Senators Urge Hearing on Trump's Military Deployments to Cities

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led her fellow Democratic colleagues in urging the committee chairman to hold a hearing with Department of Defense (DoD) leadership to evaluate President Donald Trump's ongoing military deployments to American cities. The lawmakers expressed concern over Trump's efforts to redirect DoD resources away from core military missions to support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and his authoritarian enforcement efforts. They argued that the American people deserve transparency on the short- and long-term implications for national security and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars of these deployments.

Key Takeaways:

• The letter, co-signed by all SASC Democratic colleagues, calls for a hearing to evaluate Trump's ongoing military deployments to American cities and the redirection of DoD resources to support DHS.
• The lawmakers express concern over the potential devastating effects on military readiness and the trusted relationship between the public and servicemembers.
• The Washington Post reported that the National Guard assessment found that its mission is perceived as leveraging fear, driving a wedge between citizens and the military, and promoting a sense of shame among troops and veterans.
• The New York Times reported that the retention rate for National Guardsmen deployed to Los Angeles was projected to be 21 percent, far lower than the typical 60 percent rate.
• Since January 20, 2025, DoD has surged its assistance to DHS across the country, including the use of military aircraft for deportations and reliance on warships and Army surveillance systems for detection and monitoring.
• There has been no official public accounting of the costs of using these assets compared to more affordable alternatives, or whether the DoD has been reimbursed for its services.
• DoD has designated at least five military installations for detentions or support to Federal agents, and detailed DoD and military personnel in rising numbers to provide administrative and logistical assistance for interior law enforcement.
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has prioritized the southern border and Indo-Pacific region over core military missions, despite a bipartisan consensus to focus on the complex security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Statistics:

• 21% retention rate for National Guardsmen deployed to Los Angeles (New York Times)
• 60% typical retention rate for National Guardsmen (New York Times)
• At least 5 military installations designated for detentions or support to Federal agents (Note: exact number not specified in the article)

Sources:

• Letter from Tammy Duckworth and SASC Democrats to Chairman Wicker (no date specified in the article)
• The Washington Post (September 9)
• The New York Times (July)
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's public statements (no date specified in the article)