National Guard Troops Remain Deployed in Washington with No End in Sight

Eight months after a crime emergency declaration, over 2,500 troops continue to patrol the nation's capital with no clear timeline for withdrawal.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 10:51am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, abstract painting in muted shades of green, grey, and blue depicting the movement of National Guard troops through the streets of Washington, D.C., conveying a sense of disruption and unease.The ongoing presence of National Guard troops on the streets of Washington, D.C. creates a sense of unease and disruption in the nation's capital.Washington Today

Eight months after President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C. and called up the National Guard, more than 2,500 troops remain deployed in the nation's capital with no clear end in sight to their presence. The ongoing deployment has become routine, with guard members patrolling streets, metro stations, tourist attractions, neighborhoods, and parks, despite concerns from local officials about the costs and optics of having armed soldiers on American streets.

Why it matters

The indefinite deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. highlights the city's limited autonomy and the federal government's ability to exert control over the local jurisdiction, even as crime rates were already declining prior to the troop surge. The presence of armed soldiers raises concerns about the suppression of dissent and the potential to create an intimidating atmosphere during upcoming elections.

The details

Since President Trump's executive order in August 2020 declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., the National Guard has assisted local police with a variety of tasks, including responding to medical emergencies, making arrests, enforcing the city's juvenile curfew, and carrying out beautification projects. The White House claims the deployment has helped reduce crime, with 12,000 arrests made by the task force and thousands of illegal firearms seized. However, local officials dispute the extent to which the Guard deployment can be credited for the crime reduction, as figures show crime was already on the decline before the troops arrived.

  • In August 2020, President Trump issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C. and calling up the National Guard.
  • Eight months after the initial deployment, more than 2,500 National Guard troops remain in the nation's capital.
  • In January 2026, the National Guard helped with snow removal during a major storm.

The players

President Donald Trump

The former president who issued the executive order in August 2020 that brought the National Guard to Washington, D.C.

Muriel Bowser

The mayor of Washington, D.C. who has walked a fine line on the Guard's deployment, working with the president while also pushing back on some of his demands.

Phil Mendelson

The chairman of the District of Columbia Council, who has criticized the ongoing National Guard deployment as costing taxpayers more than a million dollars a day.

Brian Schwalb

The District of Columbia Attorney General who is challenging the Guard deployment in court.

Keya Chatterjay

The co-founder and executive director of the advocacy group Free DC, which is planning protests to oppose the federal surge and the continuing presence of the National Guard.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Taxpayers are paying more than a million dollars a day to have them walk around.”

— Phil Mendelson, Chairman of the District of Columbia Council

“Every local leader should want to mimic this success in their own locales.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson

“It would be great if the federal government would use its money and resources to help the District on the things we need help with and not act like an invading army.”

— Brianne Nadeau, District Council member

What’s next

Unless the courts step in, the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. will remain at least through the end of 2026, if not longer. Advocacy groups are planning protests on May 1 to oppose the federal surge and the continuing presence of the National Guard.

The takeaway

The indefinite deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. highlights the city's limited autonomy and the federal government's ability to exert control over the local jurisdiction, even as crime rates were already declining prior to the troop surge. The presence of armed soldiers raises concerns about the suppression of dissent and the potential to create an intimidating atmosphere during upcoming elections.