US Court Allows National Guard Deployment in Washington to Continue
A federal appeals court has ruled that the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., can remain in place while legal proceedings continue. The three‑judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit said the president may have special authority to station troops in the nation’s capital, allowing the deployment to continue into 2026.
The ruling overturns an earlier lower court decision that had deemed the deployment unlawful and ordered the Guard to leave. The appeals court said halting the deployment now could disrupt federal security and operations, suggesting that the administration has a strong chance of prevailing in its full appeal.
The case stems from an emergency order in August declaring a crime crisis in Washington, prompting the deployment of more than 2,300 National Guard troops from eight states and the D.C. Guard. The troops patrol key sites under the authority of the Army secretary, alongside federal agents. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb challenged the move, arguing it infringed on local law enforcement control.
The appeals court rejected this, noting that the city had not demonstrated ongoing harm and emphasizing the president’s interest in safeguarding federal buildings and employees. The court also highlighted the potential disruption to Guard members if they were suddenly withdrawn. A full legal review of other issues will continue in the coming months.
The deployment gained further attention after a deadly attack three weeks ago, when two West Virginia National Guard members were shot while patrolling a subway station near the White House, resulting in one death. Following this, the administration requested an additional 500 Guard troops.
Residents and visitors will continue to see National Guard patrols across the city. While security officials argue that the presence protects federal buildings and personnel, critics say it blurs the line between military and police functions. The legal battle is expected to extend into 2026, keeping the future of the deployment uncertain.
