then that's just the same thing as asking the guardsmen to refuse orders when this strategy results in their getting federal orders. I'm all for encouraging resistance by the guard, but the "Dem governors should activate the guard" doesn't actually get you anything
Trump always exploits paradoxical situations like this one and they’ve been preparing this one for a long time. But the Governor could win by pointing out that federalization in this case is Unconstitutional and illegal, and use statesmanship to encourage the guards to uphold their oath.
all smart positions for a governor to take, and could done whether or the governor activates the guard. My guess is activating the guard makes it easier for Trump to do what he wants.
And you haven't given any reason it strengthens the democratic states' positions vs. waiting for trump to activate and then making these arguments