August 17, 2025
Three more states deploy National Guard to DC as "occupation" criticism mounts
Red state militaries occupy blue city in authoritarian escalation
🛡️National Security📜Constitutional Law🏛️Government
West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio deployed 700 combined National Guard troops to DC on Aug. 17, 2025, bringing total military presence to approximately 1,500 personnel at the time (later growing to 2,600-2,700)
The deployment costs approximately $1 million daily according to expert estimates, funded federally while draining state personnel from emergency response capabilities
DC Council Chairman 
Phil Mendelson officially called the deployments "unnecessary, counterproductive, and illegal" and described it as "a manufactured intrusion on local authority"
DC Attorney General 
Brian Schwalb filed lawsuit Sep. 4, 2025, characterizing the deployment as "involuntary military occupation" violating the Home Rule Act
Federal Judge 
Jia Cobb ruled Nov. 20, 2025 that the deployment exceeded presidential authority and violated DC's Home Rule Act, though ruling was stayed for appeals
Violent crime in DC dropped 35% in 2024 to lowest level in 30 years according to DOJ, contradicting administration's claims of "rampant crime" justifying military deployment
The deployments marked unprecedented peacetime use of multi-state National Guard forces for extended domestic policing in the nation's capital
Constitutional scholars and DC officials argued the deployment violated the Posse Comitatus Act's prohibition on military domestic law enforcement
🛡️National Security📜Constitutional Law🏛️Government
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
Which three states announced National Guard deployments to Washington DC on August 17, 2025?
Q2
How many additional National Guard troops did the three new states contribute to DC operations?
Q3
DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson called the multi-state National Guard deployments an "illegal occupation."
Q4
According to a White House official, National Guard troops were authorized to do what besides monument security?
Q5
By what percentage did DC restaurant reservations drop after Trump's federal takeover?
5 more questions available
Upgrade to Premium to access all practice questions and unlock advanced quiz features.
Upgrade to PremiumThese questions are part of the Three more states deploy National Guard to DC as "occupation" criticism mounts topic. Master this topic by completing the quiz or exploring each question in detail.
Ready to test your knowledge?
Take the full quiz to master this topic and track your progress.
Start Quiz
