California protest response costs soar past $130 Million—And Counting

Washington D.C. – The Pentagon disclosed Tuesday that the ongoing 60-day deployment of California National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles is projected to cost at least $134 million, a figure primarily covering the costs of travel, lodging, and meals. The estimate was provided by Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, the Department of Defense’s acting chief financial officer, during a tense hearing before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.

The deployment—ordered in response to escalating protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids—has stirred political controversy since its announcement. The operation includes approximately 4,000 California National Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines. The funding, MacDonnell confirmed, will come from the Pentagon’s operations and maintenance accounts.

Though initially evasive, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth eventually addressed the cost after repeated questioning from Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) and Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), the subcommittee’s ranking member. What began as a budgetary inquiry quickly turned into a broader debate over civil liberties, state authority, and the role of federal force in domestic affairs.

Hegseth defended the deployment as essential for maintaining law and order. “This is a 60-day mission because we want to send a message to the rioters, looters, and thugs attacking law enforcement that we’re not backing down,” he said. He further framed the action as a necessary correction to what he called the “delayed and inadequate” response to the George Floyd protests in 2020, singling out Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

But McCollum pressed for specifics. “What training missions aren’t happening? Where are you pulling the money from?” she asked, growing visibly frustrated when her questions went unanswered. “These are budget questions that affect this committee and the decisions we’re going to be making in a couple of hours.”

The tension reflected a deeper unease among some lawmakers regarding the federalization of domestic unrest. In her opening remarks, McCollum called the decision to deploy active-duty Marines “downright escalatory,” while Aguilar raised concerns about the treatment of the troops themselves, citing images of soldiers sleeping on floors and reports from Gov. Gavin Newsom that troops lacked basic provisions.

Hegseth dismissed these claims as “disingenuous attacks,” insisting the service members were well-equipped and that logistical challenges were being addressed in real time.

Still, questions remain—not just about cost, but about the precedent this deployment sets. As the 60-day clock ticks, so too does the scrutiny over what it means for federal power, protest, and public accountability in American cities.