Denver Pushes Back on Possible National Guard Deployment
As national debate intensifies over federal military involvement in local policing, Denver leaders are pushing back against the possibility of National Guard deployment in the city.
The move comes after Denver joined an amicus brief supporting California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s use of federal troops in Los Angeles during mass protests. That 2024 deployment, which initially sent over 4,000 troops to the city, was widely criticized for overriding local authority.
Denver joined 26 other local governments in the filing, which argued that Trump had “usurped” local control and risked setting a dangerous precedent by using the National Guard without city or state consent. The brief raised concerns about further deployments, noting Trump has openly considered sending troops to cities like Memphis and Chicago.
The city’s position reflects growing concern that Denver could eventually be targeted for federal intervention. Mayor Mike Johnston and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser have both signaled opposition, warning that such actions undermine state and local control. Weiser also joined a separate multistate brief challenging the Guard’s deployment to Washington, D.C.
Not everyone opposes the idea. Some officials in other states, such as Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, have praised Trump’s approach, claiming cities face “war zone” conditions and need more aggressive intervention. Locally, some Denver residents have echoed similar sentiments online, arguing that a National Guard presence could address rising crime and drug activity.
Trump has not directly indicated plans to send troops to Denver. Colorado currently has 5,500 Guard members. Still, tensions between Denver and the Trump administration run deep, with the city having filed or joined multiple lawsuits over federal immigration enforcement. Denver has also lost significant funding in past years due to its refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
The controversy comes as crime, homelessness, and housing dominate public concerns. A recent Colorado Polling Institute survey found that 44% of Denver voters view homelessness and encampments as the city’s top issue, followed by affordable housing (30%) and crime and public safety (26%). Nearly half of respondents also said they believe Denver lacks adequate police presence.
Whether Denver could face a National Guard deployment remains uncertain, but local leaders are making their stance clear: they want policing decisions left in the hands of state and city officials, not the federal government.
