The deployment of members of the West Virginia National Guard to Washington, D.C., could extend into early next year.
Both CNN and The Washington Post have reported in recent days that the Trump administration has extended the mission in D.C. through the end of February.
No official or public order reflecting that has come down so far.
In response to a question from West Virginia MetroNews, representatives of the West Virginia National Guard described being prepared to extend the deployment.
“The West Virginia National Guard continues to consult with the Governor’s Office, National Guard Bureau, and the D.C. National Guard about the potential extension of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission beyond November 30, 2025,” said Sgt. First Class Ariana Shuemake, public affairs officer for the Guard.
On August 11, President Donald Trump declared a “crime emergency” for the District of Columbia, and five days later Gov. Patrick Morrisey deployed 300 to 400 members of the West Virginia National Guard for support.
In the meantime, the West Virginia National Guard has been asked to support a significant food distribution effort across the state as federal food aid is in flux during the federal shutdown.
The West Virginia National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. remains active. A few weeks ago, the mission was described as lasting until late November, although Guard representatives made clear that the duration of the mission could evolve.
Whether the governor is operating within his authority to deploy the West Virginia National Guard to patrol Washington, D.C., is the subject of an ongoing Kanawha County court case that is anticipated to result in a ruling when it resumes at 2 p.m. Monday.
The governor’s August announcement noted that the mission would be funded at the federal level. That’s a Title 32 order, typically for natural disasters, where the National Guard remains under the control of the state’s governor but receives pay and benefits from the federal government for federal missions.
As the federal shutdown continues, the situation has brought military pay into question. The West Virginia National Guard’s website has a message noting that military appropriations expired at the conclusion of the federal fiscal year, midnight Sept. 30.
“Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status without pay until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law,” reads the message on the Guard’s landing page.
In mid-October, President Trump signed an order directing the Pentagon to ensure payment of active-duty military personnel, despite the shutdown.
That meant members of the West Virginia National Guard on duty in the District of Columbia were paid through the end of the month.
“In accordance with direction from President Trump and guidance issued by the Department of War, Soldiers and Airmen supporting the D.C. mission have received pay and entitlements through October 31, 2025,” said Shuemake of the West Virginia National Guard.
What will occur for the next pay period is less clear. That’s coming up Nov. 15.
During an October briefing with West Virginia reporters, Senator Shelley Moore Capito said she felt good that members of the West Virginia National Guard on active duty would be paid. The federal government met the Oct. 15 and Oct. 31 pay periods.
Capito, R-W.Va., said during the Oct. 16 briefing that it’s worth continuing the mission to Washington, D.C., although she described the timetable as limited.
“I do believe that they have done a tremendous job here in Washington,” Capito said. “It is a different place, and it’s safer. I think you see the mayor of Washington working with President Trump kind of putting a needle in the balloon of what’s been a big crime problem here,” Capito said.
“I don’t expect them to stay a whole lot longer. I appreciate their service in coming to the nation’s capital.”