Washington State Caught Between Commanders
How Washington States’ National Guard walks the line between President Trump’s federal orders and Governor Bob Ferguson’s state authority — becoming the quiet front line of American division.
In moments like these—when politics run hot and the country feels pulled apart—the Washington National Guard ends up right in the middle of it. Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, our state’s Guard commander, is walking a tightrope between two influential figures: President Donald Trump and Governor Bob Ferguson.
“People are beginning to understand, Welsh said, that something can be legal but still feel wrong. ‘You may disagree with it. You may not like it. But those are orders,’ he said.”
—Major General Gent Welsh - Seattle Times - October 15, 2025
The Seattle Times piece below explores how Welsh navigates orders that can pull in opposite directions, particularly when federal deployments conflict with local decisions. With Trump’s controversial use of the Guard in U.S. cities and Seattle’s own leaders pushing back, this story shines a light on the complex reality of serving two masters—balancing federal authority with state responsibility, while still protecting the people they serve.
Read the full Seattle Times article here:
Trump or Ferguson? WA National Guard commander on having two bosses
Reading this reminded me why local journalism still matters — and why leadership grounded in integrity stands out in chaotic times. I’m proud of our Washington National Guard commander, Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, and grateful to The Seattle Times for shining a light on what service under divided command really looks like.
👀 Watch widely. 📚 Read deeper. ✅ Fact-check your sources.
❤️ Tap if you value independent state-level coverage—it helps the algorithm.
💬 Comment if you’ve served or worked alongside the Guard and want to share what the public doesn’t see.
📣 Share this with someone who still thinks the Guard only shows up during disasters.
📬 Subscribe to stay updated on how national decisions ripple through state command.
🌎 Our voices need to carry further. Restacking and sharing inside our circle of “close friends” isn’t enough. If we only preach to our own Democratic bubble, we’re going nowhere. We have to reach beyond — especially toward people in the middle who don’t know which way to turn. Talk with them. Share with them. Read with them. That’s how we start to reverse this mess.