A federal judge has ruled that the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, DC, by President Donald Trump and the Defense Department was unlawful. This decision, announced on Thursday, was a result of a lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s office for Washington, DC, in early September 2023. The suit challenged the Trump administration’s decision to increase federal law enforcement presence in the capital.
In her ruling, federal District Judge Jia Cobb stated that the administration “exceeded the bounds of their authority” regarding the National Guard’s deployment. According to Cobb, the deployment was made “for non-military, crime-deterrence missions” without a formal request from the city’s civil authorities. This action was deemed as acting “contrary to law.”
Despite her ruling, Judge Cobb has delayed the enforcement of her order, allowing the Trump administration up to 21 days to file an appeal. Additionally, Cobb identified that the administration lacked the statutory authority to mobilize out-of-state National Guard members.
“The Court finds that the District’s exercise of sovereign powers within its jurisdiction is irreparably harmed by Defendants’ actions in deploying the Guards,” Cobb wrote in her order. This ruling could have significant implications for how federal and local authorities interact during crises and the extent of federal power in the district.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will respond to the ruling and whether an appeal will alter the current status of the National Guard’s presence in Washington, DC.
This is a rapidly evolving story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.