The general in charge of National Guard troops currently deployed to Washington, D.C., instructed those under his command to “winterize” and prepare for a “long term persistent presence” in the District, according to a previously unreported email released as part of a court filing last week.
Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II said that while the current mission is set to expire on Nov. 30, an extension could be issued that may include next summer’s “America 250” celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary.
“That will be a factor in determining the future of the mission,” he wrote in the email to other National Guard leaders coordinating the deployment.
Blanchard also instructed the officials to purchase cold-weather equipment for soldiers for the coming winter months. “Ranging from heating spaces in the AO to personal gear that will ensure comfort and safety during shifts, we want to get ahead of these issues,” he wrote. “We know that everybody will run out and purchase winter gear once the first cold snap hits. We aim to be ahead of that so we do not run into a shortage/unavailable issue.”
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The email, first reported by The 51st’s Martin Austermuhle, was released as part of D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking to end the deployment. In the filing, District lawyers make the argument that the National Guard troops are engaging in “a long-term law enforcement operation,” which it called “a grave incursion on [the District’s] sovereignty.”
A spokesperson for the Joint Task Force in charge of the D.C. deployment confirmed to NOTUS that the deployment was officially extended through Nov. 30, but declined to answer any questions about a potential extension beyond that date.
“The Interim Commanding General extended the encampment for the District of Columbia National Guard through November 30,” the spokesperson said. “The D.C. National Guard remains committed to supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission and working alongside community partners to keep our city safe and welcoming.”
Schwalb first filed the case on Sept. 4, arguing that the “crime emergency” declared by President Donald Trump in August was unwarranted and bound to spark protests.
The White House defended the order, slamming Schwalb for seeking to interfere with the president’s efforts to fight crime.
“This lawsuit is nothing more than another attempt — at the detriment of DC residents and visitors — to undermine the President’s highly successful operations to stop violent crime in DC,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told NOTUS at the time.
Last month, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an executive order instructing the District’s Metropolitan Police Department to coordinate with National Guard and federal law enforcement officials on an indefinite basis.
She later clarified that the order “does not extend the federal emergency” but “lays out a framework to exit this period.”
Bowser has spoken in support of some aspects of Trump’s efforts, touting a decrease in violent crime since the federalization of public safety efforts in D.C. began. “We think that there’s more accountability in the system, or at least perceived accountability in the system, that is driving down illegal behavior,” Bowser said at an August press conference.
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