The military occupations of U.S. cities initiated by President Donald Trump have been estimated to cost nearly $473 million. This figure includes approximately $172 million for Los Angeles, nearly $270 million for Washington, D.C., around $15 million for Portland, Oregon, and additional costs for Memphis, Tennessee, and Chicago. These estimates were compiled by the National Priorities Project, a nonpartisan research organization, using open-source data and cost-per-day estimates provided by Senator Dick Durbin's office.

The financial burden of these military occupations coincides with President Trump's threats to deploy more troops to additional cities, including Baltimore, New York City, Oakland, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Seattle, ostensibly to suppress dissent. This escalation occurs despite declining crime rates and opposition from local officials. Troops are also expected to be sent to New Orleans.

The Trump administration has faced criticism for its lack of transparency regarding the costs and details of these domestic troop deployments. Senator Tammy Duckworth expressed concern that the National Guard is being used to police American citizens, which she argues is not the intended purpose of these forces. She, along with other senators, has requested an independent assessment from the Congressional Budget Office regarding the costs associated with these operations.

Legal challenges have emerged against the federalization of National Guard troops, with a federal judge in Oregon ruling that Trump's orders exceeded his authority and violated state sovereignty protections under the 10th Amendment. Similar rulings have blocked attempts to deploy troops in Chicago and surrounding areas.

The Pentagon has been criticized for its refusal to disclose the total costs of these deployments, with officials stating that the final figures will only be available after the missions conclude. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have questioned the rationale behind the military presence in urban areas, emphasizing the need for social services rather than military intervention.

The use of military forces in domestic settings raises significant concerns about civil liberties and the potential for authoritarian governance. The Insurrection Act, which allows the president to deploy federal troops for domestic law enforcement, has been invoked by Trump, who has made exaggerated claims about its historical use and applicability.

The implications of these military actions extend beyond financial costs, as they reflect a broader trend of militarization in response to civil unrest. The actions taken by the Trump administration have been characterized as attempts to suppress dissent and undermine democratic processes, raising alarms about the future of civil liberties in the United States.