Overview
- Democratic lawmakers’ “Draining Defense” review alleges at least $2 billion moved from defense programs to immigration efforts, including border deployments, city operations, detention, and deportation flights.
- Gen. Dan Caine told Sen. Elizabeth Warren that Vibrant Response and a 10th Mountain Division rotation were canceled and Ardent Sentry was scaled back because units were pulled for immigration missions.
- The report details at least $1.3 billion for the southern border, $420.9 million for detention on U.S. and overseas bases, $258 million for deployments to cities, and $40.3 million for military deportation flights.
- Democrats say most costs have not been reimbursed by DHS and have pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for documentation, as a federal judge separately ordered an end to the federalized Guard deployment in Los Angeles.
- Pentagon officials defend the commitment of resources, citing the department’s nearly $1 trillion budget, while documents show a $200 million reprogramming request for a Yuma barrier and a 2026 plan indicating at least $5 billion for border operations.