Trump Proposes $1.01T Defense Budget for FY2026, Cuts Domestic Programs

President Trump has unveiled a proposed $1.01 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2026, marking a 13% increase in military spending and one of the largest year-over-year hikes in recent history. This record figure relies heavily on $113 billion in mandatory funding from a Republican-led reconciliation bill, which allows the administration to bypass the Senate filibuster and secure additional funds. While the White House touts the budget as a fulfillment of promises to strengthen national defense and border security—with $175 billion earmarked for border protection—it faces criticism from both parties. Some Republican lawmakers argue the core defense request is inflated by reconciliation funds and falls short of addressing emerging military threats. Meanwhile, Democrats and critics highlight the proposal's simultaneous $163 billion in cuts to non-defense areas such as housing, education, healthcare, and environmental programs, which they argue would harm working Americans. The budget is currently an outline and must be approved by Congress, where debate over priorities and funding levels is expected to intensify.