A federal appeals court has granted a temporary pause on a lower court’s ruling concerning the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. The decision came on Thursday as a panel of judges issued an administrative stay, allowing time to consider the ongoing legal issues. The panel emphasized that this action does not imply any judgment on the merits of the case.
Background on National Guard Deployment
The Trump administration seeks to extend the pause on U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb’s previous ruling. Cobb determined that the president’s deployment of National Guard forces in D.C. interferes with local officials’ authority over law enforcement. Her ruling highlighted that while the president can protect federal functions, he cannot independently deploy D.C. National Guard troops for crime control.
Recent Developments
- Judge Cobb’s ruling was put on a 21-day hold to accommodate the Trump administration’s appeal.
- The administration labeled her decision as an “unjustified incursion” into presidential and congressional powers.
- White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson expressed confidence in the administration’s legal stance.
National Guard Troop Details
In response to a declared crime emergency by Trump in August, over 2,300 National Guard members from eight states have been assigned to patrol D.C. These troops operate under the command of the Secretary of the Army. Additionally, hundreds of federal agents have been deployed to assist them.
Legal Challenge from D.C. Officials
The District of Columbia Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, has initiated a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Guard deployments. Schwalb seeks to prevent the White House from dispatching troops without the mayor’s approval while the legal case unfolds.
Recent Incident and Additional Deployments
On November 27, Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom succumed to injuries sustained during an ambush near the White House, while Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe continues to recover. An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been charged with the murder of Beckstrom and has pleaded not guilty.
- In light of the ambush, the administration plans to deploy an additional 500 National Guard members in D.C.
- Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a contribution of 100 military personnel to this buildup.
National Guard Deployments in Other Cities
The administration has also sought to deploy National Guard troops to cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, leading to multiple legal challenges. A federal appeals court has already authorized the Los Angeles deployment. However, an ongoing appeal addresses a ruling in Portland denying the president authority over that deployment.
