National Guard deployment to Washington, DC will cost US roughly $1.4bn

Core Impact Points

• The National Guard deployment in Washington, DC will cost around $1.4 billion, covering fiscal years 2027-2029.
• The deployment has drawn criticism from local officials and Democratic lawmakers, who argue it infringes on the city's autonomy and militarizes the capital's streets.
• The Pentagon estimate is based on an average of 2,500 Guard members remaining in the capital, with some states contributing more troops than others.
• US courts have restricted the use of National Guard soldiers in other parts of the country, but their presence continues in the capital, where the president is the direct commander of the DC Guard.
• The deployment began last summer after US President Donald Trump issued an emergency order to fight crime, and has since been extended multiple times.
• The National Guard is a reserve military force that can be mobilized for active duty when needed, responding to domestic emergencies and supporting military operations abroad.