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Van Hollen Bill Seeks to End Presidential Control of D.C. National Guard

September 4, 2025

Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has introduced the "District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act" (S. 2688) that would transfer control of the D.C. National Guard from the president to the mayor of Washington, D.C. The legislation, co-sponsored by 11 Democratic senators, would amend an 1889 law by replacing "President of the United States" with "Mayor of the District of Columbia" throughout the statute. This bill emerges amid ongoing legal disputes between D.C. officials and the Trump administration over the deployment of National Guard troops in the city, including a lawsuit filed by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb claiming the president violated the 1973 Home Rule Act.

Who is affected

  • District of Columbia residents
  • D.C. National Guard members
  • The Mayor of Washington, D.C.
  • Presidents of the United States (current and future)
  • D.C. city officials

What action is being taken

  • Senator Van Hollen has introduced the "District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act" legislation
  • The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against Trump's deployment of National Guard troops
  • D.C. National Guard members have had their orders extended through December
  • Trump is maintaining the deployment of more than 1,000 Guard troops across Washington, D.C.

Why it matters

  • The current law gives the president unilateral authority over the D.C. National Guard rather than local officials
  • Supporters argue the bill would prevent presidents from using the Guard for political purposes
  • The legislation would give D.C. the same National Guard authority that states have
  • The issue highlights broader concerns about D.C.'s lack of autonomy compared to other American cities
  • Past events like the January 6 insurrection demonstrated problems with delayed Guard mobilization due to federal approval requirements

What's next

  • The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer

Van Hollen Bill Seeks to End Presidential Control of D.C. National Guard