The National Guard's mission in Washington, D.C., is projected to cost an additional $1.4 billion through the end of the Trump administration, according to Defense Department estimates provided to Congress. This projection is based on an assumed deployment of approximately 2,500 troops.
Currently, 4,600 Guardsmen are stationed in the capital, including an additional 2,000 troops temporarily sent from states such as South Carolina, West Virginia, and Georgia. This is the first time the administration has released an accounting of the costs associated with the National Guard's presence in D.C.
Prior to this estimate, the Congressional Budget Office calculated the deployment cost at approximately $55 million per month for nearly 3,000 troops. Earlier reports indicated that the National Guard's deployment in D.C. was expected to continue through 2029.
The sustained mission has placed a significant financial burden on the Pentagon, particularly the Army, which is facing a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall that officials attribute, in part, to the prolonged deployment. To mitigate housing costs, the National Guard recently awarded a $292 million contract for about 2,000 apartment units, a move estimated to save roughly $90 million in hotel expenses.
Dubbed "Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful," the National Guard's mission began in August 2025 as part of a broader initiative by President Donald Trump to increase the presence of Guardsmen in U.S. cities to support law enforcement. While troops were withdrawn from some cities like Los Angeles and Chicago due to legal scrutiny over deployment justification, the D.C. deployment operates under a different framework that allows the president greater authority.
Guardsmen are a visible presence throughout Washington, patrolling areas including Metro rail stations, downtown D.C., and the National Mall, equipped with M17 pistols or M4 rifles. However, their legal authority is limited, and they are unable to make arrests.
In November, a gunman attacked National Guard troops near the White House, resulting in the death of Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and injuries to Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Beyond security patrols, Guardsmen have been involved in civic duties such as trash collection, landscaping, and graffiti removal. Some argue this deployment allows more police officers to focus on higher-crime areas.
Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard also noted that the Guard has responded to hundreds of medical emergencies, including administering Narcan on numerous occasions. However, deploying troops is considerably more expensive than utilizing law enforcement or civilian workers. An analysis by the Niskanen Center found the daily cost per Guardsman to be about $607, compared to $384 per day for a D.C. police officer.
Data indicates that the National Guard's presence in D.C. has coincided with a decline in property crimes, though the report also stated it has not reduced violent crime. Local police statistics show that violent crime in Washington, D.C., had been decreasing since before the National Guard's deployment, with a 29% drop in 2025 and a 35% decline in 2024.
The National Guard is primarily structured as a force for overseas combat missions, with approximately 15,000 Guard troops currently deployed on international missions, including in the Middle East.