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Washington DC officials are taking the Trump administration to court, filing a lawsuit that challenges the president’s controversial decision to deploy the National Guard in the nation’s capital. The legal battle underscores an ongoing clash over public safety, local autonomy, and the federal government’s power to intervene in American cities.
The Lawsuit Against Trump’s National Guard Deployment
On Thursday, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed suit in federal district court, accusing former President Donald Trump of violating both the U.S. Constitution and federal law by sending armed troops into the city without local approval.
The lawsuit argues that Trump’s actions amount to federal overreach that undermines Washington DC’s authority and damages its economy.
“Deploying the National Guard to engage in law enforcement is not only unnecessary and unwanted, but it is also dangerous and harmful to the District and its residents,” Schwalb said in a statement. “It’s DC today, but could be any other city tomorrow. We’ve filed this action to put an end to this illegal federal overreach.”
As of now, no hearings have been scheduled, but the case could set a precedent for how the federal government can use military forces in non-state jurisdictions like Washington DC.
Trump’s Push to “Clean Up” Washington DC
Trump began deploying the National Guard on August 11, 2025, citing what he described as rising crime and homelessness. In addition to the Guard, federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have established checkpoints and conducted arrests across the city.
While Trump has not commented directly on the lawsuit, White House officials defend the move, arguing the president is fulfilling his duty to protect American cities. Reports suggest Trump may extend the DC deployment through December 2025.
The administration points to hundreds of arrests since the operation began and claims that violent crime in Washington DC is trending downward as a result.
How Safe Is Washington DC?
The lawsuit and Trump’s rhetoric raise the question: Is crime in Washington DC “out of control”?
According to official statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC), violent crime is actually decreasing. After peaking in 2023, crime rates in Washington DC fell sharply in 2024 and reached their lowest levels in three decades.
Violent crime is down 26% in 2025 compared to the same time last year.
Robbery has fallen 28% year over year.
Carjackings and other high-profile violent crimes have also declined.
These improvements complicate Trump’s narrative and fuel the city’s argument that deploying troops is unnecessary.
Muriel Bowser Pushes Back
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has been outspoken against the deployment, calling it both costly and inefficient. She argues that bringing in Guard units from other states creates logistical problems, while the presence of masked ICE agents in neighborhoods only heightens fear and distrust.
Still, Bowser has acknowledged some benefits. Her office reports that federal support has contributed to recent declines in carjackings and violent crime. In a sign of pragmatism, she recently outlined a plan for limited cooperation with federal agencies, while insisting on protecting local authority.
A Growing National Debate Over Federal Power
This lawsuit comes just one day after a federal judge in California ruled Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles was illegal. The judge cited the Posse Comitatus Act, a law that limits the federal government’s use of the military in domestic policing.
Legal experts say Washington DC’s case could become a test for how far the White House can go in sending troops to Democratic-led cities.
The White House, meanwhile, accuses critics of undermining the president’s constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief, insisting the deployments are needed to prevent “violence and destruction.”
What’s Next for DC Residents?
The lawsuit represents more than just a legal battle—it touches on broader questions of democracy, public safety, and states’ rights. For DC residents, the stakes are high:
Autonomy vs. Federal Control: Washington DC is not a state, meaning it has less authority over its affairs compared to states like Maryland or Virginia.
Public Safety vs. Civil Liberties: While some applaud the drop in crime, others fear an erosion of civil rights with ICE checkpoints and armed troops in residential areas.
Political Strategy: Trump has threatened similar deployments in Chicago and New Orleans, raising concerns about whether this approach is as much about politics as public safety.
As the case unfolds, Washington DC will remain at the center of a heated national conversation about the limits of federal power and the future of urban law enforcement.
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