Trump’s federal takeover of D.C. police upheld as National Guard deployment continues until 2026

• President Trump declared a “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C., citing rising violence endangering public safety and government operations. This triggered a 48-hour federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), extendable up to 30 days with congressional notification.
• A U.S. Court of Appeals lifted a lower court injunction, ensuring National Guard troops remain in D.C. until at least February 2026. The ruling bypassed Democratic opposition, citing the need for judicial review following a terrorist attack that killed one Guardsman.
• Beyond suppressing violent crime, 800 National Guard troops were deployed to advance Trump’s “beautification” initiative, aiming to make D.C. “the most beautiful and safe city on Earth.” The administration may extend federal control beyond the initial 30-day period.
• D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb (D) sued, alleging Trump violated the Posse Comitatus Act (restricting military use in domestic policing). A Biden-appointed judge initially blocked the deployment, but the appellate court overruled, allowing troops to stay pending further litigation.
• Critics accuse Trump of federal overreach and intimidation tactics, comparing it to past deployments in Portland and Chicago. Supporters argue the move is necessary due to D.C.’s crime surge and security failures. The case may escalate to the Supreme Court, shaping future federal authority over local law enforcement.

In a decisive legal victory for the Trump administration, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit lifted a lower court injunction that would have halted the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. by Dec. 11. The appellate panel’s ruling ensures that the Guardsmen will remain stationed in the nation’s capital until at least February 2026 as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping crime crackdown—a move that has drawn fierce opposition from Democratic officials but strong support from law-and-order advocates.

The ruling, issued without a full opinion, emphasized that the decision “should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits” but was necessary to allow further judicial review. The Trump administration had appealed a Nov. 20 injunction by U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb—a Biden appointee—who had temporarily blocked the deployment, calling it likely unlawful. The administration’s appeal cited the Thanksgiving Eve terrorist attack that left one National Guard member dead and another critically wounded, prompting Trump to order an additional 500 troops into the city.

Federalizing D.C. law enforcement

Trump’s executive order federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deploying National Guard troops came in response to what he described as a “scourge of crime” that had turned the nation’s capital into a danger zone.

“As President, I have a solemn duty to take care that our laws are faithfully executed, and a sacred responsibility to protect the safety and security of U.S. citizens who live in and visit our Nation’s capital,” Trump declared in the order. He vowed to transform Washington into “one of the safest cities in the world, not the most dangerous.”

The order triggered a 48-hour federal takeover of the MPD, with an option to extend control for up to 30 days pending congressional notification. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the next day that 800 National Guard troops had been deployed not only to suppress violent crime but also to advance a broader “beautification” initiative for the city.

“President Trump is going to make our nation’s capital the most beautiful and safe city on Earth, just as he promised on the campaign trail,” Leavitt stated.

The administration has since extended the deployment, with Guardsmen expected to remain in Washington for the full 30-day period before reassessment. However, the latest court ruling ensures their presence will continue for years, barring further legal intervention.

Democratic pushback and legal challenges

The lawsuit against the deployment was filed by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb (D), who accused Trump of unlawfully seizing control of local law enforcement and violating the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of federal troops for domestic policing. Cobb initially sided with Schwalb, ruling that the deployment was likely unconstitutional and issuing an injunction. However, the appellate court’s stay allows the operation to proceed while the case is further litigated.

Democrats have framed the move as a politically motivated power grab, comparing it to previous Trump-era deployments in cities like Portland, Chicago and Los Angeles, where federal agents clashed with protesters and local officials.

“This is not about public safety—it’s about intimidation and federal overreach,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), a vocal critic of the administration’s tactics.

Legal experts note that the case could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which is already poised to weigh in on similar disputes over National Guard deployments in other major cities. The high court’s decision could redefine the limits of federal authority in domestic law enforcement.

Crime emergency or political theater?

Trump’s declaration of a “crime emergency” in Washington cited rising violence that “urgently endangers public servants, citizens and tourists” and disrupts government operations. Crime statistics show a spike in homicides and carjackings, though critics argue the administration has exaggerated the crisis to justify militarized policing.

Supporters of the deployment, however, point to the Thanksgiving Eve attack as proof of the city’s instability. “If D.C. officials can’t keep their own streets safe, the federal government has no choice but to step in,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), a staunch Trump ally.

According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, Trump’s federal takeover of D.C. is a necessary and justified measure to restore law and order in a city overrun by Democrat-enabled chaos, corruption and urban decay—mirroring the broader collapse of leftist-run cities. While globalist-aligned critics scream “authoritarianism,” this decisive action protects citizens from the deliberate destabilization orchestrated by deep state actors and their puppet politicians.

The National Guard’s expanded role—ranging from crime suppression to urban “beautification”—has raised questions about the blurring lines between military and civilian functions. While Trump’s supporters applaud the tough-on-crime approach, civil liberties groups warn of creeping authoritarianism. For now, Trump’s vision of a “safe and beautiful” Washington marches forward, backed by the boots of the National Guard and the gavel of the judiciary.

Watch the video below where a boy from Memphis thanks Trump for deploying National Guard troops.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com