The Washington D.C. National Guard will remain deployed in the nation’s capital until at least February 28, as confirmed by formal orders obtained by The Associated Press. The orders, dated November 4, extend the previous deployment initiated on August 11 and respond to an emergency declared by President Donald Trump in August, which mandated federal protection of property and functions in Washington D.C. Additionally, these orders direct the National Guard to assist both federal and local law enforcement agencies in the area.
Since the deployment began in August, hundreds of National Guard troops have been present in Washington. Initially, Trump characterized the deployment as a “crime-fighting mission,” which included a controversial federal takeover of the local police department. Although that federal order expired in September, approximately 2,000 National Guard members from D.C. and at least eight other states remain stationed in the city, with most of the states indicating plans to withdraw their troops by the end of November.
The D.C. National Guard has become the principal source of troop presence, contributing 949 soldiers to a task force that totals 2,375 troops. West Virginia follows as the second-largest contributor, providing 416 guardsmen. Some of these troops have been armed and positioned in public spaces, especially in federal parks, at subway stations, and near the Amtrak train station, creating a prominent military presence throughout the city.
Interestingly, the National Guard task force has engaged in numerous community service activities, particularly focusing on landscaping and public space beautification around the capital. A report issued in early October highlighted significant accomplishments, including the removal of 1,150 bags of trash, the distribution of 1,045 cubic yards of mulch, the collection of 50 truckloads of plant waste, and the pruning of 400 trees. After early October, reports from the task force have mainly provided updates on troop numbers rather than new beautification initiatives.
One segment of the D.C. Guard has collaborated with neighborhood officials and residents to work on beautification projects, responding to community requests. However, the ongoing presence of the National Guard in Washington has led to a lawsuit filed by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb on September 4, which challenges the Trump administration's authority to utilize the National Guard in a predominantly Democratic area. The lawsuit has attracted the attention of 45 states, with 23 supporting Trump and 22 backing Washington’s position. The Trump administration maintains that he holds full authority to deploy guard troops since he is the designated commander of the D.C. Guard.
In documents filed by Schwalb to seek the removal of the Guard from Washington, plans were indicated for the D.C. Guard to potentially remain stationed in the city through the summer. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, appointed by former President Joe Biden, heard arguments related to this request on October 24 but has yet to reach a ruling. The duration of deployment for troops from other states, which includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama, remains uncertain. Several of these states have communicated to the Associated Press that they aim to conclude their deployments by November 30, contingent upon further orders regarding extensions, although the current deployment order does not mention the troops from those states.
