face being forced out of the service by the U.S. Department of Defense on Thursday over their refusal to get mandated COVID-19 vaccines, along with their supporters pleaded publicly with Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday to take actions, including suing the federal government if necessary, to prevent their dismissal.
“On June 30, hundreds of your Tennessee National Guard soldiers – under an illegal, improper order by the Biden administration’s Department of Defense in defiance of natural law and the United States Constitution – are scheduled to be dismissed from service due to refusal to accept a COVID-19 vaccination,” read a petition presented to the state Capitol office of Lee by several dozen Guard members, their families and friends.
“It is your duty before God and the citizens of the great state of Tennessee, sir, to help these men and women. Please stop them from being fired, sir!” the petition tells Lee, a Republican.
The governor was not in the office to accept the petition.
Mickey Shelton, a Tennessee National Guard captain from Grainger County who is a member of the 230th Sustainment Brigade out of Chattanooga, helped lead the effort. Several Republican lawmakers voiced support for the guard members as well.