We wage wars: Donald Trump wants $1.5 trillion for the American army in 2027.

The American President is calling for a budget effort that corresponds to an increase of over 40% in the American defense budget. The request has been transmitted to Congress.

Donald Trump repeats it tirelessly: the United States military is the most powerful in the world. He believes that his first term has greatly contributed to this success, and that is why, according to him, Americans are also imperial in their war against Iran. So, there is no question of relaxing this effort. He intends to invest heavily in the American military. The White House is presenting to Congress a budget of 1,500 billion dollars to fund the country’s defense next year, an amount close to the total of all French public expenditures each year and 20 times higher than the French Defense budget. And it is also an increase of approximately 42% compared to this year’s American defense budget.

Not everything is detailed, but the Trump administration aims to modernize the American military. They also want to replenish ammunition stocks as the war against Iran continues. An important point: these 1,500 billion are not related to the 200 billion additional budget allocation that is expected to be presented to Congress soon to support the current war effort. And obviously, it is all a matter of choice because the United States is significantly indebted. The Trump administration is willing to increase the deficit, but it also wants to show that it is making efforts. Therefore, many projects and programs will undergo significant cuts to fund defense.

Donald Trump clearly outlined his project this week during an Easter lunch at the White House on Wednesday, April 1st. “We are fighting wars. We cannot take care of children’s guards, he declared. We must let the states handle it and pay for it by increasing their taxes. We cannot take care of children’s guards. Medicaid, Medicare… These individual things must be done at the state level, not the federal level.” Medicaid and Medicare are health insurance programs, the first for the less privileged, the second for seniors and disabled individuals. The message is clear: defense is the priority, national security, and social protection come second.

“We must focus on one thing: military protection. We must defend our country.”

Donald Trump, President of the United States

The budget proposal presented on Friday follows this logic: -10% for non-military expenses, 73 billion in savings are planned in health, social services, housing, education, and fighting climate change. Anything related to gender issues or racial or sexual discrimination is also being questioned. However, border protection, operations to expel illegal immigrants will be better funded. Another iconic example: 152 million dollars are requested to renovate and reopen the famous Alcatraz prison in the San Francisco Bay, which is to become a maximum security center again.

But it will have to overcome the obstacle of Congress. And this is just the beginning of the legislative battle: Democrats are already highly critical of this budget proposal. They consider these military expenses excessive at a time when Americans are concerned about their cost of living. Debates will start in the middle of the campaign for the midterm elections in November. Even if Republican lawmakers are generally under the authority of the White House, they could challenge budget cuts that affect their states and may be sensitive to voters’ concerns about the cost of living. This colossal military budget is not yet approved.