(NewsNation) — The District of Columbia is suing the Trump administration in an attempt to block the "unlawful deployment of National Guard troops," D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said Thursday.

The district "did not request or consent to the deployment of National Guard troops," Schwalb said. "Yet there are 2,300 National Guardsmen on our streets in military gear, carrying weapons, and driving armored vehicles. Their deployment to DC violates the Home Rule Act enacted by Congress 52 years ago."

Troops have been on the streets of the nation’s capital since Aug. 12, as part of President Donald Trump’s federal crackdown on crime that included taking control of the local police force and National Guard for 30 days.

Schwalb said the litigation hinges on the Posse Comitatus Act, which p

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