A White House official confirmed to CNN that the administration continues to assess all potential options to address the supply chain stress — including deploying the National Guard.
However, tapping the National Guard is not imminent and while the administration is not taking anything off the table, it is unlikely to move forward with this, a person familiar with the matter told CNN.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over the weekend did not rule out the possibility of either easing tariffs or using the National Guard. “I think that any opportunity to make a difference will be looked at,” Buttigieg told NBC’s Chuck Todd.
The fact that this is even being explored underscores the severity of the supply chain crisis and hints at concerns about elevated inflation, which is denting Americans’ views of the economy.
It’s a step that has been taken previously during Covid, including to distribute vaccines, help hospitals and drive school vans. In the UK, the army was deployed to deliver fuel to end days of shortages.
“Everyone I talk to within the consumer packaged goods industry believes the strain is only going to become greater in the months ahead,” Freeman said.
