Washington, D.C
National Guard could remain in DC through 2026
National Guard may stay in DC through 2026
District Attorney General Brian Schwalb says National Guard troops could remain in the city well beyond initial expectations, potentially through summer 2026, during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
WASHINGTON – District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb says National Guard troops may be staying far longer than expected, possibly through the summer of 2026, when the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.
FOX 5’s Maureen Umeh reports the National Guard first arrived in August after President Trump declared a crime emergency in the city.
Two months later, roughly 2,500 troops remain on duty as part of the “Safe and Beautiful” mission, working alongside local police and federal agencies.
READ MORE: National Guard deployment in DC extended to November, per Army memo
Troops may stay longer
In new court filings submitted Friday, Schwalb argues the deployment has shifted from a temporary assignment to a long-term military presence. He cites a recently released email from the Guard’s commanding general instructing troops to “winterize” and prepare for a “long-term persistent presence.”
Schwalb argues the mission violates federal law prohibiting military forces from performing domestic law enforcement. The White House disagrees, saying the president has full authority to deploy the Guard to protect federal assets and support police operations.
Public reaction mixed
Public reaction remains mixed, but many residents FOX 5 spoke with expressed concern about the extended stay in the city.
READ MORE: National Guard remains in DC following Trump’s federal takeover
The Source: Information in this article comes from District Attorney General Brian Schwalb and previous FOX 5 reporting.