WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court in Washington on Thursday agreed to allow National Guard troops stationed by President Donald Trump in the city since August to remain for now, blocking a lower court judge’s order that the guard’s presence was unlawful and that the troops should be removed by Dec. 11.

In a brief order, a three-judge panel wrote that the decision was designed to give the court enough time to consider the issue, and “should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits” of the case.

The unsigned order came from a panel made up of Judges Gregory G. Katsas and Neomi Rao, both Trump appointees, and Patricia A. Millett, an Obama appointee.

But the order appeared likely to prolong, at least for the time being, Trump’s most expansive effort to use the military to po

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