Trump's National Guard Deployments Cost Estimated at $1.1 Billion

CBO report details the high price tag of the president's use of federalized troops in U.S. cities

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:07pm

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According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, President Donald Trump's use of federalized National Guard troops in U.S. cities is projected to have cost roughly $496 million last year, and if current troop levels are maintained, the deployments could cost as much as $1.1 billion this year. The costs vary widely by location and troop levels, ranging from $6 million for 350 Guard members in New Orleans to $55 million for nearly 2,950 personnel in Washington, D.C.

Why it matters

Trump's extensive use of the National Guard in cities across the country, including Democratic-led cities, has drawn criticism from lawmakers over the high costs and legal questions around the deployments. The CBO report provides a detailed breakdown of the financial toll, underscoring concerns about the president's approach.

The details

The CBO estimates include troop pay, hotel lodging, and meals, but do not account for longer-term costs such as education benefits, disability compensation, and the use of equipment and military vehicles. The report notes that the costs are highly uncertain due to the unpredictable scale, length, and location of the deployments, as well as legal challenges that have stopped deployments to some cities.

  • In 2026, the CBO estimates the National Guard deployments could cost $1.1 billion.
  • In 2025, the deployments cost an estimated $496 million.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who ordered the extensive use of federalized National Guard troops in U.S. cities.

Jeff Merkley

The top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, who requested the CBO analysis.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

The nonpartisan federal agency that provided the cost estimates for the National Guard deployments.

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What they’re saying

“The American people deserve to know how many hundreds of millions of their hard-earned dollars have been and are being wasted on Trump's reckless and haphazard deployment of National Guard troops to Portland and cities across the country.”

— Jeff Merkley, Senator, Senate Budget Committee

What’s next

The CBO report is likely to fuel further scrutiny and debate over the president's use of the National Guard, with lawmakers and the public demanding more transparency and accountability around the high costs.

The takeaway

Trump's extensive deployment of the National Guard in cities across the country has come at a staggering financial cost, with the CBO estimating it could reach $1.1 billion this year. This underscores the need for greater oversight and justification for the use of these federal troops, especially in Democratic-led cities where the deployments have faced legal challenges.