The Big Price Tag of Using National Guard for Domestic Issues

The National Guard's role in domestic affairs has become a hot topic. Recent data shows that keeping troops in cities like Washington D. C. , Memphis, and New Orleans could cost a lot. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that these deployments could cost around $93 million every month. That's a huge chunk of money, especially when you consider that the operation in D. C. alone could reach $660 million this year. The CBO's findings came after a group of senators asked for an independent look into the costs. They wanted to know how much taxpayer money was being spent on these deployments. The CBO's report shows that the money could be better spent on things like healthcare, housing, and education. The Trump administration has been quiet about the costs of these deployments. But the CBO's report comes at a time when the use of National Guard troops has faced legal challenges and raised questions about the morale of the soldiers.In 2025, the cost of domestic deployments was around $496 million. This includes money spent in cities like Los Angeles, D. C. , Memphis, Portland, and Chicago. The cost for a single service member can range from $311 to $607 per day. That's a lot of money for each soldier. Some experts argue that using the National Guard for domestic issues is not cost-effective. They say that investing in local law enforcement would be a better use of taxpayer money. They also point out that the National Guard is not allowed to conduct actual law enforcement duties, like making arrests or performing searches. The Trump administration has defended the use of troops, saying that cities with a Guard presence have become safer. But critics argue that deploying the Guard is not a long-term solution to reducing crime. If more deployments are ordered, the cost could go up. The CBO estimates that it could cost between $18 million and $21 million for every additional 1, 000 soldiers. Some worry that these expenses will affect funding for other important military priorities.