September 4, 2025
No matter how you feel about President Trump sending the National Guard to cities around the country and regardless of whether what he’s doing is even legal or not, the fact is – it’s costing you money. And a lot of it.
Some of you may think this is money well spent and other may think it’s not. Everyone gets to have their own opinion about that– but I’m only interested in the facts and the numbers. Which I’m going to share with you right now.
Let’s start with trump’s mobilization of 4000 members of the California national guard and 700 Marines to assist in his ICE immigration crack down back in June. During that mobilization – according to a recent ruling by a federal judge the facts are – those members of the military were not just protecting federal property and personnel, the judge also found evidence that they were conducting domestic law enforcement functions like taking protesters into custody and detaining them and they joined the DEA on efforts to target “illegal narcotics activity” in two California cities.
The judge found those efforts began around June 7th when the president signed an order that federalized those National Guard troops. And the bulk of those military members started to go home in mid-July. According to an announcement made today by California’s Governor, that month ana half cost the American taxpayers a total of almost $120 million.
$71 million dollars was spent on food and other basic necessities for more than 4200 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines.
$37 million was spent on payroll.
$4 million was spent on logistics supplies.
$3.5 million was spent on travel and $1.5 million was spent on demobilization.
According to the governor – these numbers came directly from the California National Guard – which of course – the governor is the commander in chief for. The governor’s office said that they requested these numbers from the Trump administration but they so far have refused to turn them over.
It’s important for you to understand — because these Guardsmen and Marines were federalized – that means the nearly $120 million came from federal tax dollars. That’s your money. Money that could have been spent on any number of things. Do you think was it spent well? Again – that’s for you to decide.
And while you’re thinking about that – keep in mind it’s not just that $120 million you’re on the hook for – that tab is still running because the efforts in California aren’t the only ones going on.
On August 11th the president signed another executive order that mobilized the Washington DC National Guard and then several other governors sent their troops to DC engage in crime fighting efforts. Right now – there are about 2200 guardsmen along with other federal law enforcement officers on the ground. But all of them have been federalized. That means you are paying for them too.
Of course some of them are engaged in crime fighting efforts which the Washington DC Mayor says have been helping. But lots of those military members are just walking around DC and being visible in popular tourist destinations to deter crime from happening. They are also participating in what the White House calls “beautification projects.” That means our National Guard troops who are usually responding to crises here at home like hurricanes or wildfires or being deployed overseas in combat roles and peacekeeping missions are now picking up trash, raking leaves and laying mulch.
So how much is that costing you? Well – the White House has not released an official cost break down — but experts say the price tag on the low end is $1 million dollars a day. So simple math – they’ve been in DC for 24 days –that means so far the efforts have cost you $24 million. And there is no sign of Trump pulling these military members out – in fact – he’s talking about sending the guard to other states. Which means these costs are going to keep racking up.
Read the numbers here.
