A group of U.S. Senate Democrats have sent a letter to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) seeking a cost analysis of the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to multiple cities nationwide.
President Donald Trump’s orders to send federal personnel into Democrat-run cities and districts including Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, Memphis and Washington D.C. have drawn pushback from critics who have referred to it as fear mongering and politically motivated. Trump suggested Tuesday while in Japan that he may go a step further to ensure “safe cities” remain, according to reports.
The back-and-forth has resulted in legal battles still playing out in courts, with a three-judge appellate panel ruling last week in a 2-1 decision to stay a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut to bar “the federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard service members.”
On Monday, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, led colleagues in their CBO request to analyze the costs of activating, deploying and compensating National Guard personnel, as well as the cost to sustain and maintain these deployments.
The letter, addressed to CBO Director Phillip Swagel, cites “serious fiscal, legal and constitutional concerns” that warrant “close congressional scrutiny.”
“Deploying federalized National Guard units for domestic security operations marks a significant departure from long-standing practice,” the letter reads. “It also carries substantial cost implications that have not been publicly disclosed or formally justified to Congress.
“The American people deserve full transparency regarding how their tax dollars are being used, especially as it pertains to the deployment of military personnel for missions on U.S. soil without a declared emergency or state request.”
The letter was signed by Merkley and Democratic Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Cory Booker (NJ), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Dick Durbin (IL), Andy Kim (NJ), Alex Padilla (CA), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Elizabeth Warren (MA) and Ron Wyden (OR).
A CBO spokesperson said in an automated message that due to the ongoing government shutdown, CBO has been instructed by House and Senate Budget Committees to provide support to address the immediate needs of Congress.
“The agency will continue to publish cost estimates and other publications the Congress requires on its public website,” they added.
“President Trump wants every city across the country to be safe, which is why he has generously offered additional resources—the National Guard—to state and local officials,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Military.com. “Americans are thankful for the National Guard’s dedication and service to protecting our cities and the federal officers who are located there, as they are doing in our nation’s capital.”
‘Cities Are Troubled’
On Tuesday in Japan, as part of his trip to Asia to meet with world leaders, Trump maintained a strong affinity towards deploying additional National Guard troops to other U.S. cities should his administration find it necessary.
“We have cities that are troubled, we can’t have cities that are troubled,” Trump said aboard an aircraft carrier, speaking to troops on the USS George Washington at the Yokosuka Naval Base. “And we’re sending in our National Guard, and if we need more than the National Guard, we’ll send more than the National Guard, because we’re going to have safe cities.”
Trump has exerted his assumed authority to deploy said troops in response to what he and administration officials have claimed are a response for protection for federal agents working for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The president, in an Aug. 11 memorandum explaining the motives for mobilizing the Washington D.C. National Guard, called the area “under siege from violent crime,” adding that “[i]t is a point of national disgrace that Washington, D.C., has a violent crime rate that is higher than some of the most dangerous places in the world.”
Although District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser has criticized the administration for its deployment, a Joint Task Force (JTF) D.C. spokesperson told Military.com earlier this month that National Guard troops will stay in the district and remain “resolute” in its mission.
National Guard in Chicago
The Trump administration seems to have somewhat pulled back on deploying additional National Guard troops to Chicago, Illinois, at least for now.
That’s according to Alderman Andre Vasquez, who represents Chicago’s 40th ward, who told Military.com that he’s more so seen federal agents (ICE) “masked up” in residential communities.
“I think it’s still a bunch of guys with masks kidnapping people off the street,” Vasquez said. “What’s concerning is, you got tear gas being thrown on residential streets. So, at what point does the escalation lead to them justifying larger military action? That’s something we’re all concerned about.
“We’re all doing our best to make sure we’re training people to do things constitutionally, safely, to record information and work through the court systems to make sure we’re holding this government accountable.”
Democrats’ portrayal of ICE has been disputed by Republicans and the Trump administration.
“Our officers are facing a 1,000% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, abusers and gang members. [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem’s message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin previously told Military.com about troops and civilians at odds in Chicago this past weekend.
UPDATED 10/29/25, 12:33 p.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from the White House.
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