Trump Seeks Massive $1.5tn for Defence Alongside Cuts in Domestic Spending
The White House is asking Congress to boost the US defence budget to $1.5tn (£1.1tn), a sweeping rise that would mark the largest expansion in military spending since the Second World War.
The budget includes funding for the Trump administration's proposed Golden Dome missile defence system, as well as a boost in domestic production of naval vessels, including new Trump-class battleships.
The administration indicates that this increase in defense funding will be paired with cuts to domestic agencies, including the elimination of programs in climate, housing, and education.
The request is separate from the $200bn that the Pentagon is seeking for the ongoing conflict in Iran.
A summary of the budget noted that cuts would be achieved by reducing or eliminating “woke, weaponized and wasteful” programs and returning local responsibilities to their respective governments.
President Trump has consistently indicated his desire to increase the defense budget, positioning military spending as a national priority. At a recent White House event, he articulated that the country could not afford extensive social programs while maintaining strong military protections.
The proposed budget reflects a 42% increase over the previous fiscal year, amounting to an additional $445bn in defense spending.
Approximately $1.1tn of the budget would focus on discretionary Pentagon spending, which would set a new record.
An additional $350bn would be allocated from a budget reconciliation process potentially bypassing a typical Senate vote requirement.
The budget also calls for pay increases for military personnel and includes $65.8bn earmarked for shipbuilding, including the newly announced Trump-class battleships.
Administration officials have warned that the US currently lags behind China in shipbuilding capacity and overall military output. In addition to the battleships, an uncertain amount for the $185bn Golden Dome is included, designed to provide multi-layered defense against emerging missile threats.
Experts predict that the overall costs of the Golden Dome could consume a significant share of the expanded defense budget.
