Since August, hundreds of National Guard troops have been deployed in Washington, D.C., as part of a federal law enforcement intervention ordered by then-President Donald Trump. Originally intended as a crime-fighting mission that included a federal takeover of the local police department, the deployment has since evolved into a complex and controversial presence that continues to divide residents, local officials, and community leaders.
The National Guard units, drawn from D.C. and eight other states, have remained active in the city even after the expiration of Trump’s emergency order last month. While most contingents have announced plans to withdraw by the end of November, approximately 2,000 troops still patrol the city’s metro stations and neighborhoods. These forces have supported federal law enforcement agencies in operations that have resulted in hundreds of arrests, sparking fear and unease in many communities—particularly among immigrants and marginalized groups. Trump and his supporters have credited the deployment with contributing to a reduction in crime, although crime rates were already declining before their arrival.
For many residents, however, the sight of armed National Guard troops on city streets has been deeply unsettling. The presence of these uniformed personnel, some visibly armed, has become a symbol of what critics view as presidential overreach and an infringement on Washington, D.C.’s limited autonomy. The city’s unique political status—where Congress controls the budget and laws—complicates its ability to push back fully against federal intervention.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has had to carefully navigate this tension. While she acknowledges that the deployment has helped reduce crime, she has criticized the out-of-state National Guard presence as “not an efficient use of those resources.” Her administration has sought a balance between recognizing the public safety benefits of the operation and opposing what she sees as an overextension of federal power in local affairs.
Adding to the legal and political turmoil, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit challenging the deployment. In recent court documents, Schwalb characterized the National Guard units as operating “as a federal military police force,” and noted that plans exist for the local D.C. Guard to remain in the city at least through the next summer. This lawsuit is part of a broader wave of legal challenges filed by cities across the country that have seen federal law enforcement interventions similar to Washington’s.
Amid the controversy surrounding the National Guard’s role, the local D.C. Guard contingent has distinguished itself by focusing on community service and beautification projects. Since being activated, this group has completed 119 such projects, including cleaning graffiti, picking up trash, refurbishing recreation centers, and planning to support school reading programs in underserved neighborhoods. Many of the troops come from the very communities they serve, which has helped foster some positive interactions and a sense of shared purpose.
In Ward 8, a historically underserved area east of the Anacostia River, local officials have cautiously embraced the Guard’s community improvement efforts despite their opposition to the overall armed presence. Advisory neighborhood commissioner Joseph Johnson noted that the troops have assisted with cleaning around schools and in various parts of the neighborhood. He emphasized that many community members see these Guardsmen as “people just like them,” residents who live and work in the same areas.
Nevertheless, the involvement of the Guard has not been without controversy even within these communities. Some local leaders worry that accepting help from the Guard could be perceived as tacit approval of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to deploy uniformed military forces in American cities. Johnson expressed concern that the administration was “testing the system” to see how far it could push the use of military personnel in domestic law enforcement roles.
The interim commanding officer of the D.C. Guard, Brigadier General Leland Blanchard II, stressed that the local Guard’s mission centers on quality-of-life improvements because the troops are drawn from the communities themselves. He indicated that the deployment would continue “until the president determines it’s time for us to go do something different,” and expressed a desire to maintain strong partnerships with the city and its residents.
Community responses have been mixed. In the diverse Shepherd Park neighborhood, the announcement of the Guard’s arrival for cleaning efforts sparked heated debates on social media. Neighborhood commissioner Paula Edwards had to clarify that no local official had invited the Guard to the area. She acknowledged that for many residents, the Guard’s presence is intimidating, even though the troops are following orders. Edwards differentiated the local D.C. Guard from other state contingents, noting their