WASHINGTON, DC — PresidentDonald Trumphas called for the Pentagon's budget to be increased by more than 50%, from the$901 billion approved by Congressfor 2026 to $1.5 trillion in 2027, saying the financial boost would allow the United States to build its "dream military."
In aJan. 7 post on Truth Social,Trump said he will ask Congress to increase the Defense Department's budget next fiscal year and made the decision on 2027 spending "after long and difficult negotiations with Senators, Congressmen, Secretaries, and other Political Representatives... especially in these very troubled and dangerous times."
"Our Military Budget for the year 2027 should not be $1 Trillion Dollars, but rather $1.5 Trillion Dollars," Trump wrote. "This will allow us to build the 'Dream Military' that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe."
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"I would stay at the $1 Trillion Dollar number but, because of Tariffs, and the tremendous Income that they bring," he added. "We are able to easily hit the $1.5 Trillion Dollar number."
Any such increase in the military budget would require congressional authorization. But Republicans, who hold slim majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives, have shown little appetite for objecting to any such spending programs.
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Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan federal budget watchdog based in Washington, D.C., said Trump's proposed budget "must be rejected."
"President Trump's proposal to explode the Pentagon budget with a 50 percent hike next year is as wasteful as it sounds," Steve Ellis, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, said in a statement. "Congress is already poised to approve a 13% increase in Pentagon spending this year. We're over $38 trillion in debt. We have real needs, at home and abroad, none of which will be easier to meet by hitting the gas pedal on the debt crisis."
"The president says this enormous increase would be offset by tariff revenue. Besides the fact that the math doesn't add up, he has also promised that revenue to reduce the deficit, send $2000 checks to citizens, bailout farmers impacted by the trade war, and the list goes on," Ellis continued. "This increase cannot happen. It must not happen. Congress must repudiate this nonsense."
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Trump's proposal comes days after the U.S. militaryattacked Venezuelaandsnatched its leaderin an overnight raid. The Trump administration has also said the president isdiscussing optionsforacquiring Greenland, including potential use of the United States military.
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:President Trump proposes $1.5T defense budget for 'dream military'
