The D.C. National Guard's deployment has been extended to November 30 to ensure safety in the capital, amid ongoing legal disputes and political debates over military involvement in domestic law enforcement, with the White House expressing commitment to security and a lawsuit challenging the deployment.
The Army has extended the orders for the Washington, D.C., National Guard to remain on active duty through Nov. 30, with the possibility of further extension or shorter duration, to ensure safety and operational continuity in the capital, while other state troops remain deployed under different orders.
The Trump administration's attempt to take control of Washington DC's police force was challenged in court, leading to the rescinding of an order that would have placed the DEA head in command. The police chief, Pamela Smith, retains control, and the situation highlights ongoing tensions over federal intervention in DC policing amid broader political disputes over law enforcement and immigration enforcement. Despite federal actions, crime rates in DC have continued to decline.
President Trump announced the deployment of 800 National Guard members and the federalization of D.C.'s police to combat crime, calling it 'Liberation Day' for the city, amid concerns from local officials about the legality and implications of the move, despite declining crime rates in the first half of 2025.
President Trump threatened to federalize D.C.'s police and deploy the National Guard to address crime and perceived governance issues, criticizing local leadership and considering overturning the Home Rule Act, amid ongoing debates over law enforcement and autonomy in the capital.