A federal judge has temporarily halted the deployment of members of the District of Columbia National Guard to assist with security following recent pro-palestinian demonstrations. The preliminary injunction, issued Tuesday, responds to a lawsuit filed by Republican members of Congress alleging the deployment violated the Constitution.
The legal challenge centers on whether the D.C. National Guard can be mobilized without congressional approval, a question with significant implications for the District’s autonomy and the federal government’s authority to respond to unrest in the nation’s capital. over 2,100 National Guard members from D.C. and states including louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama were slated for deployment as of Wednesday, according to the U.S. Army.
The lawsuit, brought by Representative andy Ogles of Tennessee and others, argues the deployment bypassed necessary congressional oversight. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton granted the temporary restraining order,citing concerns over potential constitutional violations. The judge scheduled a hearing for November 21st to further consider the matter.
The planned deployment followed a series of demonstrations in Washington, D.C., related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Federal officials requested the National Guard’s assistance to support law enforcement in managing protests and ensuring public safety. The injunction throws the future of that support into question as the legal battle unfolds.
