The deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., has been extended by more than two years, with the Pentagon confirming the mission will continue until Jan. 20, 2029, or until terminated by the President. The deployment was originally slated to expire at the end of the current year after previous extensions.
President Donald Trump ordered the National Guard into the nation's capital in August 2025, citing a crime emergency and bringing in additional federal law enforcement officers. The administration asserts that crime rates have significantly decreased since the deployment began. However, local officials contend that crime was already on a downward trend before the Guard's activation.
During their time in the city, Guard members have been involved in various duties, including responding to medical emergencies, assisting with arrests, aiding in snow removal, and participating in beautification projects. The presence of armed soldiers on American streets has drawn criticism, with some officials noting the significant daily cost to taxpayers.
While deployments to other cities, such as California and Illinois, have been halted or paused by court orders, operations in Washington remain active. Guard members continue to patrol city streets, metro stations, tourist attractions, neighborhoods, and parks. In November, a Guard member was fatally shot and another wounded in an incident outside a subway station near the White House.
Due to Washington, D.C.'s status as a federal district, the President has considerable authority over its police force and the D.C. National Guard, allowing for direct control that has circumvented legal challenges faced in some states. Although Guard members do not make arrests, the administration argues their support contributes to crime reduction. The White House reported in April that a joint task force had made 12,000 arrests, including 62 identified gang members, and seized thousands of illegal firearms since the operation commenced.
Disagreements persist regarding the extent to which the deployment can be credited for crime reduction in Washington, a city with a predominantly Democratic electorate. Pre-deployment figures indicated a decline in crime rates, though these figures faced scrutiny amid allegations of manipulation against local police.