Washington, D.C. has become the center of a legal showdown as the city’s Attorney General takes aim at President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops.
The dispute raises questions about the limits of presidential authority and the autonomy of the nation’s capital.
Attorney General Challenges “Unlawful Military Occupation”
Brian L. Schwalb filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to end what he calls an “unlawful military occupation” of Washington, D.C.
He argues that the presence of National Guard troops in law enforcement roles oversteps Trump’s presidential powers and infringes on the city’s authority under the Home Rule Act.
Schwalb’s filing specifically points to the deputization of these troops by the U.S. Marshals Service, framing it as a direct violation of the constitutional principle that forbids military involvement in local policing.
White House Pushes Back on Legal Claims
The White House fired back, describing the lawsuit as politically motivated.
“President Trump is well within his lawful authority to deploy the National Guard in Washington D.C. to protect federal assets and assist law enforcement with specific tasks,” said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.
Jackson added that the legal challenge is merely “another attempt — at the detriment of DC residents and visitors — to undermine the President’s highly successful operations to stop violent crime in DC.”
Troop Deployment and Federal Oversight
Since August 11, roughly 2,300 National Guard troops from seven states have been stationed across the District.
Their deployment followed Trump’s declaration of a crime emergency, which placed federal authorities in charge of law enforcement operations in the city.
Central Question: Presidential Power vs. Local Autonomy
At the heart of the lawsuit is a fundamental question: how far can a president go in using the military for domestic law enforcement, particularly in a city with its own local governance? Schwalb contends that Trump’s order exceeds his authority and undermines D.C.’s self-rule, while the White House insists it falls squarely within the president’s powers to protect federal property and public safety.
Story Still Developing
This legal confrontation is unfolding rapidly, and more updates are expected as the case progresses and the city and White House continue to spar over the role of federal troops in local policing.