Trump extends National Guard DC deployment through 2026 despite legal challenge

The Trump administration extended the National Guard deployment in Washington, 🏛️DC through the end of 2026 on Jan. 16, 2026, according to two defense officials familiar with the plan. Approximately 2,500 troops from DC and at least 11 Republican-led states have been deployed in the capital since Aug. 2025. The original deployment was set to expire at the end of Feb. 2026, but Trump officials extended it for 10 additional months.

The deployment began in Aug. 2025 after Trump ordered National Guard troops to the capital, citing law and order concerns. The troops patrol public transit stations, federal buildings, and city streets. The Army has described the mission as supporting local law enforcement and maintaining order in the nation's capital. Hundreds more troops were added after a terrorist attack in early Dec. 2025.

🏛️DC Mayor Muriel Bowser opposes the deployment and has challenged it in federal court. Bowser argues Trump lacks authority to deploy troops in DC for domestic law enforcement without a declared emergency or congressional approval. The DC government maintains its own police force and doesn't need military assistance. Bowser says the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in civilian law enforcement.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 🏛️DC Circuit ruled on Dec. 17, 2025 that National Guard troops can remain in 🌲Washington while a panel of judges examines whether the deployment is legal. The appeals court stayed a lower-court ruling that had questioned the deployment's legality. The court ruling hinted that the deployment could continue for a prolonged period while litigation proceeds. This gives Trump's administration legal cover to keep troops in the capital through the court challenge.

The deployment draws troops from 🏛️DC and 11 Republican-led states including ⛰️West Virginia, 🤠Texas, 🌴Florida, and others. These out-of-state troops are funded by the federal government and answer to the Defense Department, not DC officials. The mixed force creates a complex chain of command where some troops report to DC's government while others report directly to the Pentagon. This arrangement concentrates federal control over security in the capital.

Critics argue the deployment is an authoritarian power grab that normalizes military presence in American cities. Civil liberties groups say Trump is using the military to intimidate political opponents and suppress protests. The deployment sets a precedent for presidents to station troops in major cities indefinitely by claiming vague law and order justifications. If courts uphold this deployment, future presidents could deploy troops to any city they claim needs federal intervention.

The Trump administration defends the deployment as necessary to protect federal property and maintain order in the nation's capital. Defense officials cite ongoing security threats and the special status of 🌲Washington as the seat of government. They argue the president has unique authority over 🏛️DC security because the district isn't a state and federal interests predominate. The administration points to the Dec. 2025 terrorist attack as validation for the troop presence.

The deployment costs millions of dollars per month in federal funding. National Guard troops are paid by the federal government while deployed, and states receive reimbursement for equipment and support costs. The extended deployment through 2026 will cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Congress hasn't specifically authorized funding for this mission, but the Defense Department is using existing appropriations to pay for it.