Washington, U.S.— The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump and the U.S. military, opposing the deployment of National Guard troops in the capital city.
The legal action, initiated by Attorney General Brian Schwalb, accuses Trump of breaching democratic principles and federal law by using military forces for domestic policing. According to NBC News, the lawsuit alleges that Trump disregarded a core democratic safeguard which prohibits the military from engaging in civilian law enforcement.
In a strongly worded statement, Schwalb criticized the move as both “unnecessary and unwanted,” warning that it posed safety risks to residents and set a troubling precedent. He emphasized that no U.S. city should be subjected to military oversight, particularly by out-of-state troops unaccountable to residents and untrained in local policing.
“It’s Washington today, but tomorrow it could be any other city,” Schwalb cautioned. “We have filed this action to halt this unlawful federal intrusion.”
The lawsuit follows a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in California, who declared that the Trump administration violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a law restricting the military’s involvement in civilian law enforcement. Judge Breyer specifically blocked the deployment of federal troops in California, revealing through court documents that 4,000 National Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines had been sent to Los Angeles in June for immigration and drug enforcement operations.
Despite these setbacks, the Trump administration signaled its determination to maintain a military presence in the capital. CNN reported that a senior official confirmed National Guard deployments in Washington would continue through December, as part of Trump’s broader anti-crime strategy.
The White House defended the measure, insisting it was essential for public safety. A senior official told CNN, “President Trump is committed to the long-term security of Washington, DC, for both its residents and visitors.”
The case is now expected to test the limits of federal authority in deploying military forces domestically, raising wider questions about the balance between national security and democratic freedoms.
By Makinde oyinkansola| September 4, 2025
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