In a tense session at the House appropriations defense subcommittee, acting Pentagon comptroller Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell laid out a price tag: roughly $134 million to support the deployment of about 4,700 troops\u001a 4,000 from the California National Guard and some 700 Marines\u001a to Los Angeles in response to immigration enforcement protests.
MacDonnell explained this estimate covers housing, travel, and food for the 60-day operation. Broken down, it adds up to around $2.2 million per day and about $475 per service member each day.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the move, telling lawmakers: "We stated very publicly that it's 60 days because we want to ensure that those rioters, looters and thugs on the other side assaulting our police officers know that we're not going anywhere."
On one hand, the operation aims to support local law enforcement and maintain public order. On the other, critics question whether domestic security efforts at this scale offer the best return on investment—and what it means for civil liberties when military forces are deployed on U.S. soil.
For globally minded readers, this case highlights how governments balance public safety, human rights and budgets—debating when and how to use military assets at home. At a time when many nations face social unrest, the real cost of security extends far beyond dollars and cents.
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Pentagon: Deploying Marines, National Guard to LA will cost $134m
cgtn.com
