Costly Report Reveals shocking expenses tied to pivotal shifts in national security strategy
A recent report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has brought to light a staggering $496 million expenditure linked to the deployment of U.S. military assets for domestic law enforcement during the mid-2025 period. This revelation underscores a concerning shift in national security strategies, revealing costs associated with deploying troops to key American cities as part of an effort to bolster law enforcement capabilities.
The report highlights that this expenditure is tied to operations conducted in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Memphis, Portland, and Chicago between June 2025 and December 2025. Deployments in these cities were necessary to address rising concerns about national security, including potential threats emanating from the southern border areas. However, it’s worth noting that a deployment to New Orleans also occurred but was initiated late in the year, which means its costs weren’t included in the report.
The CBO analysis reveals significant financial implications, with the total cost of operations exceeding $496 million during this period. This figure represents an annualized cost, as the report specifies that the baseline projection pertains to these 2025 operations. Deployments involved a substantial number of National Guard personnel and active-duty Marine Corps troops, contributing to the overall financial burden.
Logistical complexities were also highlighted in the report. For instance, troops stationed in Texas were kept on standby even after their deployment activities had concluded in Chicago, adding to the total expenditure. This underscores the intricate planning required to ensure that forces are ready to respond to evolving security threats while maintaining readiness for potential deployments elsewhere.
Current estimates suggest that if troop levels remain unchanged beyond 2025, the federal government could incur a recurring monthly cost of approximately $93 million due to ongoing maintenance and readiness expenses. On the other hand, deploying fewer troops—such as a battalion-size element consisting of 1,000 personnel—could reduce these costs to between $18 million and $21 million per month, depending on local cost-of-living adjustments.
However, the report acknowledges that future costs are highly uncertain. This uncertainty arises from several factors, including potential changes in government policy regarding troop deployments and the increasing legal challenges faced by federal operations. For example, some cities have already seen deployments halted due to successful legal challenges, which has altered the operational landscape and financial obligations.
As of January 2026, the baseline projection indicates that the U.S. government will continue to incur nearly $100 million in monthly expenses related to troop deployments, unless specific court orders or policy changes are implemented. This ongoing expenditure raises serious questions about the sustainability and necessity of these operations, particularly as more cities potentially become targets for similar measures.
In conclusion, the CBO report sheds light on a alarming trend where military assets are increasingly being used for domestic law enforcement purposes. The staggering costs associated with these deployments—ranging from $496 million in 2025 to potential monthly expenses of up to $100 million—highlight the need for careful consideration of this shift in national security strategy. As operations continue, further scrutiny is essential to ensure that these measures remain proportionate and justified, avoiding the unintended consequences of an overreaching national security agenda.
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