Soldiers have been patrolling the US capital, Washington, since August. Now a federal judge has ruled: the troop deployment ordered by President Trump is unlawful. However, the government can appeal.
A federal judge declared the deployment of the National Guard in the US capital, Washington, unlawful. Authorities exceeded the limits of their legal authority, wrote Judge Jia Cobb.
US President Donald Trump’s administration is not permitted to activate capital unity without a firm request from local authorities. Additionally, he should not order the National Guard from other states to Washington for policing purposes, the order continued.
Cobb ordered a halt to the deployment of the National Guard, but delayed his decision for three weeks so the Trump administration could appeal. Therefore, the order will remain in effect till December 11.
Trump denies allegations of criminality
The National Guard is a military reserve unit and part of the US armed forces. They are usually under state control and are used in natural disasters, riots or other emergencies. However, in certain situations, the US President can also assume command. There are special rules for Washington.
Trump ordered the National Guard to Washington in August and justified their mobilization with an alleged rise in crime. Crime statistics do not support this narrative. The city government took legal action against the operation. In his order, Cobb explained how the National Guard is present at monuments, in subway stations and in residential areas of the capital.
The operation costs about one million dollars per day
According to media reports, about 2,300 National Guard troops are currently deployed in Washington. According to Cobb, they are expected to remain in the city until the end of February 2026. According to CNN, the cost is estimated to be around one million dollars per day.
Trump also deployed the National Guard to patrol other cities. Critics warn that he is using the troops as a testing ground for an increasingly authoritarian style of governance. Several legal proceedings are ongoing due to the operation.
