U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy more than 4,700 troops to Los Angeles — including National Guard units and active-duty Marines — is expected to cost at least $134 million and last for a minimum of 60 days, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Tuesday. The controversial move follows large-scale protests triggered by aggressive federal immigration raids across Southern California.
Speaking to Congress, Hegseth framed the deployment as necessary to counter “rioters, looters and thugs,” asserting that the 60-day timeline signals unwavering federal resolve. Acting comptroller Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell said the cost stems mostly from travel, food, and lodging, and will come from existing operations and maintenance accounts.
The deployment has drawn fierce criticism from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who both accuse the federal government of escalating tensions that local authorities had under control. Bass characterized the troop presence as a federal overreach and suggested L.A. was being used as a “grand experiment” for future takeovers.
Despite ICE’s claims that its raids target criminal undocumented immigrants, advocacy groups and judges have criticized the lack of transparency and due process. Arrests have surpassed 100, with scenes of flash-bang raids in public venues fueling outrage.
L.A. police officials expressed concern over the Marines’ presence, calling it a “significant logistical and operational challenge.” While Marines have no arrest authority, they’ve been assigned to protect federal assets. The use of federal troops without state approval is exceedingly rare and may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, unless justified under the Insurrection Act — a possibility Trump hinted at.
California has responded by suing the federal government for unlawful overreach, marking the most direct constitutional clash between state and federal authority since the civil rights era.
Swifteradio.com
