WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A federal appeals court on Thursday, December 4, granted President Donald Trump a temporary victory in his bid to keep National Guard troops stationed in Washington, halting a lower court ruling that would have forced their withdrawal in the coming days, says a Newsweek report.
In a brief order, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit lifted an injunction requiring the troops to leave the capital by December 11.
The move allows Trump to continue a deployment he launched this summer and expanded after the November 26 shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. The order came in a lawsuit filed by District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who argues the president has overstepped his authority by using the Guard for domestic policing. Newsweek reached out to Schwalb’s office for comment via email and the Department of Justice via its contact form on Thursday afternoon.
Why It Matters
Thursday’s ruling is the latest in a back-and-forth between the courts, the Trump administration, and its critics in recent months over federal deployments to cities around the country. The president has argued that federalizing the National Guard is necessary to tackle rising crime, including in Washington, D.C., despite local leaders insisting figures have been on the decline.
Appeals Court Judges Patricia Millett, an Obama appointee, and Trump appointees Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao, granted the Trump administration’s plea for an administrative stay, pending any further orders by the court. The order said this was not to be taken as a ruling on the merits of Cobb’s motion.
For the Trump administration, this allows the current operation to continue in Washington, D.C., which in part is aiding in its immigration crackdown.
(Source: Newsweek)
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