A recent report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) revealed that the potential cost of deploying military forces in major American cities could reach nearly $500 million by 2025. These estimates came in response to an inquiry from a prominent Democratic lawmaker and highlight the significant financial burdens that could result from a presidential decision to use the military to impose order within the country, a controversial measure previously associated with statements by former President Donald Trump.
According to the office director, Philip Swagel, the total estimated cost of these operations could reach $496 million by the end of December 2025. The figures show that deploying troops in Washington, D.C., would be the most expensive, at $223 million, followed by Los Angeles at $193 million. The report explained that future monthly costs for such operations would vary considerably depending on troop size and location, ranging from $6 million for deploying 350 personnel in New Orleans to $55 million per month for troops deployed in Washington.
The historical and legal context of troop deployment
This debate about cost raises a broader controversy surrounding the legal basis for such action: the Insurrection Act of 1807. This law grants the U.S. president extraordinary authority to deploy armed forces within the United States to suppress rebellion or insurrection, or to enforce federal laws. Historically, this law has been used only in rare and crucial instances, most notably when President Dwight Eisenhower sent troops from the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957 to enforce desegregation in schools, and again during the Los Angeles riots of 1992.
Importance and potential impacts
The significance of this decision extends far beyond the financial aspect, encompassing profound political and social ramifications. Opponents argue that using the military in domestic affairs blurs the line between police duties and military operations, violating the Boss Comitatus Act, which restricts the military's use for local law enforcement. It also raises concerns about escalating tensions between citizens and federal authorities and infringing upon states' rights to manage their own security. During his presidency, Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell the protests that erupted in 2020, drawing widespread criticism from state governors and local officials who viewed it as an overreach of federal power. Therefore, the Congressional Budget Office report is not merely a collection of figures; it adds a tangible economic dimension to a complex constitutional and political debate surrounding the limits of presidential power and the role of the military in American society.
