Trump seeks $1.5 trillion defence boost with broad domestic cuts
Trump seeks $1.5 trillion defence boost with broad domestic cuts
Trump's budget would push defense to $1.5 trillion, paired with 10% cuts to non-defence programs, including climate, housing and education.
President Trump has asked Congress for a sweeping defense expansion, proposing a total defense budget of 1.5 trillion dollars. The plan would mark the largest boost in military spending since World War II and would fuel a domestic push to strengthen defense manufacturing, including vessels for a new Trump class of battleships and an emphasis on building more naval ships at home. The request would be paired with significant cuts to non-defense agencies, aiming to trim climate, housing and education programs.
Officials say the budget would reduce or retire what the White House calls woke, weaponised and wasteful programmes, and would shift more local responsibilities back to state and local governments. The 1.5 trillion defense package is separate from a roughly 200 billion dollar request for ongoing operations abroad related to conflicts in the region.
Trump described military spending as a national priority during a private White House event, arguing that it should take precedence over some domestic programs. If lawmakers approve, the plan would require Congress approval to enact the larger shift in spending, and analysts warn it could spark a partisan fight as lawmakers weigh the cost to domestic services against national security goals.
Analysts caution that deep domestic cuts could affect families relying on climate, housing and education programs, while supporters say the move would create domestic defense jobs and strengthen national security. The coming debate will test how far Congress is willing to go to fund an expansive military build-up while trimming long-standing domestic priorities.
