The White House has requested Congress to approve a $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, pointing to rising costs from the ongoing conflict in Iran and other global security challenges. If approved, the plan would raise Pentagon spending by over 40 percent in a single year—the largest increase since World War II.
Officials say the spending surge is needed to sustain military operations and rebuild depleted weapons stockpiles. U.S. media, citing confidential congressional briefings, estimate the Iran war could be costing up to $2 billion a day, even before considering longer-term reconstruction and resupply costs.
To offset part of the increase, President Donald Trump is proposing roughly $73 billion in cuts to non-defense programs, including social initiatives such as Medicaid, Medicare, and daycare.
The administration argues that these responsibilities could be handled at the state level while Washington focuses on military protection.
Democrats criticized the plan, calling it a reckless prioritization of foreign military spending over domestic needs. Senate budget leader Patty Murray said, “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.”
The request comes with a detailed 92-page budget proposal, highlighting federal priorities and guiding Congress as it drafts spending legislation.
Trump is seeking to fund more than $1.1 trillion of the plan through the standard appropriations process while pushing an additional $350 billion through a party-line mechanism that would bypass Democratic approval.
Republican leaders have expressed support, saying the increase would move U.S. defense spending toward five percent of GDP and strengthen deterrence. Still, some lawmakers, including Republicans, have voiced concern about the growing federal deficit, already exceeding $39 trillion, and the limited information provided about the Iran conflict’s trajectory.
Beyond defense, the budget proposes a $40 billion increase for federal law enforcement and $152 million to begin reopening the historic Alcatraz prison- a fraction of the estimated $2 billion total cost.
Supporters say the plan signals to U.S. allies and partners that the country is serious about military readiness. Critics warn it could add trillions to the federal debt and further divert funds from domestic priorities.
