Trump LA Protests: $134M Pentagon Cost
- The Pentagon estimates that President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles, aimed at suppressing protests against immigration raids, will cost $134 million.
- During a House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing, acting Department of Defense Comptroller revealed the cost of the deployment.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the move is part of...
- Hegseth argued that the biden management had underinvested in the military and border control, despite increases in militarized spending under President Joe Biden.
The deployment of troops to Los Angeles by the Trump governance to quell protests carries a staggering $134 million price tag, according to Pentagon estimates. California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticizes the expenditure, highlighting the potential for these funds to bolster wildfire relief efforts instead.Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth defends the move, suggesting a broader militarization strategy. The situation underscores a clash of priorities, with Newsom accusing Trump of authoritarianism in response to budget decisions.The National Guard and Marines are deployed,with Newsom condemning the costs. News Directory 3 provides additional insights on these developments. Considering the ongoing debate over federal spending, how will these decisions impact future disaster relief and homeland security strategies? Discover what’s next.
Trump’s troop deployment to LA protests costs $134M
Updated June 11, 2025
The Pentagon estimates that President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles, aimed at suppressing protests against immigration raids, will cost $134 million. California Governor gavin Newsom has criticized the expenditure, suggesting the money could be better allocated to wildfire recovery efforts.
During a House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing, acting Department of Defense Comptroller revealed the cost of the deployment.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the move is part of a new phase of homeland security, potentially involving wider use of the military to quell protests across the U.S.
Hegseth argued that the biden management had underinvested in the military and border control, despite increases in militarized spending under President Joe Biden. He stated that the National Guard and Reserves are becoming critical for securing the homeland under Trump’s leadership.
The Trump administration has deployed approximately 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests against immigration raids. Hegseth defended the deployment as necessary to protect federal agents, even as those agents have been accused of instigating violence against protesters.
Newsom has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s policies toward California. He condemned the cost of the troop deployment,tweeting that the $134 million should be used for fire recovery in Los Angeles.
Newsom also pointed out that the Trump administration has canceled and threatened to revoke disaster recovery funds, including those earmarked for wildfire recovery. Trump has also floated the idea of abolishing FEMA, despite the agency’s relatively small budget compared to the military.
Trump has maintained that he will not cut military spending,pushing for an annual military budget exceeding $1 trillion. He is also planning a military parade estimated to cost $45 million, while vowing to use “very big force” against any protesters.
Newsom has accused Trump of authoritarianism in response to the troop deployment and budget decisions. “[T]his is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,” Newsom said.
What’s next
The debate over federal spending priorities is expected to continue as California faces ongoing challenges related to wildfires and other disasters, while the Trump administration focuses on militarization and border security.