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.
Ronaldo Schemidt | Afp | Getty Images
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.
