Kathmandu— Thousands of National Guard troops were deployed to Washington, DC in August 2025 following a declaration of a crime emergency by President Donald Trump, sparking ongoing debate about the effectiveness and legality of the operation. While federal officials point to potential crime reduction, residents express mixed opinions on the troop presence, with some feeling safer while others view it as an unnecessary use of force and misallocation of resources. Legal challenges continue, questioning whether the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of the military for domestic law enforcement purposes.

Legal Challenges and Political Opposition

DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit in September 2025 arguing that the National Guard deployment was an illegal use of military force. US District Judge Jia Cobb initially ruled to end the deployment in November, but this order was stayed by a federal appeals court as litigation continues. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has also criticized the legality of using the Guard for local law enforcement purposes, stating, “We use the Guard to respond to emergencies… We do not use the Guard to police our local laws.” A Senate investigation authored by Senators Gary Peters and Andy Kim raised concerns about potential harm to trust in law enforcement, politicization of the armed forces, and reduced troop preparedness.

Conflicting Assessments of Impact on Crime

President Trump has claimed that crime rates have dropped 88 percent since the Guard’s arrival, but a report from the Niskanen Center found no significant impact on violent crime. The report noted consistent declines in overall crime predating the deployment and limited effects on “opportunistic” crimes. Richard Hahn, a co-author of the report, explained that National Guard members are best suited as sentinels rather than trained police officers, and their patrol zones have largely focused on tourist areas rather than neighborhoods with high rates of violent crime. Despite 4,636 soldiers currently deployed – including nearly 700 from DC’s own National Guard – reports indicate a limited presence east of the Anacostia River, where some of the city's highest crime rates are located.

Resident Reactions Vary

Opinions among DC residents are sharply divided. Ybonne Coles, a long-time resident and restaurant worker, questioned the value of the deployment, stating, “They ain’t doing nothing but walking… That money could go towards organisations to help people that really need help.” Aaron Taslitz, a teacher and bike courier, expressed feeling safer with the troops present, while acknowledging his preference for military resources being used elsewhere. A service member from the Indiana National Guard deployed in November described taking pride in helping DC citizens, but also admitted to questioning the mission’s purpose at times, particularly during the holiday season when morale was low.

Financial Costs and Future Plans

The initial year of the operation is estimated to have cost $602 million, according to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security. The Pentagon has announced plans to maintain the Guard presence through the end of President Trump’s term, with an additional projected cost of $1.4 billion from October 2026 to January 2029. Concerns about privacy have also been raised regarding the Guard's use of software tools for social media monitoring, including Meltwater, Cision and Palantir Technologies’ Maven Smart System.

The legal battles surrounding the deployment are ongoing, with a federal appeals court currently considering the case brought by DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb. The future of the National Guard presence in Washington, DC remains uncertain as the mission approaches its second year.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.