Appeals court allows Trump administration to maintain National Guard deployment in D.C. for the time being

On Thursday, a federal appeals court issued a temporary hold on a lower court decision that had ordered the removal of National Guard troops from the streets of Washington, D.C. In a brief one-page ruling, appellate judges implemented an administrative stay, clarifying that their action does not address the merits of the case and simply allows more time for review.

The Trump administration is seeking a longer-term suspension of U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobbs prior order. Cobb had ruled that the presidents deployment of both D.C. National Guard and troops from other states overstepped local authority, which grants the district control over law enforcement operations. While the president retains the power to safeguard federal facilities, Cobb determined he cannot unilaterally assign National Guard units for broader crime control.

The judge delayed the enforcement of her ruling for 21 days to permit the appeal process. The administration described her decision as an unwarranted intrusion into presidential and congressional authority and reaffirmed that the deployment was within legal bounds, with a White House spokesperson emphasizing their expectation of eventual judicial support.

In August, President Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, prompting the deployment of over 2,300 National Guard members from multiple states, alongside hundreds of federal agents. The District of Columbias Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, filed suit seeking to prevent the president from sending troops without the mayors approval while the litigation continues. Schwalbs office did not comment immediately on the appeals courts stay.

The court action follows a recent incident in which West Virginia National Guard members Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe were ambushed near the White House. Beckstrom later died, and Wolfe remains in recovery. Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was also involved in the confrontation, faces murder charges.

In response to the shooting, the administration requested an additional 500 National Guard troops, with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders sending 100 service members as reinforcement. The administration has also dispatched Guard units to Los Angeles and sought to deploy them in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, leading to further legal challenges. Appeals courts have allowed the Los Angeles deployment, while the Portland case remains under appeal.

Author: Benjamin Carter