As most government activities remain shut down in Washington D.C. due to budget gridlock, the National Guard remains on patrol across the nation’s capital.

As court rulings shift “hour by hour,” experts say city officials must build a united front with law enforcement, businesses and communities — before troops arrive.

The National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., could be extended into the summer of 2026, according to a new court filing and emails of National Guard leaders

In a suit filed in federal court, attorneys for Sam O’Hara, 35, of Washington, said he would regularly protest the National Guard’s presence by walking several feet behind them and playing the march also known as "Darth Vader's Theme," from "The Empire Strikes Back," the second film in the "Star Wars" series, when he saw them in the community.

For the Washington, D.C., contingent of the National Guard deployed to the nation’s capital, it marked their 119th beautification project since the unit was called up in August as part of President Donald Trump’s federal law enforcement intervention.

House Democratic leaders, led by Reps. Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia, are launching an investigation into President Trump's reported demand that the Justice Department pay him $230 million in compensation for federal investigations into him.