Gov. DeSantis activates Florida National Guard to prepare for possible unrest Ryan Dailey, News Service of Florida Published: Updated: Tags: Associated Press and News Service of Florida contributed to this report. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday evening activated the Florida National Guard to assist state and local law enforcement agencies, following FBI warnings of potentially violent protests in state capitals this weekend in advance of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The governor’s executive order mobilizing the guard was issued “in response to reports of potential civil unrest,” DeSantis’ office said in a press release. Friday’s order, which went into immediate effect and will last until Jan. 24, instructs the state National Guard to assist the Florida Department of Law Enforcement “in its coordination with local authorities in state capitol operations and in its efforts to protect the state, its citizens, and public buildings and property from any potential civil unrest.”