A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Washington, DC, without the city’s approval a significant legal setback to the administration’s expanded use of military forces in domestic policing.

US District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that the President cannot override the authority of Washington’s mayor when enforcing civilian law in the District, pausing deployment orders until legal questions are fully resolved. However, the judge delayed enforcement of her ruling until December 11 to allow the Trump administration to file an appeal.

The District’s Attorney-General, Brian Schwalb, filed the lawsuit on September 4, arguing that Trump unlawfully seized control of local law enforcement and violated restrictions on federal troops engaging in domestic police duties. Schwalb warned that allowing such deployments would set “a dangerous precedent” for civilian liberties and local governance.

But White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson insisted that the President acted lawfully, describing the lawsuit as an effort to obstruct effective measures against violent crime.

Washington, DC occupies a unique constitutional status, allowing presidents certain law enforcement powers not permitted in US states. The administration’s lawyers argue that this removes the requirement for mayoral approval and that the National Guard presence has reduced criminal activity.

The legal clash forms part of a broader national conflict over Trump’s controversial deployment of troops to cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon, amid what he calls widespread lawlessness linked to his immigration enforcement efforts.

Democratic leaders in those cities have challenged the moves, accusing Trump of using militarised policing to intimidate political opponents. Trial courts have sided with the cities in each case, although an appeal court has allowed troops to remain in Los Angeles pending further review.

Erizia Rubyjeana 

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