Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
snow More than $70 million has been spent on new weapons in the president’s first nine months donald trumpAccording to a report, there has been an increase of 700 percent in the second term compared to the same period in 2024.
Citing records from the Federal Procurement Data System, popular information reports The immigration force that answers Kristi Noem‘S Department of Homeland Securityspent $71,515,762 on procurement of “small arms, armament and armament accessories manufacturing” between January 20 and October 18.
That compares with $9,715,843 over the same period in 2024 under Trump’s predecessor. Joe BidenAnd the average annual spending in the current president’s first term between 2017 and 2021 was only $8.4 million.
“Small arms” refers to armour, explosives, chemical weapons, pistols and rifles while “Armament and Armament Accessories Manufacture” refers to other materials such as artillery pieces, barrels, extractors and mounts.
While most of the money has been spent on guns and armor for field agents, the outlay has also seen ICE purchase “guided missile warheads and explosive components”. popular information,
Independent The White House, DHS and ICE have been contacted for comment on the reasoning behind the huge investment.
Despite the rapid increase in investment, agency officials claimed that expanding the use of bodycams would require more funding from Congress, associated Press Report.
The comments came from ICE Deputy Regional Office Director Shawn Byers during a hearing Monday, when he addressed complaints that ICE agents are increasingly using combat tactics.
ICE’s role has been significantly expanded in Trump’s mission to enact “the largest mass deportation program in history” by rounding up and removing undocumented immigrants in the United States illegally and the agency has been flooded with federal funding.
It is currently estimated that it has approximately 20,000 active agents But Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin recently said it had received “over 175,000 applications” to join its ranks. ad blitz On platforms such as Spotify, X, Meta, YouTube and LinkedIn, “over 18,000 temporary job offers” were issued.
McLaughlin said the department’s “incentive processes,” such as sign-on bonuses, are in line with the ongoing U.S. will continue during government shutdownFor which he blamed the Democrats.
Official figures published at the end of September showed that there are currently 59,762 people are being detained In ICE detention centers.
However, the agency’s growing prominence has led to increased criticism of its methods. In June, its operations in downtown Los Angeles attracted massive protests, prompting Trump to activate the National Guard against the wishes of the California government. Gavin NewsomWho warned that this would increase the existing tension.
ICE has also brought a flood of unwanted headlines to the administration, including the recent revelation that At least 20 children who are US citizens were arrested This year, two of whom had cancer.
Reports of operations involving armed agents “Traumatizing” mothers and children And firing pepper balls at a priest Participating in any protests has not helped his campaign.
“What we’re seeing is a general increase in violence and excessive use of force by ICE officers,” said Ed Yohanka of the ACLU of Illinois. told npr recently.
Yohanka has filed a lawsuit on behalf of protesters who believe ICE’s tactics violated their constitutional rights, stating: “Across the country, federal agents have shot, gassed, and detained individuals engaged in cherished and protected activities.”
The lawsuit accuses ICE and other federal agencies of “dangerous and indiscriminate use of lethal weapons such as tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper balls, flash grenades, and other unreasonable and disproportionate tactics.”