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By Jesus Mesa and Gabe Whisnant
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The Pentagon said Tuesday that it expects its 60-day deployment of the California National Guard and United States Marines to Los Angeles to cost at least $134 million, primarily covering travel, lodging, and meal expenses, according to Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, the acting chief financial officer at the Department of Defense.
"We've been clear from the start—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," Hegseth said during testimony before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.
Why It Matters
The Pentagon's deployment of about 700 Marines to Los Angeles to join the National Guard's response to immigration protests follows weeks of rapid-fire developments as President Donald Trump pursues his top domestic priority for mass deportations.
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The Trump administration has pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history and has conducted numerous U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, some of which have swept up people with proper documentation.
What To Know
The 700 active-duty Marines join more than 4,100 National Guard members in response to what the Trump administration called a "deteriorating situation" in Los Angeles. The troops are tasked with guarding federal buildings and supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations during ongoing public demonstrations.
The deployment's cost, confirmed by MacDonnell on Tuesday, will be covered using existing operations and maintenance budgets, diverting resources from other military priorities.
"The money will be pulled from the troops' existing operations and maintenance accounts," MacDonnell said.
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Lawmakers used the hearing to express broader frustration with the Trump administration's military spending plans and lack of transparency. Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat, accused Hegseth of sowing disorder within the Pentagon.
"Your tenure as secretary has been marked by endless chaos," DeLauro said.
Republicans also expressed concern about the administration's massive $1 trillion defense budget proposal, particularly the $175 billion earmarked for the president's Golden Dome missile defense initiative.
Representative Betty McCollum, a Democrat from Minnesota, challenged Hegseth directly on the necessity and costs of the Los Angeles deployment. Hegseth initially evaded answering, saying only that the department had enough funding, before deferring to MacDonnell for the exact figure.
California's Democratic leaders have sharply criticized the deployment, calling it an abuse of federal power. Governor Gavin Newsom claimed that troops arrived in Los Angeles without basic provisions, saying they had to sleep on the floor without food or water.
Hegseth denied the allegations, stating, "We are ensuring they are housed, fed, [and have] water capabilities in real-time from my office because I care that much about the California Guard and the Marines."
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The legality of the deployment has also been scrutinized. Under the Posse Comitatus Act, federal troops are prohibited from enforcing domestic law without specific authorization. It is unclear whether the Trump administration intends to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used statute that permits such actions.
Hegseth suggested the use of military personnel for domestic security would likely continue.
"I think we're entering another phase, especially under President Trump with his focus on the homeland, where the National Guard and reserves become a critical component of how we secure that homeland," he said during Tuesday's hearing.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "If I hadn't 'SENT IN THE TROOPS' to Los Angeles the last three nights, that once beautiful and great city would be burning to the ground right now—much like the 25,000 houses that burned to the ground in L.A. due to an incompetent governor and mayor."
Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy, posted on X (formerly Twitter): "The political leaders of California and Los Angeles are siding with the insurrectionist mobs fighting to dissolve America rather than with the heroes of ICE, who are fighting to save America."
California Governor Gavin Newsom, on X: "U.S. Marines serve a valuable purpose for this country—defending democracy. They are not political pawns. The Secretary of Defense is illegally deploying them onto American streets so Trump can have a talking point at his parade this weekend."
General Eric Smith, commandant of the Marine Corps, said on Tuesday: "I have great faith in my Marines, in their junior leaders, and in their more senior leaders to execute the lawful tasks that they are given," Smith said in a separate budget hearing.
What Happens Next
The Marines in Los Angeles had not yet engaged in any operations.
Update 6/10/25, 1:04 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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