The US military's occupation of several major cities under the Trump administration has cost a staggering $473 million, according to an expert estimate. This figure includes nearly $172 million spent in Los Angeles, over $270 million for Washington D.C., and more than $15 million in Portland, among other cities.
These deployments have been part of a broader effort by President Trump to use the military to quell dissent and impose order on cities across the US. The president has threatened to deploy additional troops to several cities if local authorities cannot enforce the law, sparking widespread concern over the erosion of civil liberties and the democratic tradition in the country.
Critics argue that these deployments are not only unconstitutional but also wasteful, as they distract from pressing issues like poverty, healthcare, and education. The cost of these operations has been met with resistance from lawmakers who have demanded greater transparency on the expenses involved.
The National Priorities Project estimates that if President Trump were to deploy 500 National Guard members for a period of 60 days, the daily cost would be approximately $647 per soldier, or around $323,333 per day. The Pentagon has refused to provide figures on the mounting expense of these federal troop deployments, citing lack of information.
The Insurrection Act, which allows the president to deploy troops in times of insurrection or rebellion, is being invoked by Trump's administration to justify these actions. However, critics argue that this law does not grant the president broad powers to use the military for domestic purposes and that its use would be subject to constitutional limits.
Several federal courts have ruled against Trump's attempts to deploy troops into cities, with judges citing the Insurrection Act as unconstitutional and the Posse Comitatus Act, which bans the use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement. These rulings highlight a growing divide between the executive branch and the judiciary on issues related to civil liberties and the role of the military in American society.
As tensions rise over these deployments, many experts are sounding the alarm about the erosion of democratic norms and the dangers of unchecked power in the US government. With an ever-increasing national debt, dwindling social programs, and mounting public discontent, it is imperative that lawmakers take a closer look at these policies and ensure that the Constitution remains the guiding principle for governance in America.
Trump's continued use of military force to quell dissent has been condemned by civil rights groups, who argue that this approach undermines fundamental American values such as freedom of speech and assembly. As one senator, Tammy Duckworth, puts it: "Our National Guard troops did not sign up to police their own neighbors... Trump's continued abuse of our military to intimidate Americans in their own neighborhoods must end immediately."
These deployments have been part of a broader effort by President Trump to use the military to quell dissent and impose order on cities across the US. The president has threatened to deploy additional troops to several cities if local authorities cannot enforce the law, sparking widespread concern over the erosion of civil liberties and the democratic tradition in the country.
Critics argue that these deployments are not only unconstitutional but also wasteful, as they distract from pressing issues like poverty, healthcare, and education. The cost of these operations has been met with resistance from lawmakers who have demanded greater transparency on the expenses involved.
The National Priorities Project estimates that if President Trump were to deploy 500 National Guard members for a period of 60 days, the daily cost would be approximately $647 per soldier, or around $323,333 per day. The Pentagon has refused to provide figures on the mounting expense of these federal troop deployments, citing lack of information.
The Insurrection Act, which allows the president to deploy troops in times of insurrection or rebellion, is being invoked by Trump's administration to justify these actions. However, critics argue that this law does not grant the president broad powers to use the military for domestic purposes and that its use would be subject to constitutional limits.
Several federal courts have ruled against Trump's attempts to deploy troops into cities, with judges citing the Insurrection Act as unconstitutional and the Posse Comitatus Act, which bans the use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement. These rulings highlight a growing divide between the executive branch and the judiciary on issues related to civil liberties and the role of the military in American society.
As tensions rise over these deployments, many experts are sounding the alarm about the erosion of democratic norms and the dangers of unchecked power in the US government. With an ever-increasing national debt, dwindling social programs, and mounting public discontent, it is imperative that lawmakers take a closer look at these policies and ensure that the Constitution remains the guiding principle for governance in America.
Trump's continued use of military force to quell dissent has been condemned by civil rights groups, who argue that this approach undermines fundamental American values such as freedom of speech and assembly. As one senator, Tammy Duckworth, puts it: "Our National Guard troops did not sign up to police their own neighbors... Trump's continued abuse of our military to intimidate Americans in their own neighborhoods must end immediately."
meanwhile cities are getting ravaged by the 'occupation' and ppl are losing faith in the system. I'm all for addressing social issues but deploying troops to quell dissent is straight up authoritarian what's next? Martial law or something?