Trump Says Natl. Guard Will Remain In DC Until End of Term
The Pentagon is moving toward a long-term security posture in the nation’s capital, with plans to keep National Guard troops stationed in Washington, D.C., through the end of President Donald J. Trump’s second term in January 2029—signaling a sustained federal commitment to restoring law and order in a city long plagued by rising crime.
According to multiple reports, the plan—finalized late last year—is now in its final stages and awaiting approval from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“The Department of War is committed to supporting the President’s mission to address the epidemic of crime in our Nation’s capital,” Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said in a statement. “There are no announcements to make at this time.”
More than 2,500 National Guard troops are currently deployed in Washington as part of the administration’s “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful” initiative, launched in August. Initially expected to conclude in 2025, the mission has already been extended through 2026—and could now remain in place for years longer.
The urgency behind the extended deployment was underscored by a violent incident in November, when two National Guard members from West Virginia were ambushed near the White House. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom later died from her injuries, while Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe survived a gunshot wound to the head.
Legal battles over the deployment have added another layer of complexity. In December, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit intervened to block a lower court ruling that would have forced the Guard’s withdrawal, allowing the administration to maintain its security presence.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed by Brian Schwalb, who argued the deployment overstepped local authority. Earlier, U.S. District Judge Jia Michelle Cobb ruled that the president’s use of the National Guard for crime deterrence violated the city’s Home Rule Act and constitutional limits, placing a temporary restriction on the mission pending appeal.
The White House has forcefully rejected those claims, maintaining that the president is acting fully within his legal authority.
“This lawsuit is nothing more than another attempt — at the detriment of DC residents — to undermine the President’s highly successful operations to stop violent crime in DC,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said.
President Trump first authorized the deployment on August 11 after declaring a crime emergency in Washington, citing surging violence and deteriorating public safety. The operation included approximately 2,300 Guard members from eight states and the District, supported by federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, ATF, DEA, and HSI to conduct around-the-clock patrols.
Meanwhile, accountability in the November shooting has moved forward. Jeanine Pirro announced that suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, now faces a first-degree murder charge following Beckstrom’s death, along with multiple additional charges tied to the attack.
The tragedy has left a lasting impact on the families involved. Beckstrom’s father, Gary Beckstrom, shared a heartbreaking message: “My baby girl has passed to glory. If I don’t talk to you don’t be offended this has been a horrible tragedy.”
As the administration weighs extending the National Guard mission through 2029, the move underscores a broader commitment to law enforcement, public safety, and federal responsibility in the nation’s capital—despite continued opposition from local Democrat officials.