The Trump administration's deployment of military troops to US cities has already cost taxpayers half a billion dollars, according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). This expenditure is projected to rise to over $1 billion if current deployments continue.
Since taking office in 2025, President Trump has deployed active-duty troops and National Guard members to occupy six Democratic-led cities. The deployments have been justified as necessary for various reasons, including quelling dissent, assisting anti-immigration efforts, protecting federal buildings and personnel, and addressing crime. However, critics argue that these measures amount to an authoritarian takeover of the US government.
The CBO report reveals that the deployment in Washington D.C. alone is projected to exceed $660 million this year if it runs through December. The troops have been tasked with rousting the homeless, cleaning up parks, and painting over graffiti, rather than addressing actual security concerns.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has condemned the use of military force for domestic law enforcement, stating that it is a disrespect to the service of National Guard members and Marines. The Intercept has reported that Trump's administration has kept details about domestic troop deployments secret, despite repeated requests for comment.
The Congressional Budget Office report comes as part of an October 17 request from a group of senators, including Warren and Tammy Duckworth. They argued that taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent on Trump's authoritarian campaign.
Critics argue that the use of military force for domestic law enforcement amounts to a post-truth America where truth and facts are subjugated to power. The Intercept has reported that corporate news outlets have cowered under pressure, becoming accessories in Trump's project to create a post-truth America.
In response, The Intercept is seeking support from its readers to expand its reporting capacity and continue to fight back against this trend of authoritarianism.
Since taking office in 2025, President Trump has deployed active-duty troops and National Guard members to occupy six Democratic-led cities. The deployments have been justified as necessary for various reasons, including quelling dissent, assisting anti-immigration efforts, protecting federal buildings and personnel, and addressing crime. However, critics argue that these measures amount to an authoritarian takeover of the US government.
The CBO report reveals that the deployment in Washington D.C. alone is projected to exceed $660 million this year if it runs through December. The troops have been tasked with rousting the homeless, cleaning up parks, and painting over graffiti, rather than addressing actual security concerns.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has condemned the use of military force for domestic law enforcement, stating that it is a disrespect to the service of National Guard members and Marines. The Intercept has reported that Trump's administration has kept details about domestic troop deployments secret, despite repeated requests for comment.
The Congressional Budget Office report comes as part of an October 17 request from a group of senators, including Warren and Tammy Duckworth. They argued that taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent on Trump's authoritarian campaign.
Critics argue that the use of military force for domestic law enforcement amounts to a post-truth America where truth and facts are subjugated to power. The Intercept has reported that corporate news outlets have cowered under pressure, becoming accessories in Trump's project to create a post-truth America.
In response, The Intercept is seeking support from its readers to expand its reporting capacity and continue to fight back against this trend of authoritarianism.
the fact that they're using our tax payers money to paint over graffiti and clean up parks instead of actually addressing security concerns is just wild 
meanwhile these troops are getting deployed left and right without anyone knowing all the deets 
its like trump's trying to create this cult of personality where he's above the law and we're just gotta deal with it 
what's even more mind blowing is that corporate news outlets are being intimidated into not speaking out about it 
I mean think about it, half a billion bucks just for troops to roust homeless folks and clean up parks? It's like we're paying them to not pay attention to real problems 
This whole thing just seems like more of the same old Trump antics, playing hard man but really just getting in the way 
. We need some actual solutions to our problems instead of just throwing money at it 
meanwhile we're living in a world where police brutality runs rampant and we got enough problems without military troops patrolling our cities 
This whole thing is so extra... I mean, $660 million for just painting over graffiti? 
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. Are we using our resources effectively? Or are we just throwing money at problems because they're loud enough to get attention? 
. As citizens, it's up to us to hold our leaders accountable for how they spend our money and ensure that we're using it for the greater good. No more justifying authoritarian tactics under the guise of "keeping order" 
? It's not like there are more pressing issues to tackle, right? And I'm sure it has nothing to do with Trump's agenda or anything 
. I do wonder what other creative ways our tax dollars will be used this year... maybe a special task force to roust out the homeless and serve them some hot meals? 
and it's crazy that corporate news outlets are just going along with it instead of speaking truth to power 
And I don't get why the homeless are being rousted if it's not an actual security concern... seems kinda exploitative 
AND WHAT'S WITH THE SECRECY AROUND TROOP DEPLOYMENTS?! TRUST US, WE NEED TO KNOW THE REAL REASON BEHIND THESE MOVES!!! 
. Like, shouldn't we be focusing on actual security concerns instead of just trying to assert power? And honestly, who's paying for this? It's already cost taxpayers half a billion dollars, and it's only gonna get worse from here 
. They're really exposing what's going on behind the scenes and calling out Trump's administration for its BS. I'm all for it 
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meanwhile tax payers are getting screwed 
. I mean, half a billion dollars just for some "security" efforts? That's wild! And what really gets my goat is that it's all under the guise of "quelling dissent". Like, come on guys, can't we have some actual discussion around here without resorting to troops and propaganda? 
The whole thing feels like a bad 1984 movie. I'm not saying the homeless situation in D.C. isn't a problem, but do we really need 600+ troops for that?! 
. Like, I get it, safety and all that, but half a billion dollars already? That's wild 
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Let's not let fear and power grab us down, okay?
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This whole thing is just a massive abuse of taxpayer dollars and a blatant disregard for our democratic institutions. We need to get behind The Intercept and demand some real transparency from this administration 
Senator Warren is on point when she says using military force for domestic law enforcement is a huge disrespect to National Guard members and Marines.