We are leading wars: Donald Trump wants $1.5 trillion for the American army in 2027

President Trump is calling for a budget effort that corresponds to over a 40% increase in the US defense budget. The request has been sent to Congress.

Donald Trump argues tirelessly that the United States military is the most powerful in the world. He believes that his first term has greatly contributed to this success, and that is why, according to him, Americans are also imperial in their war against Iran. So there is no question of easing this effort. He intends to heavily invest in the American military. The White House is presenting an envelope of $1.5 trillion to Congress to fund the country’s defense next year, an amount close to the total of all French public expenses each year and 20 times greater than the French Defense budget. This is also an increase of around 42% compared to the American defense budget for this year.

Not everything is detailed, but the Trump administration intends to modernize the American military. It also aims to replenish ammunition stocks while the war against Iran is ongoing. An important point: these $1.5 trillion have nothing to do with the $200 billion budget extension that is expected to be presented to Congress soon to support the current war effort. And obviously, everything is a matter of choice as the United States are significantly in debt. The Trump administration is ready to increase the deficit but also wants to show that it is making efforts. Many projects and programs will, therefore, face significant cuts to fund defense.

Donald Trump clearly laid out his project this week during an Easter lunch at the White House on Wednesday, April 1. “We are at war. We cannot take care of child care. We must let the states handle that and pay for it by increasing their taxes. It is not possible for us to take care of child care. Medicaid, Medicare… These individual things must be done at the state level, not at the federal level.” Medicaid and Medicare are health insurance programs, the first for the poorest, the second for seniors and people with disabilities. The message is clear: priority to defense, national security, social protection takes a back seat.

“We must focus on one thing: military protection. We must defend our country.”

Donald Trump, President of the United States

The budget project presented on Friday falls into this logic: -10% for non-military expenses, $73 billion in savings are planned in health, social care, housing, education, and the fight against climate change. Everything related to gender issues or racial or sexual discriminations is also being questioned. On the other hand, border protection, operations to expel illegal immigrants will be better funded. Another emblematic example: $152 million is requested to renovate and reopen the famous Alcatraz prison in the San Francisco Bay, which is to become a maximum security center again.

But the obstacle of Congress must be crossed. And this is just the beginning of the legislative battle: the Democrats are already up in arms against this budget project. They consider these military expenses excessive at a time when Americans are concerned about their purchasing power. The debates will start during the mid-term election campaign in November. Even if Republican lawmakers are generally under the orders of the White House, they could challenge budget cuts affecting their states and be sensitive to voters’ concerns about the cost of living. This colossal military budget has not yet been voted on.