Trump Extends DC National Guard Deployment through February 28

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Trump Extends DC National Guard Deployment through February 28/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has extended the D.C. National Guard’s deployment in the nation’s capital through February 28, 2026, citing the need to protect federal property and law enforcement support. The move has drawn criticism and a legal challenge from D.C.’s Attorney General, who questions the legality of the federal control. Over 2,000 troops remain active in the city, performing both security and beautification duties.

D.C. National Guard members clean up the park around Fort Stevens Recreation Center, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Washington. News of the cleanup sparked a community debate over the presence of the Guard. (AP Photo/Gary Fields)

DC Guard Extension Quick Looks

Deployment of D.C. National Guard extended to February 28, 2026.
Order stems from Trump’s emergency declaration made in August.
Nearly 2,400 troops remain in the capital, from D.C. and 8 states.
The D.C. Guard is the largest contingent, with 949 troops deployed.
Federal officials cite protection of property and support for law enforcement.
Guard presence includes armed patrols in parks, transit stations, and near monuments.
Troops also tasked with cleanup and landscaping across the city.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is suing the Trump administration over the deployment.
45 states have filed positions on the lawsuit; 23 support Trump, 22 support D.C.
A federal judge has yet to rule on the legality of the deployment.

Neighborhood resident and volunteer, Valencia Mohammed, center, talks to D.C. National Guard interim commander Army Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard II, right, and Lt. Col. Marcus Hunt, left, about cleanup efforts at Fort Stevens Recreation Center, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Washington. Mohammed requested the cleanup. Marcus Hickman, Anacostia ANC Commisioner, is seen rear. (AP Photo/Gary Fields)

Deep Look: Trump Extends DC National Guard Presence Through February Amid Legal Showdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has formally extended the deployment of the District of Columbia National Guard through February 28, 2026, according to an official military order obtained by the Associated Press. The decision keeps thousands of troops stationed in the U.S. capital for at least four more months, marking a continued show of federal force under the president’s emergency declaration issued in August.

The directive comes amid growing criticism from city officials and residents who argue the Guard’s presence is excessive, politically motivated, and legally questionable.

Deployment Origins and Purpose

The order, dated November 4, prolongs a mission originally authorized on August 11. It cites directives from the “Secretary of War” to protect federal property and government operations in the nation’s capital, as well as to bolster local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Though originally tied to a broader crime-fighting initiative that temporarily saw the federal takeover of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, that aspect of the mission ended in September. Yet the National Guard presence persists, with more than 2,300 troops still in the city from Washington D.C. and eight other states.

Who’s Still Deployed

The D.C. National Guard makes up the largest share of the deployment, contributing 949 soldiers. Other significant contributors include West Virginia with 416 troops, followed by personnel from Ohio, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Georgia.

Some soldiers are armed and have been seen patrolling federal parks, metro stations, and Union Station, contributing to a high-profile military presence throughout the capital.

Beautification and Cleanup Missions

Interestingly, the Guard’s role in D.C. hasn’t been strictly security-related. According to a task force update from October, troops engaged in citywide cleanup efforts, clearing:

1,150 bags of trash
1,045 cubic yards of mulch
50 truckloads of plant waste
7.9 miles of roadways
270 feet of fencing painted
400 trees pruned

The beautification initiative was reportedly conducted at the request of neighborhood leaders and local residents, who partnered with soldiers to restore community parks and recreation areas.

Legal Battle Over Federal Control

The continued Guard presence has triggered a lawsuit from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who filed a legal challenge on September 4, questioning the legality of the federal government’s extended use of National Guard troops in a city without statehood.

Schwalb argues the deployment is an overreach of executive power and violates D.C.’s local autonomy. The lawsuit has gained national attention, with 45 states filing amicus briefs:

23 states support the Trump administration
22 states back Washington D.C.’s challenge

At the heart of the legal battle is whether President Trump, as commander-in-chief of the D.C. National Guard, has unlimited authority to deploy troops in the city without the consent of local leaders.

Court Deliberation Underway

The case is currently under review by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, who heard arguments on October 24. A ruling has not yet been issued, and observers say the outcome could have major implications for federal authority over the District and future military deployments during peacetime.

Court filings from the D.C. Attorney General’s office suggest that the federal government had internal plans to keep Guard troops in place at least through the summer of 2026.

Future Uncertain for Out-of-State Troops

The November 4 order specifically extends only the D.C. National Guard deployment. Other participating states have indicated that their troops may begin to withdraw by November 30, unless new orders are issued to prolong their involvement.

It’s unclear if Trump plans to renew their deployments or leave the bulk of enforcement duties to the D.C. contingent going forward.