National Guard to remain deployed in D.C. through Inauguration Day in 2029, DOD says

The deployment began when President Donald Trump last summer signed an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., which brought the numbers of National Guard troops in the city to 5,000.

Published: July 16, 2026 8:45am

The Department of Defense said Wednesday that the National Guard will remain deployed in the nation's capital through Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, 2029. 

The deployment began when President Donald Trump last summer signed an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., which brought the numbers of National Guard troops in the city to 5,000, a number that increased further for the Fourth of July celebrations. 

Mayor Muriel Bowser and other city officials have opposed the deployment since it began, 4Washington reported. They argue that the deployment is unnecessary and soldiers aren't trained in law enforcement. 

A lawsuit filed by the D.C. attorney general was overturned on appeal pending further litigation. 

 

 

 

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