A retired Army captain has filed a $3 million claim against the U.S. government, alleging that National Guard members used excessive force during a confrontation outside her Washington, D.C., home.
The National Guard Assault Claim was filed by retired Capt. Anna King, 44, who says members of the Idaho National Guard pushed her to the ground and restrained her without proper explanation. The claim was submitted against the Defense Department this week.
According to the filing, the incident happened on May 8 outside King’s home on New York Avenue NW. King said she was sitting on a bench near her home at around 7:05 p.m. when three National Guard members approached her.
The claim states that the service members told King they were taking her into custody. However, her legal team said they did not provide a warrant or explain the reason for the detention.
King alleges that the guardsmen grabbed her arms and pushed her toward a concrete patio. She said two members held her down and placed plastic handcuffs on her wrists tightly.
The filing claims King experienced pain during the restraint and repeatedly asked the guardsmen for help. Her legal team said she was kept on the ground for several minutes while officers did not loosen the restraints.
The National Guard Assault Claim states that one guard member placed pressure on her back while another held the handcuffs. The filing says King remained face down on the concrete until additional National Guard members arrived.
King also said she asked why she was being detained but did not receive an answer. She later complained about shoulder pain and requested that the handcuffs be adjusted.
A local police officer allegedly told one of King’s neighbors that she was suspected of assaulting a National Guard member several days earlier. However, King’s legal team said the accusation was false and that no charges have been filed against her.
King said she had been publicly criticizing the National Guard’s presence in Washington, D.C. She displayed signs outside her home that questioned the deployment and expressed opposition to the military presence.
Her attorneys argue that the confrontation was connected to her public statements and signs rather than any criminal activity. The claim states that her criticism of the deployment was protected speech.
A Defense Department official declined to comment on the allegations. The department said it does not discuss ongoing legal matters.
The dispute comes after the federal government increased National Guard deployments in several U.S. cities. Officials said the deployments were aimed at supporting efforts to address crime and public safety concerns.
National Guard units were sent to locations including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland, Oregon. The Defense Department has also announced plans for the National Guard presence in Washington, D.C., to continue through 2029.
King’s background includes military service in Iraq. According to the claim, she received several honors for her service, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
The former Army captain is now seeking compensation for what she describes as an unlawful and harmful encounter. The $3 million claim is an early step in the legal process and could lead to further action if the government does not resolve the matter.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the National Guard members involved have not publicly responded to the claims. The case will continue through the federal claims process as officials review the complaint.
The National Guard Assault Claim has raised questions about the use of force, the treatment of military veterans, and the balance between public safety duties and individual rights.
Further details may become available as the review moves forward. The outcome of the claim could determine whether additional legal proceedings take place.
