California Leaders Slam Trump Over Riot Troop Costs Amid Billions Spent on Illegal Immigration

In a heated clash over taxpayer dollars, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have sharply criticized President Trump for the cost of deploying federal troops to curb anti-ICE riots in their state. The price tag for this intervention, pegged at $134 million, has been called 'shameful' and 'despicable' by the two leaders, who argue the funds could have supported fire recovery efforts or other local needs.

However, social media has erupted with counterarguments, pointing out the staggering billions California spends annually on services for illegal immigrants. Voices like White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and conservative activist Robby Starbuck have highlighted costs ranging from healthcare to incarceration, with recent studies estimating the burden at up to $31 billion per year. This figure dwarfs the expense of the federal troop deployment, sparking a fierce debate over fiscal priorities in the Golden State.

Adding fuel to the fire, California’s expansion of Medi-Cal to cover low-income adults regardless of immigration status has strained budgets further, with Newsom recently requesting an additional $2.8 billion to manage deficits in the program. Meanwhile, critics note the state ranks near the bottom nationally for taxpayer return on investment, raising questions about the efficiency of public spending.

On the other side, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the deployment, arguing that unchecked rioting could cost taxpayers even more through property damage and destruction of local businesses. She emphasized that President Trump’s actions aim to restore order in a city under siege by lawlessness.

Newsom’s team fired back, claiming a clear return on investment when funds support education and healthcare, while labeling the troop deployment a political stunt. Mayor Bass underscored LA’s reliance on immigrant labor, warning of economic fallout from ongoing unrest and federal overreach.

Legally, the situation remains fluid. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to return National Guard control to California, citing constitutional violations, only for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block this ruling pending a hearing in mid-June. As the battle over authority and accountability continues, the core issue remains: whose vision for taxpayer money will prevail in a state stretched thin by competing crises?