November 21, 2025
Judge gives Trump administration weeks to appeal before enforcing ruling that found deployment unconstitutional
Federal Judge Jia Cobb ruled on Nov. 21, 2025, that Trump lacks authority to deploy National Guard troops to Washington DC "for the deterrence of crime.
" The ruling declares the deployment illegal but postpones enforcement until Dec. 11 to allow Trump administration time to appeal.
Trump deployed National Guard soldiers to DC in early 2025. The Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority over the District of Columbia.
The ruling addresses separation of powers and federalism questions about presidential military authority in the nation's capital.
The deployment continued after the ruling pending appeal. The judge found Trump exceeded his constitutional and statutory authority by using military forces for domestic law enforcement without congressional authorization.
Federal Judge Jia Cobb ruled Nov. 21, 2025, that Trump lacks constitutional and statutory authority to deploy National Guard troops to Washington DC 'for the deterrence of crime.' The Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority over the District of Columbia under Article I Section 8. Trump deployed National Guard soldiers to DC in early 2025 without congressional authorization.
Judge Cobb declared the deployment illegal but postponed enforcement until Dec. 11 to allow Trump administration time to appeal. The deployment continued after the ruling pending appeal. Trump claimed DC crime rates justified military presence. The ruling found Trump exceeded presidential military authority by using armed forces for domestic law enforcement.
The Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits using federal military forces for domestic law enforcement. DC's unique status as federal district creates constitutional questions about military deployment. Trump bypassed Congress to station troops in the capital. The judge found no statutory exception allowing the deployment.
U.S. District Court Judge, District of Columbia
President of the United States
civic action
Contact DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton about court ruling
DC's delegate can file motions supporting the ruling and demanding troop withdrawal