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Defense

Hegseth Extends D.C. National Guard Deployment Through February

The deployment, which began in August, had already been extended once.

Members of the National Guard patrol the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA via AP

By Amelia Benavides-Colón

October 30, 2025 06:53 p.m.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered National Guard troops to extend their mission in Washington, D.C., through February, according to multiple reports.

Hegseth’s order for more than 2,000 troops from around the country deployed to the District of Columbia was set to expire on Nov. 30, but earlier this week Hegseth issued the extension into 2026.

Hegesth’s order came weeks after NOTUS reported that Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the general in charge of the force deployed to D.C., instructed his troops to prepare to stay through the winter.