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national guard soldier Military officials revealed they could remain on patrol in Washington, DC, until at least the summer of 2026.
Documents presented in court The judge overseeing the federal lawsuit between DC and the Trump administrationMilitary officials confirmed this in email exchanges. There are plans for a long-term “continued presence” of the Guard.
In an email from mid-September, Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard II, interim commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, informed other military officials that they should prepare teams for the winter, as the mission is committed until Nov. 30, with the possibility of being extended.
“We know America 250 will take place this summer, and it will be a factor in determining the future of the mission,” Blanchard wrote in the email, referencing America’s 250th anniversary celebration, which is scheduled for July 4, 2026.
Amidst the pile of emails, Blanchard also confirmed that the federal government has currently deployed all 2,400 National Guard members Patrolling in the country’s capitalThis includes the DC Guard as well as some people from eight other states – Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia and Alabama.
“President Trump successfully stopped the rampant crime crisis in our nation’s capital and transformed it into a safe and clean city,” White House officials said in a statement. IndependentThe National Guard still has a presence in Washington, DC, to ensure the long-term success of federal operations to prevent violent crime. We are grateful for their service in keeping our capital safe for all its residents and visitors.
chairman donald trump DC National Guard members dispatched to the city In August under the claim that there was a “crime emergency” Police reporting lowest murder rate ever From 2023.
President since then calls DC a “completely safe” city with “no crime”According to the , there were at least 78 incidents of assault with a deadly weapon and 11 incidents of sexual assault in September. DC Metropolitan Police Department.
While thousands of arrests have been made in the city. Data reviewed by CBS News shows that almost half are related to immigration.
Much of the National Guard’s work in DC has been to assist local law enforcement or federal agents from other agencies, as they are not allowed to make arrests. Guard members have helped “beautify” the city. By cleaning up trash, removing graffiti, clearing out homeless encampments, erecting fences and more.
One Analysis by CNN It is estimated that the cost of the ongoing deployment could exceed $1 million per day.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who is suing Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, the Defense Department and the Justice Department for sending the Guard, accused the administration of violating the Constitution.
“Discovery confirms that all National Guard troops in the district are operating under federal command, engaged in core law enforcement activities, and are likely to remain here indefinitely – possibly at least until the summer of 2026,” Schwalb said. wrote,
He said there could be a “claim of federal command”. Paws County Act Violationwhich prohibits the government from using the military for domestic law enforcement, as well as the Militia Clause of the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to call out the militia.
As President, Trump has direct authority over the DC National Guard and has the rarely used power to invoke the state National Guard in the event of foreign invasion, insurrection, or when it is impossible to execute laws with regular force.
Governors of other states, such as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, had previously said that their National Guard troops would patrol DC until November 30.
It’s unclear whether that directive has officially changed.