U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, April 3, asked lawmakers to approve a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, citing the escalating costs of the war with Iran and broader global security commitments.
The proposal would lift Pentagon spending by more than 40% in a single year making it the sharpest increase since World War II as Washington seeks to sustain military operations and rebuild depleted weapons stockpiles.
U.S. media, citing closed‑door congressional briefings, reported that the Iran war could be costing as much as $2 billion per day, even before factoring in reconstruction and resupply.
A recent CSIS analysis estimated $11.3 billion in costs during the first six days alone, with munitions expenditures driving much of the burden.
$1.5 trillion defense budget, domestic cuts proposed
To offset part of the increase in the defense budget proposal, Trump is proposing $73 billion in cuts to non‑defense spending — roughly 10% — targeting what he called “woke, weaponized and wasteful programs.”
The president had earlier argued that federal social programs such as Medicaid and Medicare should be handled at the state level while Washington focuses on “military protection.”
“It’s not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare,” Trump said at a private event this week. “Such responsibilities can be handled locally while Washington ensures national defense.”
Still, resistance may emerge within Trump’s own party as some Republicans are wary of deepening federal deficits, which already approach $2 trillion annually, with total debt exceeding $39 trillion.
Lawmakers from both parties have also questioned the scale of the military increase, particularly given limited detail on the trajectory of the Iran conflict.
Also Read: Over $200 Billion Budget Request for New War Awaiting Trump’s Approval
Democrats swiftly condemned the proposal with Senate budget leader Patty Murray accusing Trump of prioritizing “reckless foreign wars” over domestic needs.
“Donald Trump might be happy to spend more money on bombs in the Middle East than on families here in America — but I am not,” she said.
Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin went further, calling the plan “unconscionable.” “We already spend more than the next nine countries combined,”he noted.
“This is a 40% bump from this year’s record levels, and now Trump would have us spend more than the next 34 countries combined!”
Maine Governor Janet Mills accused Trump of funding a “forever war” at the expense of domestic priorities by “cutting funding for housing, climate action, and education.”
She further accused Senator Susan Collins of rubber‑stamping “his radical agenda before — even when it hurt Maine people. It’s time for her to go.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office blasted the defense budget proposal, citing Pentagon mismanagement.
“After the Pentagon failed 8 audits in a row, the Trump Admin wants to provide an additional $500+ billion to Pete Hegseth! What happened to tackling waste, fraud, and abuse?”
Congressional battle ahead
The White House released the request as part of a 92‑page budget proposal outlining priorities across federal agencies. While not binding, the plan signals the administration’s agenda as Congress begins drafting spending legislation.
Trump is urging lawmakers to approve $1.1 trillion through the standard appropriations process, while seeking $350 billion via a party‑line mechanism that would bypass Democratic support.
Republican leaders praised the defense budget proposal, with Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker and House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers issuing a joint statement lauding Trump for “sending a clear signal for our allies and partners to build on recent progress and meet this benchmark alongside us.”
Also Read: Trump Fast-Tracks New $16.4 Billion Weapons Sales for Arab Nations as Iran War Costs Mount
However, Democratic leaders led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have vowed to block the plan.
“A budget is like an X‑ray: it shows what’s really going on inside. Donald Trump’s budget is rotten to the core, and Democrats will make sure it never passes. If Republicans choose to go along with this budget, they will be like Thelma and Louise and follow Donald Trump’s political fortunes off the same cliff,” he declared in a statement.
Other proposed allocations
The budget also calls for increased funding for federal law enforcement, including a $40 billion boost for the Justice Department. Trump is requesting $152 million to reopen Alcatraz prison, a pet project with an estimated total cost of $2 billion.
Other priorities include a 13% increase for the Department of Justice to focus on violent crime and immigration enforcement, $10 billion for National Park Service “construction and beautification” projects in Washington, D.C and $481 million to enhance aviation safety and hire more air traffic controllers.
Cuts would target green energy, housing, and health programs. The administration proposes canceling $15 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law, reducing funding for renewable energy projects, and cutting NOAA grants.
The Department of Agriculture would see a 19% cut, Housing and Urban Development 13%, and Health and Human Services 12%, including reductions to low‑income heating assistance.
The budget references “woke programs” 34 times, framing cuts as a rollback of equity‑focused initiatives.
