WASHINGTON – Defense officials said the Pentagon is spending $134 million to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to respond to protests against federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.
Bryn MacDonnell, a special assistant to the secretary of Defense, said the cost for the 60-day deployment for travel, housing and food is coming out of operations and maintenance accounts.
“What’s the justification for using the military for civilian law enforcement purposes in LA?” Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-California, asked at a House Appropriations subcommittee on the Defense Department’s budget. “Why are you sending warfighters to cities to interact with civilians?”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump “believes in law and order.”
“Every American citizen deserves to live in a city that’s safe,” Hegseth said. “We’re proud to do it.”
Aguilar said troops were seen sleeping on floors and not provided food, fuel or water from the Defense Department, reflecting a lack of preparation for the deployment.
“I want to express my severe concern with the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles without consultation with the state of California,” Aguilar said. “Why were we unprepared to provide them basic necessities?”
Hegseth called the criticism “disingenuous” for a hasty deployment and said he was personally monitoring the mission.
“There are moments when you make do as best you can temporarily,” Hegseth said. “We are ensuring they are housed, fed, water capabilities in real time – from my office because I care that much about the California Guard and the Marines.”
