politics

DC has 'no power' to demand National Guard withdrawal: DOJ

The Trump administration on Wednesday slammed Washington, D.C.'s council members for seeking to end the National Guard's mobilization in the district, accusing them of making 'politically motivated demands.'

DC has 'no power' to demand National Guard withdrawal: DOJ

TL;DR

  • The DOJ claims the D.C. council lacks the power to demand the removal of the National Guard.
  • The DOJ attributes significant crime reduction, including a substantial drop in the murder rate, to the National Guard's presence.
  • The D.C. council sent letters to governors requesting the removal of National Guard members deployed to the district.
  • The Trump administration declared a crime emergency and federalized the district in August 2025, invoking the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.
  • The National Guard deployment is scheduled to continue until January 2029.
  • Over 4,600 military personnel were deployed as of August 4, with over 16,000 arrests made.