The overarching theme of the Trump administration seems to be cuts — except when it comes to military spending. President Donald Trump has submitted his request for the 2027 fiscal year, including a $1.5 trillion defense budget that “recognizes the current global threat environment and restores the readiness and lethality of our forces,” according to the White House.
If approved, it will be the highest level of military spending in modern history.
The request also seeks to cut $73 million allocated to domestic programs for healthcare, education and housing, as well as reduce funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which supports 6.7 million households in preventing utility shutoffs and keeping homes warm.
As energy costs continue to rise due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, low-income families will suffer.
The direct effects of the war are already obvious in rising gas prices. As of April 10, the national average was $4.15 per gallon, a sharp spike from $2.98 per gallon the day before the war began.
Addressing taxpayer concerns, the administration said the budget will eliminate unnecessary spending on “woke frivolities,” and promised to end Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, reallocating funds to “revive the warrior ethos and make America strong again”.
As of 2025, only 38% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of foreign relations and a record-low 41% believe he is looking out for the interests of average Americans.
Recent polls show Americans nationwide are not satisfied with the economy, despite Trump’s campaign promises to reduce taxes and prices. Any tax refunds are being eaten up by synchronously rising inflation.
The boosted child tax credit and tax cuts from last year have benefited wealthier Americans, not working-class families. Most Americans feel that they pay too much in taxes, considering what they get from the federal government.
American citizens cannot afford more cuts to supplemental programs while prices for essential resources continue to rise.
Not only does the public oppose an increase in defense spending, but prominent figures in Congress do, too.
Republican representatives Rand Paul and Thomas Massie from Kentucky, among several others, have explicitly objected to Trump’s war efforts in the Middle East. Other representatives take issue with the lack of transparency and specific objectives in the proposal.
The American people and many of their representatives see Trump’s 2027 budget request for what it is: an unreasonable, frivolous attempt to irresponsibly handle federal funds. Our representatives must not let it pass into law.