National Guard Deployment in D.C. Extended Amid Controversy

Thu Nov 06 2025 14:34:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Washington D.C. National Guard's deployment has been extended until late February, with troops focusing on federal property protection and various public beautification efforts.

The National Guard will remain deployed in Washington D.C. through February 28, 2024, under orders linked to an emergency declared by former President Trump. The deployment includes soldiers from various states, focusing on supporting local law enforcement while also engaging in public beautification projects. The presence of the Guard has invoked a legal challenge from D.C.'s Attorney General amid ongoing discussions about the legitimacy and future of their mission in the capital.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington D.C. National Guard will be deployed to the nation’s capital through the end of February, following formal orders reviewed by The Associated Press.

These orders, dated November 4, extend the original deployment made on August 11. The order states that service members will be stationed in the city at least through February 28 to address an emergency declared by former President Donald Trump. This mission involves protecting federal property and supporting law enforcement agencies in D.C.

Since the beginning of the operations, hundreds of National Guard troops have been present in Washington, initially described by Trump as part of a comprehensive effort to combat crime, which also led to a federal oversight of the local police department. While this particular federal order expired in September, approximately 2,000 National Guard soldiers from D.C. and at least eight other states remain active in the city, although many states have indicated plans to withdraw by the end of November.

The D.C. National Guard comprises nearly half of the task force, with 949 troops contributing to the total of about 2,375. The state of West Virginia has the second-largest contribution, with 416 guardsmen involved.

Throughout the deployment, some members of the National Guard have been armed and stationed at key public areas, such as federal parks and transport hubs including subway stations and the Amtrak terminal.

Moreover, a significant portion of the National Guard's tasks has involved community service, including yard work and landscaping around the capital. In a report from early October, it was revealed that troops had cleared substantial amounts of trash, mulch, and plant waste while also repairing public infrastructure.

Despite these activities, the presence of the National Guard in Washington has sparked legal challenges. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit on September 4 to contest the deployment, arguing against the federal government’s actions in a heavily Democratic city. The case has drawn filings from 45 states, divided between those supporting Trump’s administration and those aligning with Washington. Plans suggested by Schwalb indicated that the D.C. Guard might remain in the capital until at least summer 2024.

As various states evaluate the continuation of their troop deployments in Washington, many are expected to conclude their service by November 30, contingent upon any new orders regarding extensions. While the current deployment order does not mention specifics about other states, the total involvement of the National Guard remains a topic of significant discussion and scrutiny.