Trump Guard Deployments Could Total $1.1B in 2026, CBO Warns
President Trump’s National Guard deployments could cost over $1 billion in 2026 if current operations continue, according to a new estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
The projection raises stakes as ongoing missions in cities like Washington, D.C., Memphis and New Orleans remain active, months after similar deployments in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland ended.
CBO data show that the Bureau estimates roughly $93 million per month in additional costs if domestic Guard activations are sustained through the year. Last year, the six city deployments, including troops sent to address protests, crime or protect federal property cost about $496 million in federal funds, CBO figures indicate.
Washington, D.C.’s mission, which includes thousands of Guard members, could by itself reach more than $660 million over 2026 if it runs through December, the report says. This ongoing price tag compounds debate over national priorities, budget strains and the use of military forces domestically.
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“It’s a massive use of national treasure that should be going into healthcare, housing and education,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)
Supporters within the administration argue the deployments help reduce violent crime and protect communities, though independent data on outcomes remain limited and legal challenges persist.
CBO’s cost estimates do not include potential long-term benefits owed to troops or broader economic impacts.
Congressional budget debates and local leadership responses are expected to shape whether these Guard deployments are scaled back or expanded later this year.
The story is ongoing.
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