West Virginia Lawsuit Challenges National Guard Deployment in D.C.

Mon Nov 10 2025 18:56:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A civic group has filed a lawsuit against the governor of West Virginia, claiming the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., violates state law. The court hearings are causing a whirlwind of legal disputes.

A courtroom in Charleston, West Virginia, is witnessing a legal battle regarding the state's National Guard deployment to D.C. as ordered by President Trump. The West Virginia Citizen Action Group argues that Governor Patrick Morrisey's authorization exceeds his legal limits. The governor's office insists the deployment is federally authorized. While the state contemplates extending the deployment until February, the civic organization claims it undermines their mission.

A court in West Virginia is scheduled to review a lawsuit questioning the legality of deploying the National Guard to patrol Washington, D.C. as directed by President Trump. This marks the third hearing in three weeks related to the governor’s actions amid ongoing crime-fighting initiatives.

The West Virginia Citizen Action Group claims that Governor Patrick Morrisey overstepped his authority by sending up to 300 guard members, alleging that state law allows such deployments only in specific emergency situations. Legal arguments presented aim to block this deployment, asserting that the group is losing focus on its mission of ensuring government accountability.

Judge Richard Lindsay has previously expressed the need for clarity on whether this deployment adheres to the law. Advocates for the state argue that the efforts are under valid federal authorization, as violent crime in D.C. hit a 30-year low, yet Trump’s order continues the presence of National Guard troops in the capital.