DOJ calls D.C. Guard deployment successful
United States Department of JusticeDeputy Assistant Attorney General Eric D. McArthur, arguing for the federal government in the D.C. Circuit
DOJ's lawyer told the appeals court the Guard deployment was lawful and called it a success, citing the mayor's acknowledgment that violent crime had fallen.
Responding to
Federal law, including the D.C. militia code, authorizes the National Guard deployments in Washington.
“a striking success, with even the D.C. mayor acknowledging the dramatic decrease in violent crime since the deployments began”
Original text
Reporting
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Trump administration defends D.C. National Guard deployment on appeal
A three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit heard argument on October 14, 2026 in the Trump administration's appeal of a ruling against its National Guard deployment in Washington. Justice Department lawyer Eric McArthur told the court the deployments were lawful under the D.C. militia code and federal law, and called the mission a striking success. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said afterward that using the military to police the city's streets violates the law. District Judge Jia Cobb granted the District a preliminary injunction against the deployment on November 20, 2025. On December 17, 2025, the D.C. Circuit put that order on hold for the rest of the appeal. The panel did not rule at the hearing.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
Court minutes of the October 14, 2026 argument, as mirrored by CourtListener (RECAP). They list Circuit Judges Pillard and Garcia and Senior Circuit Judge Rogers, and name Eric D. McArthur of DOJ as counsel for the federal appellants and Mitchell P. Reich of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General as counsel for the District.
Reporting
About this source
Original hearing reporting quotes DOJ's defense and describes questions to both sides. Oral argument is not a merits decision.
Reporting
About this source
Courthouse News report on the October 14 argument. It names the panel, reports the arguments of Mitchell Reich for the District and Eric McArthur for the government, and gives the December 2025 stay history. Its view of how the panel leaned is the reporter's assessment.
Before the quotation
In remarks reported by FOX 5 DC, McArthur opened the government's October 14 argument by saying the president had ordered the Secretary of Defense to mobilize the D.C. National Guard and to work with governors to bring in Guard units from other states. He said the mission had been, by any measure,
After the quotation
He argued that the deployments were lawful under the D.C. militia code and federal law. He also warned that the District's reading would keep the Guard from missions such as inaugurations, large demonstrations and disaster relief.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Speaking for the government, McArthur defends the deployment under scrutiny as lawful and successful.
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More from this case
Read the full caseSchwalb says D.C. military deployment is unlawful
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The Dispute Index. "DOJ calls D.C. Guard deployment successful". First published: 2026-10-15. Last updated: 2026-10-15. https://disputeindex.com/events/5763-doj-s-lawyer-told-the-appeals-court-the