Pentagon Plans to Extend National Guard in D.C. Until 2029

Daniel Hanson

Summary

Pentagon plans to maintain National Guard presence in D.C. until 2029, pending Defense Secretary's approval.

Why this matters

The extended deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., impacts the city's governance and federal-local dynamics, influencing ongoing debates about autonomy and federal intervention.

The Pentagon intends to extend the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., into early 2029, according to two U.S. officials speaking to ABC News. The plan, finalized last year, is awaiting the signature of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Since August 2025, at least 2,500 National Guard members, many from other states, have been stationed in D.C. following President Donald Trump’s order to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department. The deployment was initially intended to counteract crime, though city leaders argued crime rates had been decreasing since 2023.

The presence of the National Guard remains a point of contention. Critics claim the deployment did not adequately address areas in need of crime prevention and questioned the impact on the city’s autonomy.

Metropolitan Police Department data shows a 27% decrease in crime compared to the previous year, with 11 homicides and 201 assaults with a deadly weapon recorded so far.

Originally scheduled to end in 2025, the National Guard’s deployment was extended through 2026.

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