Brogdon Blasts Presidential Council of Governors; Calls for Henry to Decline Obama’s Appointment

State Sen. Randy Brogdon said Tuesday that President Barack Obama’s executive order creating the Presidential council of Governors is just one more example of the federal government’s ongoing erosion of states’ rights. Brogdon offered a Senate Concurrent Resolution to fellow members denouncing the panel and asking Gov. Brad Henry to decline his appointment to the Council.

Brogdon said one of the duties of the new council is the coordination and integration of military operations within the nation between the federal government and various states—a move Brogdon said is a threat to all 50 states, and one that he would oppose.

“This just further blurs the lines between civil and military authority given to the federal government. I believe this violates the 10th amendment and further damages state sovereignty,” said Brogdon, R-Owasso. “Oklahoma has the National Guard, police, highway patrol and many first responders to protect our citizens. The U.S. Army is there to protect our nation’s borders. I strongly oppose any action that would allow federal military to come into our state and have authority over our police and our communities.”

The resolution condemns both Congress and the President for requiring and spearheading the council’s creation, something Brogdon called a subversion of the Constitution.

“Citizens need to pay careful attention to what is happening in Washington, because it is having a negative impact on Oklahoma” Brogdon said. “We need to speak up for our freedoms and our sovereignty before they are taken from us.”