National Guard Deployments Cost: Over $1 Billion Projection

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Members of the National Guard stand at the Martin Luther King, jr.
President Trump's unprecedented use of the National ⁣Guard could cost $1.1 billion this year if domestic deployments remain in place, according to data released ⁤by the nonpartisan Congressional...
During his second term, Trump sent troops to six Democratic-led cities in an effort⁣ to suppress protests, tackle crime or protect federal buildings and personnel.

Original source: npr.org

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Members of the National Guard stand at the Martin Luther King, jr. Memorial on ⁤Jan. 19 in washington, D.C.

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⁣ Al Drago/Getty ⁣Images North America
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⁣ Al Drago/Getty Images North⁣ America

President Trump’s unprecedented use of the National ⁣Guard could cost $1.1 billion this year if domestic deployments remain in place, according to data released ⁤by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget‍ Office.

During his second term, Trump sent troops to six Democratic-led cities in an effort⁣ to suppress protests, tackle crime or protect federal buildings and personnel. half of those mobilizations ended this month,⁣ namely in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland, Ore. But the continued military presence in Washington, D.C., Memphis and New Orleans, along with 200 members⁤ of the Texas National Guard ⁢ still on standby, is expected ⁢to⁣ carry a steep cost.

urged the‍ budget office ⁤to conduct an independent probe into deployment costs.

“It’s a massive use of national treasure that should be going into healthcare, housing and education,” Merkley told NPR on wednesday.

The White House ⁢did not respond ⁣to a request for comment.

For months, the Trump governance has offered little facts about the price⁢ tag associated with the Guard operations. The CBO’s findings on Wednesday come as Trump’s use of National Guard troops has already faced legal scrutiny in the courts and sparked serious conversations about soldiers’ morale.

In 2025, $496 million spent on domestic deployments

Table of Contents

In 2025, $496 million spent on domestic deployments

U.S. Assistance to Ukraine
- Foreign⁤ Assistance ⁢Framework
Congressional ⁤Considerations and Potential Funding Requests
- Senate Appropriations Committee

Trump first deployed the Guard in June to Los Angeles in response to protests over immigration raids. In the months that followed, the president ordered troops to D.C. ⁢ and Memphis, arguing that they were needed to crack down on crime. Guard forces were⁢ also mobilized to Chicago and ‍Portland, Ore., after the⁢ administration said they were needed to protect federal buildings and personnel, though they were blocked by federal courts from conducting operations. Most recently, at ⁣the end of December, troops arrived in New Orleans after republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry requested federal assistance to improve public safety.

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$193 million⁢ in Los Angeles

$223 million in D.C.

$33 million ‍in Memphis

$26 million in Portland,Ore.

$21 million in Chicago

The⁣ cost for a single service member – which includes pay, health care, lodging, food and transportation – ranges from $311 to $607 per day,⁢ the budget office⁢ said.

At large, the nation’s defense budget will surpass $1 trillion for the first⁢ time in U.S. history consequently of Trump’s One Big Beatiful Bill Act.⁣ But Gabe Murphy, a policy analyst from the nonpartisan budget watchdog Taxpayers ⁣for Common Sense, said the deployments’ multimillion-dollar price tag shouldn’t be overlooked.

“ No one wants⁣ to see their tax dollars wasted,” ⁤he said.

Murphy argued that using federalized Guard members to tackle crime, like in D.C. and Memphis, is not cost-effective since they are not allowed to conduct actual law enforcement duties, such as performing arrests or searches. He added ‍that deploying the guard is ⁤not a long-term solution to reducing crime.

“It‍ would be far more cost ⁢effective to invest in local ⁣law enforcement,” he said.

Trump‍ has repeatedly defended the use⁣ of troops, asserting that cities with a Guard presence⁢ have become safer.

“Can’t imagine why governors wouldn’t want us to help,” Trump said at a press conference on Jan. 3.

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Potential Additional Funding⁤ for US Aid to Ukraine

The United States may require additional funding to continue providing aid to Ukraine, according⁣ to a recent statement.This comes⁤ as existing allocated funds are nearing depletion amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

U.S. Assistance to Ukraine

The United states has been a⁤ leading⁣ provider of security assistance to Ukraine since the start ⁣of the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022. As of December 6, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration has committed over $61.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.

The need for additional funding arises from the sustained and escalating nature of the conflict. Initial aid packages are being tired, and continued support is considered vital by the Biden administration to enable Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On December 6, 2023,‍ the White House announced a security assistance⁢ package valued at⁢ $175 million, utilizing funds from previously authorized appropriations. The Department of Defense confirmed ‍this package includes air defense munitions, ⁤artillery rounds,⁤ anti-tank ‍weapons, and other critical equipment.

Foreign⁤ Assistance ⁢Framework

U.S. foreign assistance to⁤ ukraine operates ⁣under a complex framework⁣ involving multiple agencies and funding mechanisms. The Department of State, through⁤ the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) ⁣program, provides financial assistance ‍for Ukraine ⁣to procure U.S.defense equipment. The Department ‍of Defense manages security assistance ⁣through programs ‍like the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

The ⁢USAI program, in particular,⁤ has been instrumental in providing Ukraine with longer-term capabilities. Though, funding for USAI is⁤ subject to Congressional appropriations, and the current allocated funds are limited.

Such as, the ⁣Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (Public⁢ Law 117-328) provided important funding for Ukraine assistance, but these ⁢funds are being utilized rapidly. The full text of the bill details‍ the specific allocations for ⁢various assistance programs.

Congressional ⁤Considerations and Potential Funding Requests

The Biden ⁤administration⁣ is expected to formally request additional funding from ⁣Congress in the coming months. The amount of the⁤ request is currently unknown,but ⁣analysts anticipate it will be considerable,perhaps exceeding $60 billion.

Congressional debate over further aid to ukraine is highly likely⁤ to be ⁤contentious. Some lawmakers have expressed concerns⁢ about the cost of the aid and the need to prioritize domestic issues. Others strongly ‍support continued assistance, arguing it is vital⁣ for ⁢U.S. national security interests and ‍to deter further Russian aggression.

As of January 26, 2024,⁣ negotiations⁢ in Congress regarding a supplemental funding package including aid to Ukraine were stalled due to disagreements over border security provisions.NBC News reported on the⁢ ongoing impasse.

Senate Appropriations Committee

The Senate Appropriations Committee plays ⁢a⁢ crucial role in reviewing⁢ and approving funding requests for foreign assistance. The committee will⁢ hold hearings to assess the administration’s justification for additional aid and to consider potential amendments to the funding package.

The House Appropriations Committee will also be involved in the process. Any funding bill must pass both chambers of Congress before being sent to the President for signature.

On January 28, 2024, Senate Majority Leader Chuck‍ Schumer stated that the⁢ senate would proceed with a ‍vote on the ⁤supplemental funding bill, even without a bipartisan agreement on border security.

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