Trump seeks $1.5tn for defence budget

largest since World War two

The White House is asking Congress to boost the US defence budget to $1.5 trillion, a sweeping rise that would mark the largest expansion in military spending since World War Two. It includes funding for the Trump administration’s proposed Golden Dome missile defence system, as well as a boost in domestic production of naval vessels, including new Trump-class battleships.

The administration said it would pair the proposed increase with a call for cuts across domestic agencies, including eliminating some climate, housing and education programmes.

The request, which will need to be approved by the US Congress, is separate from the $200 billion the Pentagon has sought for the war in Iran. A summary of the budget posted online notes the cuts will be achieved by “reducing or eliminating wo­ke, weaponised and wasteful programmes, and by returning local responsibilities to their respective governments”.

US President Donald Trump has long signalled a desire to increase the defence budget and boost domestic defence manufacturing.