On Wednesday, every Democratic member of the Senate Armed Services Committee urged the chairman to convene a hearing “as soon as possible” with officials from the Pentagon, highlighting concerns about the rising deployment of military personnel in U.S. cities.
In a letter, Speaker Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) noted the interest of 13 Democrats regarding the administration’s escalating initiatives to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“The American public deserves clarity on the priorities and missions of the Department of Defense, as well as the potential short- and long-term impacts on national security,” they stated.
President Trump has ordered active-duty and National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., to aid federal and local law enforcement in immigration enforcement, mitigating protests, and combating crime.
This week, Trump mentioned that National Guard soldiers are also deployed in Tennessee as part of the newly formed Memphis Safety Task Force, alongside law enforcement agencies like the FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Trump indicated that Chicago could be “probably the next” target for similar troop deployments, as he observed federal law enforcement presence there for weeks.
Moreover, administrative officials have suggested that military personnel might also be sent to cities like New Orleans and Baltimore, mimicking the strategy in Washington. Currently, approximately 2,300 troops are stationed in D.C., though many are mostly engaged in non-combat roles, such as cleanup efforts.
The senator expressed concerns that this approach could undermine military readiness and damage the relationship between civilians and military members, who are generally expected to protect against external threats.
They also pointed out that utilizing military force for domestic matters is costly, arguing that “we maintain systems that are considerably more expensive than civilian options, like relying on warships and military surveillance to monitor borders.”
There’s been no formal public accounting on the expenses associated with these operations, nor clarity on whether the Pentagon is compensated for its involvement, especially when less costly alternatives could be considered.
The correspondence indicated that troop numbers are increasing to provide administrative and logistical support within domestic operations.
They urged Pentagon officials to come before the committee to discuss the planning, implementation, and justification of these measures, alongside their potential impact on military readiness and the lives of service members and their families.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that the deployment of military force is legal, constitutionally grounded, strategically sound, and remains transparent to the American people,” they emphasized.
In response, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegses defended Trump’s decision to deploy thousands of security personnel to Los Angeles, including 700 Marines, amid protests related to federal activities. He asserted that it is “completely constitutional” for the president to send troops onto U.S. streets but did not clarify the legal authority under which this action was taken.
