Nov 26, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Trump files emergency appeal to keep National Guard in D.C. after shooting

Julianna Bragg

Two National Guard soldiers stand amid caution tape and emergency vehicles — Two members of the National Guard at the scene where two officials were shot and critically injured near the White House on Nov. 26, 2025. Photo: Celal Gunes/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Trump administration filed an emergency motion Wednesday asking a federal appeals court to halt a judge's ruling from last week that deemed the president's deployment of the National Guard to D.C. unlawful.

The big picture: The filing came after two National Guard members were shot and critically injured just minutes from the White House, though the motion did not cite the attack as a reason for the administration's request.

After the shooting, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that President Trump requested 500 additional National Guard members be sent to the nation's capital to keep D.C. "safe and beautiful."
An Army official, speaking on background, told Axios the order had been received and the branch had plans to "rapidly execute" what Trump asked for.

State of play: U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb paused her ruling last week until Dec. 11 to give the administration time to appeal.

In Wednesday's appeal, the administration argued the deployment was "plainly lawful," asserting that the president's role as commander-in-chief grants him the authority to deploy National Guard forces to the nation's capitol, even without explicit approval.
The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to Axios' Wednesday evening request for comment.

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Trump files emergency appeal to keep National Guard in D.C. after shooting

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