Federal Court Questions Trump's National Guard Deployment in D.C.

A federal appeals court panel questioned the legality of Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., during a hearing on Wednesday. The deployment began in August 2025 to combat violent crime and later expanded to nearly 5,000 members for the country's 250th anniversary celebrations.

Judges interrogated whether the president could legally deploy Guard members from other states without an emergency or congressional consent. The Trump administration maintains the troops serve a deterrence role, while the United States Department of War indicated the deployment may last the duration of the president's second term, supported by a $300 million contract for long-term housing.

City leaders filed suit in September 2025, arguing the administration exceeded its authority. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb testified that the military presence has spread fear and apprehension among residents, stating that the city cannot allow itself to become numb to having military in the streets of the nation's capital.