The Pentagon announced that all National Guard members deployed in Washington D.C. would be armed with live weapons and conduct joint patrols with local police, a significant shift in the rules of engagement for domestic military deployments. This decision follows a recent shooting of two guardsmen, one of whom died, near the White House, prompting the administration to order more troops to the city. The move to arm these troops comes as a recent order finding the deployment unlawful is on hold, pending the Trump administration’s appeal. Additionally, the suspect in the shooting, an Afghan national, has caused the administration to launch a review of immigration policies.
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The National Guard, with units in all US states and territories, serves diverse roles including disaster response, border security, and overseas deployments. While reporting to the Department of Defense, their support is typically requested at the state level, though they can be federalized under presidential authority. Notably, Guard members do not have law enforcement powers. Recently, the National Guard was deployed in Washington D.C., as part of an initiative.
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On Wednesday, two National Guard members were critically injured in a shooting near the White House, according to a law enforcement official. The suspect in custody was also shot and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency responders transported all three victims to a hospital, as law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service and ATF, investigated the scene. President Trump was briefed on the incident, and local officials were monitoring the situation. The shooting occurred amidst a heightened National Guard presence in the capital following an emergency order issued in August.
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A U.S. District Court judge recently ruled the National Guard’s deployment to Washington, D.C. was illegal. Judge Jia Cobb determined the Pentagon overstepped its authority by ordering troops for non-military crime-deterrence without city leadership’s permission. This stemmed from the former president’s deployment of the National Guard to combat perceived rising crime, despite crime statistics actually decreasing. The court found the president lacked authority to federalize law enforcement in American cities, particularly in Washington, D.C.
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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to end the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., citing the president’s illegal intrusion on local law enforcement authority. The court found that while the president can protect federal assets, he cannot unilaterally deploy the D.C. National Guard for crime control. The judge has put the order on hold for 21 days to allow for an appeal. This decision follows a lawsuit from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb and other court challenges regarding similar deployments in other cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon.
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The D.C. National Guard’s deployment in Washington, D.C. has been extended through the end of February, according to formal orders. This extension, which follows an August declaration of emergency by former President Trump, directs the Guard to protect federal property and support law enforcement. While the original mission was related to crime-fighting, the task force has also focused on beautification projects. The deployment’s legality is currently being challenged in court by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, with a ruling still pending.
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National Guard could stay in Washington, DC through summer 2026: Lawsuit, it seems like we’re facing a situation that’s a bit more complex than just a simple deployment. The core of the matter seems to be a potential extended presence of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., possibly stretching through the summer of 2026, and a lawsuit is likely in the mix to make that clearer. The implication is that this isn’t just a temporary measure; there are concerns it’s a long-term plan with potentially ulterior motives.
So, the extended timeline raises some critical questions, right? First and foremost, what exactly will these guardsmen and women be doing?… Continue reading
Since President Trump’s law-and-order surge in Washington D.C. began last month, over 50 people have faced federal charges, but at least 11 of those cases have been dropped by prosecutors. Judges have expressed concern over the high dismissal rate, citing wasted court resources and questioning the thoroughness of pre-charge investigations. Grand juries have also refused to return indictments in multiple cases, indicating doubts about the strength of the evidence presented. While the White House touts over 2,000 arrests, the legal challenges highlight the risks associated with the surge strategy.
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Former President Trump has threatened to declare a national emergency in Washington, D.C., due to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s decision to end cooperation between the Metropolitan Police Department and ICE. Trump, in a Truth Social post, claimed his actions had dramatically reduced crime in the city and criticized Bowser for bowing to pressure from the “Radical Left Democrats.” He stated that he would call a national emergency and federalize the city if necessary to prevent crime from “roaring back.” Bowser has stated that immigration enforcement is not within the MPD’s purview, and she created an Emergency Operations Center to address the issues Trump highlighted.
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The National Guard inadvertently shared internal documents with The Washington Post revealing significant troop disillusionment with their deployments in Washington D.C. The documents, meant for internal analysis, highlighted negative public reactions, including veterans expressing “shame and alarm” at the deployments. This unforced error exemplifies the military’s carelessness, mirroring the overall sloppiness of the Trump administration. The released documents show that many troops are unhappy with the current situation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
ICE Claims “System Crash” Wipes Evidence One Day After Lawsuit
A U.S. District Court judge recently ruled the National Guard’s deployment to Washington, D.C. was illegal. Judge Jia Cobb determined the Pentagon overstepped its authority by ordering troops for non-military crime-deterrence without city leadership’s permission. This stemmed from the former president’s deployment of the National Guard to combat perceived rising crime, despite crime statistics actually decreasing. The court found the president lacked authority to federalize law enforcement in American cities, particularly in Washington, D.C.
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