• Trump seeks $1.01 trillion in defense spending for fiscal year 2026, focusing on military modernization and countering China.
• The proposed increase includes $119 billion in additional funds, with Congress having the final say on the budget that Trump seeks to implement.
• Pentagon reforms under Defense Secretary Hegseth are part of the plan Trump seeks to enhance efficiency, including missile deployments and increasing U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific.

President Trump is asking for $1.01 trillion in defense spending for fiscal year 2026. The White House announced this request on Friday. The amount will support Trump’s national security goals, which Trump seeks to achieve through Pentagon reforms led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump’s plan focuses on modernizing defense capabilities and strengthening the U.S. military.

The Need for a Large Defense Budget

Trump’s defense budget request is an aggressive one. It’s a 13% increase from last year. This comes as Trump pushes to cut domestic spending. Despite those cuts, he wants to increase defense spending to address rising global threats. Trump has been vocal about needing to modernize American military capabilities, especially in response to China’s growing power. He wants to strengthen U.S. shipbuilding and proposed a missile defense system for the Americas, similar to Reagan-era plans. The goal is to boost U.S. military presence globally, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

Focus on Nuclear Weapons and Modernization

A key part of Trump’s request is nuclear weapons modernization. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this will cost $946 billion over the next decade. Trump aims to make the U.S. nuclear arsenal more modern and effective. Along with nuclear modernization, he wants to enhance homeland security, deter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific, and strengthen the U.S. defense industry. These are the primary goals he hopes to achieve with the extra funding.

Congress Holds the Power

While the White House has submitted its request, Congress holds the final decision. The budget request is essentially a proposal. Lawmakers will debate and make adjustments to the budget Trump seeks. They have the power to cut or approve funding. The request represents Trump’s vision, but it’s up to Congress to make the final call on how much money will be allocated.

Pentagon Budget and the Reconciliation Bill

The White House wants to add $119 billion to the current Pentagon budget. This would increase the defense budget to $893 billion. The extra funds would be included in the reconciliation bill, which is currently under debate in Congress. A senior official at the White House described this as a historic spending figure. They said this would align with the defense spending levels during the Reagan administration, as a percentage of GDP. By including the extra funding in the reconciliation bill, the government would target specific national security needs.

Concerns from Key Lawmakers

Not all lawmakers agree with the proposed budget. Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) expressed concerns. He argued that the proposed Pentagon budget is too low. He believes the number should be higher. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also raised concerns about the adequacy of the $893 billion figure. These lawmakers think the budget needs to be bigger to address the growing challenges the U.S. faces in terms of military preparedness and global influence.

Hegseth’s Plan for Pentagon Overhaul

In addition to the defense spending request, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently ordered a major overhaul of the U.S. Army. This came just a day before the defense budget proposal. Hegseth’s memo includes a series of reforms aimed at improving the Army’s efficiency and capabilities. One of the changes involves consolidating the Futures and Training and Doctrine commands. Another change includes restructuring attack helicopter formations and adding more drones. This would make the military more cost-effective while increasing its firepower. Hegseth also aims to deploy long-range missiles by 2027. These missiles would be capable of hitting moving targets on both land and sea. Hegseth’s reforms also focus on strengthening the U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

Lawmaker Reactions and Pushback

Trump’s defense spending request has sparked reactions from various lawmakers. Rep. Jen Kiggans, a Republican from Virginia, spoke at an event last month. She is a former naval aviator and supports prioritizing defense spending. However, she acknowledged that $1 trillion is a significant amount that Trump seeks. She believes it’s necessary to invest in military capabilities like submarines, aircraft carriers, and ships. These are expensive but vital for U.S. defense. Still, Kiggans pointed out that there’s pushback on this plan even within her own party. Some lawmakers feel the budget request is too high. The debate is likely to continue as the issue moves through Congress.