National Guard Deployment in Washington Extended to 2029, Costing $1.4 Billion
The National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. has been extended until January 2029, with an estimated cost of $1.4 billion, according to a Defense Department estimate provided to Congress. This deployment, initiated by President Trump last summer, was intended to address crime in the city. The presence of the National Guard has been a point of contention, with local officials criticizing it as an infringement on the city's autonomy and Democrats arguing it militarizes the streets at the public's expense. The deployment, which surged to about 5,000 troops during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, is expected to maintain an average of 2,500 troops through 2029. 
