The National Guard's presence in Washington, D.C., could last until the summer of 2026, according to recent court documents and emails from National Guard leaders. These documents were submitted to the District of Columbia attorney general as part of an ongoing lawsuit against the Trump administration and the D.C. National Guard. The filings indicate that federal officials are preparing for a prolonged deployment, particularly as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in July 2026.

Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard II, the interim commander of the D.C. mission, communicated in an email that the current deployment, set to expire at the end of November, might be extended. He advised his team to "plan and prepare for a long-term persistent presence" in the capital. Approximately 2,400 National Guard members from D.C. and eight other states are currently serving as federal law enforcement officers. The governors of these states volunteered their troops for the mission and have the option to rotate them out.

Despite the potential for an extension, one state official noted that they had not received any requests to keep their Guardsmen beyond November. A spokesperson for the Joint Task Force in D.C. confirmed that the current orders for the National Guard are valid until November 30, with no plans for an extension at this time.

The lawsuit filed by the District of Columbia claims that the National Guard is functioning as a federal military police force in the city. The filing alleges that state National Guard officers mobilized to D.C. have been excluded from decision-making processes regarding their troops. The D.C. attorney general argues that the Pentagon is exerting significant control over the deployed forces, while state governors and adjutant generals have little influence.

The core of the dispute centers on the assertion that the federalization of the National Guard undermines local authority in Washington, D.C. This presence began in August and has raised concerns about the legality of the deployment. The D.C. Attorney General's office contends that the troops are unlawfully involved in law enforcement activities, which should be the responsibility of civilian police.

In a related statement, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers emphasized that the National Guard's presence is necessary to maintain safety in the capital. She stated, "President Trump successfully stopped the out-of-control crime crisis in our nation’s capital and turned it into a safe and clean city. To ensure the long-term success of the federal operations to deter violent crime, the National Guard is still present in Washington, D.C."

The ongoing legal battle has drawn attention to the financial implications of the National Guard's deployment, with some officials estimating costs could exceed $500 million. Critics, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, have expressed concerns about the appropriateness of using military personnel for policing duties. Bowser has questioned the rationale behind deploying military forces in an American city to manage civilian affairs.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb is currently overseeing the case, but no ruling has been made regarding the District's request for an injunction against the National Guard's deployment. The situation remains fluid as the legal proceedings continue and the future of the National Guard's presence in D.C. hangs in the balance.