Topline
President Donald Trump’s deployment of over 2,000 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., was illegal, a federal judge ruled Thursday, siding with local officials as troops near their fourth month of deployment in the city.
Members of the National Guard patrol near the U.S. Capitol on October 1, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images
Key Facts
Judge Jia Cobb said the Department of Defense defendants “exceeded the bounds of their authority” when they deployed the National Guard for “non-military, crime deterrence missions” without a request from Washington, D.C., authorities.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.