Washington, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing the Trump administration of violating the Constitution and federal law by sending thousands of National Guard troops into the city without local consent.
The complaint argues that the August 11 deployment undermines the District’s autonomy, damages its economy, and erodes trust between residents and law enforcement. “Deploying the National Guard to engage in law enforcement is not only unnecessary and unwanted, but it is also dangerous and harmful to the District and its residents,” Schwalb said.
As part of President Trump’s anti-crime initiative, 2,290 Guard members are currently assigned to the mission, including 1,340 from six GOP-led states. Troops have been ordered to carry weapons, and their deployment is expected to be extended through December to preserve benefits.
The lawsuit contends the city “has suffered a severe and irreparable sovereign injury” and that “no American jurisdiction should be involuntarily subjected to military occupation.” Filed in U.S. District Court, it seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to block the federal action.
