Three Republican governors are sending National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., after a federal judge blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to assume control of the city's police department.
According to WUSA9, the coordinated troop deployments come as tensions rise between the White House and D.C. officials following a court decision upholding the city’s authority over its police force.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith remains in her role under the supervision of Mayor Muriel Bowser. The ruling came in response to legal action taken by the District of Columbia after the Trump administration attempted to replace Smith with a federal appointee. The dispute stemmed from an executive order issued by Chief Smith on Thursday that limited cooperation between her department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In reaction, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi named Drug Enforcement Administration chief Terry Cole to head D.C.'s police, prompting immediate legal opposition from city officials.
Mayor Bowser’s legal team, joined by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, argued that the administration’s move violated the Home Rule Act, which governs the balance of power between the District and the federal government. The court agreed, stating that the president must request local enforcement cooperation rather than seize control.
Governors Invoke Security Concerns Through Troop Actions
The day after the court ruling, governors from West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio responded by committing military support to the nation’s capital. All three are Republican-led states and framed their troop missions as supportive of national security and order. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced he would dispatch between 300 and 400 National Guard members, bringing with them specialized equipment and training capabilities. “West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital,” Morrisey said in a statement.
Morrisey added that the mission reflects "a shared commitment to a strong and secure America," highlighting what he described as the patriotism and professionalism of his state's National Guard personnel.
Court Decision on D.C. Control Sparks Fierce Political Reactions
From South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster pledged 200 Guard troops, indicating their presence in D.C. would be established within days. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also committed support, sending 150 troops intended for patrol duties and other security roles in the capital.
According to DeWine, the request for Ohio’s National Guard came from the Secretary of the Army. His office emphasized that the troops will serve to "ensure continued public safety" amid increasing administrative clashes in the District. The nationwide response has added political significance to the D.C. court's decision, which dealt a blow to ongoing efforts from the Trump administration to expand federal reach over the city’s law enforcement activities.
Home Rule Act Becomes Central to Legal Battle
Judge Reyes' opinion focused heavily on the Home Rule Act passed by Congress in 1973, which granted limited autonomy to the District of Columbia. She noted that while the president may propose coordination with local officers, control of the police department remains the jurisdiction of the mayor. D.C. Attorney General Schwalb praised the verdict as a crucial affirmation of the city’s right to self-govern. “Chief Smith remains in control of the police department under the supervision of the mayor,” Schwalb said. He added that it was “a very important win for Home Rule today.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice indicated it would revise the emergency order that appointed Terry Cole as temporary commissioner. Officials there have not disclosed the timeline or nature of the possible changes to that directive.
Judge to Hear Further Arguments on Federal Authority
Judge Reyes is expected to address two critical legal questions in the coming weeks: first, whether the current circumstances meet the threshold for a federal emergency; and second, whether D.C.’s police are being used primarily to benefit federal enforcement agencies.
These inquiries could shape the broader implications of the Home Rule Act and potentially set National Guard deployments to follow the D.C. police control ruling for future disputes over control of city services in the capital. The administration’s use of military and law enforcement authority in D.C. has become a recurring issue during previous years, resurfacing as a flashpoint during moments of civil unrest and political dissent.
Wider Implications Linger After National Guard Moves
As troops begin assembling for deployment, local leaders and civil rights groups are raising new questions about the role of the military in domestic civic affairs, particularly in the nation’s capital, which lacks full voting representation in Congress. Though city officials have not directly opposed the troop deployments, they have reiterated that D.C.'s governance structures must be respected and not overridden without lawful cause.
While the court's decision has temporarily preserved local control over the police department, the combination of legal battles and increased federal presence continues to fuel unease on both sides of the political divide.
