Senate Democrats Request Probe of Trump National Guard Deployment Costs in US Cities

Senate Democrats, led by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, have formally requested the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to investigate the financial impact of President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to several U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Portland, and Memphis. The senators are concerned about the substantial costs involved in activating, deploying, compensating, and sustaining these troops, emphasizing that these expenditures have not been publicly disclosed or justified to Congress. They argue that these deployments represent a significant departure from traditional practice, as they involve federalizing the National Guard for domestic security without declared emergencies or state requests. The senators, including prominent figures such as Ron Wyden, Cory Booker, and Elizabeth Warren, stress the need for transparency and a clear understanding of both immediate and long-term budgetary consequences. The deployments have also faced legal challenges, with courts temporarily blocking some troop movements, such as in Portland. Estimates from state officials indicate high costs, with Oregon's deployment potentially costing $10 million and California's summer deployment costing around $118 million, highlighting the fiscal significance of these actions.