Merkley Leads Colleagues in Demanding CBO Probe the Cost of Trump’s National Guard Deployment to American Cities, Including Portland

Merkley Leads Colleagues in Demanding CBO Probe the Cost of Trump's National Guard Deployment to American Cities, Including Portland

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, led several of his Senate colleagues in calling on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to probe the cost of the Trump Administration's brazen decision to deploy National Guard personnel to U.S. cities. President Trump has ordered troops into major cities across the country, including Portland, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Memphis. The senators are requesting that CBO analyze the costs of activating, deploying, and compensating National Guard personnel, as well as the cost to sustain and maintain these deployments.

In addition to Merkley, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) joined the letter.

"Deploying federalized National Guard units for domestic security operations marks a significant departure from long-standing practice. It also carries substantial cost implications that have not been publicly disclosed or formally justified to Congress. The American people deserve full transparency regarding how their tax dollars are being used especially as it pertains to the deployment of military personnel for missions on U.S. soil without a declared emergency or state request," wrote the senators.

Recently, Merkley also joined his colleagues in demanding an inquiry from the U.S. Department of Defense into these domestic deployments of active-duty and National Guard troops and underscored the illegality of such actions, which undermine military readiness and politicize the nation's military.

The full letter is HERE or below.

Dr. Swagel:

On June 7, 2025, the Trump administration issued a Presidential Memorandum titled Department of Defense Security for the Protection of Department of Homeland Security Functions, directing the domestic deployment of National Guard personnel to U.S. cities. This extraordinary mobilization of military forces within the continental United States raises serious fiscal, legal, and constitutional concerns; and warrants close congressional scrutiny.

Deploying federalized National Guard units for domestic security operations marks a significant departure from long-standing practice. It also carries substantial cost implications that have not been publicly disclosed or formally justified to Congress. The American people deserve full transparency regarding how their tax dollars are being used especially as it pertains to the deployment of military personnel for missions on U.S. soil without a declared emergency or state request.

In light of the scope and sensitivity of this deployment, I respectfully request that CBO provide an independent assessment of the projected costs associated with these domestic operations. Specifically, I ask that your analysis include:

The costs to activate, deploy, and compensate National Guard personnel;

The operational, logistical, and sustainment costs of maintaining these deployments; and

Any additional direct or indirect costs associated with the use of National Guard or other military forces for this purpose.

Congress must have a clear understanding of both the immediate and long-term budgetary consequences of this policy. A timely and comprehensive estimate from CBO will support fiscal accountability and help ensure that executive actions remain subject to appropriate legislative oversight.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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