Federal Spending on National Guard Deployment Exceeds $496 Million in Trump-Era Cities
A recent Congressional Budget Office report has revealed that President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard members to six major US cities cost taxpayers a staggering $496 million through the end of December 2025. The expenditure was primarily attributed to the deployment of approximately 375 Illinois National Guard members to Chicago, as well as another 200 Texas National Guard members sent to Illinois before returning to Texas.
The deployment, which began in October and lasted until January 21, incurred an initial $21 million cost for taxpayers. However, the report also notes that a significant portion of the total expenditure – approximately $4 million per month – is attributed to the remaining mobilized Texas National Guard members who are currently stationed on standby in Texas.
The Supreme Court's December ruling against Trump effectively blocked his efforts to deploy National Guard troops within Illinois until further notice. The decision was based on Trump's attempt to invoke a law requiring assistance from regular military forces, which was deemed insufficient by lower-court judges and the highest court.
The Congressional Budget Office report highlights the significant costs associated with these deployments, estimating that continuing them at their current size would cost $93 million per month. In other cities, such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Memphis, Oregon, and Portland, the expenditures were significantly higher – ranging from $193 million to $26 million.
The lawmakers, who requested this report, have expressed their concerns over what they describe as an "abhorrent violation of the Constitution" and a "harmful diversion of federal resources." Senator Tammy Duckworth views the deployments as an "immense waste of taxpayer dollars," while Senator Dick Durbin labels them "harmful to our military's readiness, morale and resources."
A recent Congressional Budget Office report has revealed that President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard members to six major US cities cost taxpayers a staggering $496 million through the end of December 2025. The expenditure was primarily attributed to the deployment of approximately 375 Illinois National Guard members to Chicago, as well as another 200 Texas National Guard members sent to Illinois before returning to Texas.
The deployment, which began in October and lasted until January 21, incurred an initial $21 million cost for taxpayers. However, the report also notes that a significant portion of the total expenditure – approximately $4 million per month – is attributed to the remaining mobilized Texas National Guard members who are currently stationed on standby in Texas.
The Supreme Court's December ruling against Trump effectively blocked his efforts to deploy National Guard troops within Illinois until further notice. The decision was based on Trump's attempt to invoke a law requiring assistance from regular military forces, which was deemed insufficient by lower-court judges and the highest court.
The Congressional Budget Office report highlights the significant costs associated with these deployments, estimating that continuing them at their current size would cost $93 million per month. In other cities, such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Memphis, Oregon, and Portland, the expenditures were significantly higher – ranging from $193 million to $26 million.
The lawmakers, who requested this report, have expressed their concerns over what they describe as an "abhorrent violation of the Constitution" and a "harmful diversion of federal resources." Senator Tammy Duckworth views the deployments as an "immense waste of taxpayer dollars," while Senator Dick Durbin labels them "harmful to our military's readiness, morale and resources."
i swear i'm not made of money lol anyway back to this national guard thingy... isn't it weird how politicians are always trying to make things sound way more serious than they actually are? all that drama over a few million dollars and some folks gettin all upset about it 
496 million dollars for Trump-era National Guard deployment is wild! 
And it's not even clear what the 'benefit' was for these deployments... was it really worth the cost? 
The fact that Illinois got hit the hardest, with 375 guardsmen deployed and $193 million spent, is insane! 
What kinda planning goes into this stuff? 
I mean, we should be investing in our communities, not blowing cash on troop deployments. 
What else could we've spent that money on? 
According to the Congressional Budget Office report, the estimated monthly cost if these deployments continue at their current size would be $93 million 
It's interesting to see how these numbers vary from city to city.
dont even get me started on the fact that supreme court had to step in lol what a mess... and those senator guys sound super annoyed 
. I mean i no the gov wants 2 keep those cities safe but c'mon can't we just use regular cops or sumthin? 
and what really gets my goat is that the supreme court just told Trump no, you cant use the military for your own personal problems. like come on, dont be so entitled 
i mean, im all for keeping our cities safe, but come on, that much money? and now they're stuck waiting on a supreme court ruling... 
And it's not like the cities are even benefiting from it... 
It's like throwing good money after bad, you know? 
I mean, come on $496 million for Trump-era deployments? That's crazy! 
It feels like we're just patching up symptoms instead of tackling the root causes. 
. I don't know, maybe I'm just thinking about this from the wrong angle? The fact that Illinois cost more than Texas is kinda weird though... did we really need that much extra help in Chicago 
And now they're getting paid by taxpayers while chillin' back home, which is just wild. 
It's not like it was worth the cost, right?