The deployment of 700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles will cost at least $134 million and last at least 60 days, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. While local officials expressed discontent with the increased military presence, the troops' purpose is to secure federal properties rather than engage in crowd control. Hegseth emphasized the intention to deter unrest. Funding for this operation is sourced from operations and maintenance accounts, covering travel, housing, and food expenses, as clarified by the acting comptroller.
"We stated very publicly that it's 60 days because we want to ensure that those rioters, looters and thugs on the other side assaulting our police officers know that we're not going anywhere."
"The cost of the deployment is largely just for travel, housing and food," said Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, the acting comptroller.
Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith emphasized that the troops are there solely to protect federal property and personnel and not participate in arresting protestors.
The number of National Guard troops was doubled by Trump amidst the protests which were fueled by frustration over strict immigration enforcement.
#national-guard #military-deployment #los-angeles-protests #immigration-laws #federal-property-security
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