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Chairpersons

Senate Democrats Urge Hearing on Trump's Military Deployments and DHS Funding

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

US Senate Democrats led by Tammy Duckworth have called on the Senate Armed Services Committee to hold a hearing on President Trump's ongoing military deployments to American cities and his efforts to redirect Department of Defense (DoD) resources away from core military missions to support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The lawmakers expressed concerns that these deployments could have devastating effects on military readiness and the public's trust in the US military.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tammy Duckworth, US Senator for Illinois and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led all Democratic colleagues in urging Chairman Wicker to hold a hearing with DoD leadership to evaluate Trump's military deployments and resource redirection.
  • The lawmakers cited concerns that deployments to cities like Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Chicago could have devastating effects on military readiness and public trust in the US military.
  • The retention rate for National Guard members deployed to Los Angeles was projected to be 21%, far lower than the typical 60% rate.
  • Since January 20, 2025, DoD has surged its assistance to DHS across the country, with no official public accounting of costs and resource redirection.
  • The lawmakers requested a hearing to conduct public oversight and ensure that the use of military power remains lawful, constitutional, and strategically justified.
  • The Senate Democrats emphasized the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between the military and domestic law enforcement functions as per the Constitution.

Statistics:

  • 21% retention rate for National Guard members deployed to Los Angeles, compared to the typical 60% rate.
  • Since January 20, 2025, DoD has surged its assistance to DHS across the country.
  • No official public accounting of costs and resource redirection by DoD.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post, "National Guard Assessments: Troops borrowed for domestic missions" (September 9, 2025)
  • The New York Times, "National Guard Retention Rate Low for City Deployments" (July, 2025)
  • Sen. Tammy Duckworth's Letter to Chairman Wicker, requesting a hearing on Trump's military deployments and DoD resource redirection.

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