Trump's takeover of policing in Washington, D.C., and the National Guard deployment

The District's attorney general, Brian Schwalb, sued in September 2025 to stop the deployment.^[16] In November U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ordered an end to it, ruling that the military takeover violated the Constitution,^[17] but the federal appeals court in Washington paused her order and later said the troops could stay while the case went on, finding the administration likely to win its appeal.^[18][3] The appeals court heard arguments on the deployment's legality in October 2026.^[19]

The fight over crime figures continued. The Justice Department investigated whether DC police had falsified crime statistics,^[20] Police Chief Pamela Smith resigned in December 2025,^[21] a House Oversight Committee report accused her of pressuring commanders to manipulate crime data,^[22] and 13 officers were placed on leave in May 2026 after an internal investigation into the allegations.^[23] A year into the deployment, the administration pointed to falling crime as proof that the mission was working, while the Center for American Progress said the timeline told a different story.^[24]

The deployment was extended through February 2026 and then through the end of the year,^[25][26] and in July 2026 Trump extended it until 2029.^[27] The Guard announced a $292 million plan to house up to 2,000 members,^[28] troops from some Democratic-led states joined during the 250th anniversary celebrations, angering some in the capital,^[29] and an Army veteran filed a $3 million claim saying Idaho Guard members assaulted her at her home.^[30] Guard members were arrested for pointing a gun at a fellow member and for carrying an unauthorized firearm,^[31][32] the city's elections board told troops to stay away from ballot drop boxes,^[33] and in October 2026 a Georgia Guard member was shot in the leg trying to break up a street fight, and a Washington man was charged.^[34][35]

After the midterms Hegseth authorized military boats and vehicles to support the patrols,^[36] while DC Council member Brooke Pinto asked five newly elected Democratic governors to withdraw their states' troops when they take office.^[5][37] The Justice Department had criticized council members in August for asking governors in 10 states to do the same.^[38] After two West Virginia Guard members were shot near the White House in November 2025, Hegseth said Trump had asked for 500 more troops;^[39] that shooting is followed in its own arc, and the deployments to Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland in another.