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Deploying military forces to Los Angeles to cost US $134 million

11 June 2025 09:01 (UTC +04:00)

A Pentagon official estimated the cost of deploying National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles will be $134 million, APA reports citing CNBC.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that “every American citizen deserves to live in a community that’s safe.”

The troops were deployed to respond to protests over federal immigration enforcement actions in LA.

Members of the California Nationa Guard stand watch outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building on the morning of June 10, 2025, following another day of protests in response to federal immigration operations in Los Angeles. Hundreds of Marines are due to arrive in Los Angeles on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump ordered their deployment in response to protests against immigration arrests and despite objections by state officials.

The 700 troops will join National Guard soldiers, amping up the milit

Members of the California National Guard stand watch outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles, as protests continue in response to federal immigration operations, June 10, 2025.

President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles as immigration-enforcement protests continue will cost about $134 million, a Pentagon official said Tuesday.

Acting Pentagon Comptroller Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell said that estimate is largely based on costs of housing, travel and food for the troops.

McDonnell spoke at a House subcommittee hearing, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was testifying.

She said that the deployment, which as of now comprises 4,000 members of the California National Guard and about 700 Marines, is being funded by the military’s Operation & Maintenance accounts.

Hegseth argued that the deployment of troops was necessary and said it would last 60 days.

“Every American citizen deserves to live in a community that’s safe, and ICE agents need to be able to do their job,” Hegseth said, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.