As the Pentagon defends the contentious 60-day operation in the face of growing protests, President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles will come at a cost to American taxpayers of $134 million. 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard members have been ordered to support law enforcement. The operation was defended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in spite of California officials’ protests.
Military Deployment Details and Costs
The Pentagon has confirmed that President Donald Trump’s deployment of military forces to Los Angeles will cost approximately $134 million over the planned 60-day operation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed these figures to House lawmakers while defending the administration’s decision to send 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to assist law enforcement in the city. The substantial costs include expenses for travel, lodging, and meals for the deployed personnel, with funding drawn from existing operations and maintenance accounts in the defense budget.
The military operation comes in direct response to ongoing protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which have intensified in recent days. According to Pentagon officials, the deployment aims to restore order and ensure the safety of federal agents, particularly those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who have become targets of the demonstrations. The scale of the operation reflects the administration’s assessment of the situation’s severity and their determination to maintain federal authority.
Cost cutting measures here & there only to spend them showing us who’s boss
My hero 👎National Guard, Marine deployment in Los Angeles costs $134 million: Pentagon
Source: USA TODAY https://t.co/hwuyRbTDi9— Michelle (@caseymicheller) June 10, 2025
State and Federal Tensions Escalate
California state officials have strongly opposed the military presence, creating a significant clash between state and federal authorities. Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have publicly stated that the troops are unnecessary and unwelcome, arguing that local law enforcement is capable of managing the situation. The conflict has escalated to legal action, with California filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming the deployment violates state sovereignty and represents federal overreach into matters that should be handled locally.
Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the use of active-duty military personnel for what they consider a law enforcement issue. During congressional hearings, they questioned Secretary Hegseth about the legal justification for the deployment and expressed worries about potential escalation if military forces engage with civilian protesters. Despite these objections, the Defense Department maintains that the operation is necessary to protect federal personnel and property from what they characterize as increasingly dangerous demonstrations.
Send the bill to Newsom and the Democratic Party
Pentagon Says Cost of Military Deployment in LA Is $134 Millionhttps://t.co/CIbDkm5On9
— 🇺🇸 Patriotic Barbie 🇺🇸 (@USAProudPatriot) June 10, 2025
Insurrection Act Considerations
President Trump has suggested that some areas of Los Angeles could be considered in a state of insurrection, raising speculation about whether he might invoke the Insurrection Act to expand federal authority in the region. When questioned about this possibility, Trump claimed, without providing evidence, that many protesters are “paid insurrectionists” rather than genuine demonstrators. The Insurrection Act, rarely used in recent decades, would allow the president to deploy military forces for domestic law enforcement purposes without state approval.
The Pentagon has confirmed that the current deployment operates under existing authorities and does not involve the Insurrection Act at this time. However, Secretary Hegseth defended the administration’s right to consider all available options to maintain order. The situation continues to evolve as military personnel establish their presence in Los Angeles, with some units already engaged in supporting federal law enforcement operations. The deployment is scheduled to continue for 60 days unless extended or terminated early by presidential order.