Gov. Ron DeSantis rejects Biden's request for National Guard troops to protect State of the Union speech against trucker protest

 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that he had rejected a request from President Joe Biden to send National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., for his State of the Union address.

Biden is scheduled to give his first State of the Union speech in Congress on Tuesday, but there is apprehension about several trucker protests headed to the nation's capital to disrupt the event.

On Monday, DeSantis said he had rejected the president's request for National Guard troops to help secure the peace.

"Last week, the Biden Administration requested the assistance of State National Guards to deploy to Washington D.C. I have rejected this request — there will be no [Florida National Guard] sent to D.C. for Biden’s State of the Union," the governor tweeted.

DeSantis is seen as the foremost opponent of Biden's policies among Republican state governors.

Liberals lashed out at DeSantis over the tweet.

"Don't be surprised if your next hurricane state of emergency call to FEMA rolls to voicemail, Ron," tweeted Canadian comedian Deven Green.

Local and national law enforcement have ramped up the security ahead of the speech in order to head off any disruptions from protests. U.S. Capitol Police said that they would erect a security fence around Congress and close some streets in the surrounding areas.

At least three trucker convoys are expected to converge at the nation's capitol to show their disdain for Biden and his policies, especially those related to vaccine and mask mandates. One of the larger convoys launched from the Mojave Desert in California on a cross-country route last week.

One Democrat called on law enforcement authorities to seize the trucks from any protest and "give the trucks to small trucking companies looking to expand their business."

Critics of modern State of the Union speeches note that historically the address was a simple letter sent by the president to Congress. It was converted by Woodrow Wilson into an ostentatious ceremony for the sake of raising the profile of the executive branch.

Here's more about the State of the Union address:

Security heightened ahead of Biden's 1st State of The Union | GMAwww.youtube.com