National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., extended through 2029

The U.S. Department of Defense has extended the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., through January 2029, covering the remainder of President Donald Trump's current term.

More than 5,000 National Guard troops are currently stationed in the nation's capital, with troop levels increasing during the July 4 holiday. The deployment began in August 2025 after President Trump declared a crime emergency and signed an executive order authorizing the mission.

District leaders have continued to oppose the deployment, arguing the troops are unnecessary, are not trained for civilian law enforcement, and have negatively affected businesses. A lawsuit filed by the D.C. attorney general initially ruled in the city's favor before being overturned on appeal. The case remains in litigation.

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said the city continues to challenge the deployment in court and does not want National Guard troops from other states stationed in the District.

On July 9, 13 members of the D.C. Council sent letters to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan asking them to recall National Guard personnel sent to Washington for Fourth of July security. According to the council, Michigan deployed 162 troops and the U.S. Virgin Islands sent 81.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto said bringing armed National Guard troops from other states into Washington does not improve public safety and is not the right approach.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to comment on the extension. So far, the council's requests for troop withdrawals have been directed only to the governors of Michigan and the U.S. Virgin Islands.