DC legal professional basic says ongoing deployment in US capital is illegitimate, as Trump floats sending troops to extra cities.
Printed On 4 Sep 2025
The legal professional basic of Washington, DC has filed a authorized problem to US President Donald Trump’s deployment of Nationwide Guard troops to the nation’s capital.
In a submit on X on Thursday, Brian Schwalb mentioned the deployment is illegitimate with out the consent of native authorities. He mentioned it additionally violates a federal legislation that forestalls the navy from “partaking in home policing”.
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“The harms to the district are immense,” Schwalb continued. “Nationwide Guard items are working with out lawful authority and with out legislation enforcement coaching.
“They create confusion, sow worry, erode belief, inflame tensions, and hurt the essential relationship between police and communities they serve,” he mentioned.
NEW: We’re suing to dam the illegal deployment of Nationwide Guard troops to DC.
Armed troopers shouldn’t be policing Americans on American soil.
The pressured navy occupation of the District of Columbia violates our native autonomy and primary freedoms. It should finish.
— AG Brian Schwalb (@DCAttorneyGen) September 4, 2025
The Trump administration has given no clear timeline on when the deployment, which started in mid-August, will finish.
He has framed the deployment as a part of a wider effort to crack down on crime and to assist beautify public areas.
In declaring a “crime emergency” in August, the Trump administration additionally took management of native police in Washington, DC, which is a federal district however maintains some self-governance by way of the Residence Rule Act of 1973.
Native officers have mentioned extra funding from Congress, and never a rise in federal management, would higher assist to deal with crime in the long run.
Trump’s actions got here regardless of federal information displaying crime has really been on the decline within the metropolis.
Earlier this week, a federal decide dominated it was unlawful for Trump to deploy the Nationwide Guard to Los Angeles, California in June.
Trump has more and more recommended deploying the Nationwide Guard to different Democratic-run cities, together with Chicago and New Orleans.