California lawmakers have sparked a political firestorm by criticizing President Trump for the financial cost of sending federal troops to quell anti-ICE riots, arguing that the $134 million expenditure is negligible compared to the billions of dollars allocated to illegal immigrants annually. Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have publicly lamented the use of public funds, suggesting they could be better allocated to local recovery efforts, healthcare, and social services.
Newsom’s social media posts underscored his frustration, stating that the money could have been used for fire recovery in Los Angeles, while Bass called the deployment of military forces a ‘shameful’ and ‘despicable’ misuse of taxpayer resources. Meanwhile, conservative voices, including Stephen Miller, Andrew Clark, and Robby Starbuck, have echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the substantial cost of illegal immigration to state budgets. A 2023 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) found that California alone spends over $22 billion annually on services for undocumented immigrants, a figure that has grown significantly in recent years.
These debates have intensified amid legal challenges to the federal government’s use of National Guard forces in Los Angeles. A temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge in late April mandated that President Trump return control of the National Guard to California, citing violations of the Tenth Amendment and exceeding presidential authority. However, the Trump administration swiftly appealed the decision, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked the ruling, setting up a hearing on June 17.
Newsom and Bass have been accused of politicizing these issues, with critics claiming that their criticism of the federal response is a strategic move to undermine Trump’s image. While Newsom’s office argues that expanding access to healthcare and education provides a ‘return on investment’ for Californians, opponents argue that redirecting funds from illegal immigration support to local needs would offer a more tangible benefit to taxpayers.