The cost of Donald Trump’s deployment of active-duty troops and National Guard forces to the US-Mexico border could total an estimated $1bn by the end of the fiscal year, according to new figures released by the US Department of Defence. Mr Trump said on Tuesday during his State of the Union address that he had ordered a new infusion of 3,750 active-duty troops to the border to prepare for a “tremendous onslaught”. On Wednesday, the Pentagon said a small contingent of troops, including military police, medical personnel and engineers, would reposition to Eagle Pass to harden ports of entry.
