A federal judge has ruled the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, DC by President Trump to be unlawful. Judge Jia M. Cobb determined that the administration overstepped its legal authority by using the DC National Guard for general crime deterrence, a non-military function. She clarified that while the president commands this unit, its activation requires a request from local civil authorities. The court also found that the Department of Defense lacked the statutory power to bring in Guard members from other states for such operations.
The District of Columbia had filed the lawsuit, arguing the deployment violated its right to self-governance. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the action, stating the president was acting within his authority to combat violent crime. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb hailed the ruling as a victory for home rule. The judge issued a temporary administrative stay to permit an appeal. Approximately 2,200 Guard members are currently deployed in the city.
The District of Columbia had filed the lawsuit, arguing the deployment violated its right to self-governance. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the action, stating the president was acting within his authority to combat violent crime. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb hailed the ruling as a victory for home rule. The judge issued a temporary administrative stay to permit an appeal. Approximately 2,200 Guard members are currently deployed in the city.
