Pentagon to Spend \$134 Million on LA Deployment Amid Immigration Protests

Los Angeles braces for \$134 million military deployment amid immigration raid protests. The Pentagon has announced a \$134 million cost estimate for deploying National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles to manage protests against immigration raids. Bryn MacDonnell, a special assistant to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, confirmed the figure during a House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing. "The current estimated cost is \$134 million, which is largely just [temporary duty travel] costs, travel, housing, food, etc.," MacDonnell testified. The deployment has sparked debate regarding the use of the military in civilian law enforcement and the funding source. Representative Pete Aguilar questioned the justification for deploying military personnel for such purposes. The Pentagon's actions highlight the increasing tension surrounding immigration policy and its potential consequences.