By Keerthi Ramesh
President Donald Trump’s use of federal troops in U.S. cities during 2025 cost American taxpayers nearly $500 million, according to a new analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The figure underscores both the financial and political stakes of deploying military forces on domestic soil, an uncommon move in recent American history.
According to the CBO, operations that placed National Guard and active-duty Marines in cities from coast to coast, including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Memphis and others totaled approximately $496 million through the end of last year. While many of those missions have scaled back or ended, several remain active, and continued deployments could push the tab past $1 billion this year.
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In letters and briefings to lawmakers, CBO Director Phillip Swagel detailed the cost breakdowns, noting that Washington’s deployment alone accounted for more than $220 million, with thousands of Guard members stationed in the nation’s capital for months. Los Angeles, where troops were sent in response to protests tied to immigration enforcement actions, accounted for roughly $193 million in costs.
For many residents, the sight of soldiers patrolling city streets and federal buildings was jarring a reminder of how sharply domestic security has shifted in recent years. “It feels strange seeing troops on sidewalks like this,” said D.C. resident Mariah Jackson, who works near the National Mall. “I understand safety is important, but this feels like something out of a movie.”
Trump and his allies argue that the deployments helped deter violent crime and protect federal property. “We deployed necessary forces to keep Americans safe,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson in a statement responding to the CBO figures, adding that city leaders have seen measurable declines in key crime categories.
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But critics from both parties have painted a starkly different picture. Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon called the mobilizations “reckless and wasteful,” asserting that they undermined local law enforcement authority and siphoned funds from community-based solutions. Legal challenges in several jurisdictions, including a federal ruling that blocked part of the Los Angeles deployment as unlawful, highlighted ongoing tension between federal power and city autonomy.
Beyond the political debate, the cost estimates also reflect practical limitations. the CBO cautioned that future spending is “highly uncertain,” depending on how long troops remain in place and where additional deployments might occur. Monthly costs for a 1,000-person National Guard contingent, for example, can range from $18 million to $21 million, depending on location and living costs.
As cities grapple with questions of crime, governance and public safety, the debate over using military force at home is likely to continue well into the 2026 election year. For many Americans, the discussion now includes not just costs in dollars, but costs in trust and civic identity raising questions about the role of the armed forces in everyday life.