A federal appeals court panel pressed the Trump administration on Tuesday over its long-running deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. Three judges questioned whether the mission, now more than a year old, can legally continue without clear limits. The case tests how far presidential power extends over domestic military operations.
Thousands of Guard members have patrolled the capital since the deployment began. The troops were sent under federal authority, a move that drew immediate legal challenges. Critics argue the presence has turned a temporary security measure into an open-ended occupation.
During oral arguments, the judges focused on the absence of any stated end date. One judge asked what would stop the deployment from lasting years or even decades. Government lawyers defended the operation as necessary for protecting federal property and public safety.
The administration maintains that the president holds broad authority to deploy troops in the capital. Justice Department attorneys cited ongoing security concerns as justification. They argued that courts should defer to the executive branch on military decisions.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs countered that the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act. That law generally bars federal troops from domestic law enforcement. They said the patrols have effectively turned soldiers into a police force without congressional approval.
The panel appeared skeptical of the government’s position on duration. Judges noted that the original rationale for the deployment has not been tied to any specific threat. Without clear benchmarks, they suggested, the mission could become permanent by default.
A ruling is expected in the coming weeks. The outcome could set a precedent for how future presidents use military forces inside the United States. Both sides have signaled they will appeal further if the decision goes against them.
