Criticism of Trump’s Proposed $1.5 Trillion Pentagon Budget and Its National Impact

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:17:00 +0200

An opinion piece by defense analyst William Hartung argues that President Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget for fiscal year 2027 would ultimately weaken rather than strengthen the United States. The proposal reportedly includes about $1.15 trillion in core discretionary spending and another $350 billion tied to congressional approval through a reconciliation bill. Hartung contends that this massive increase would double down on a flawed national security strategy that prioritizes military expansion at the expense of domestic priorities and international diplomacy.

He warns that an overreliance on force, illustrated by the ongoing war with Iran, has already caused devastating human and economic consequences. The intervention, justified by concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, replaced successful diplomatic measures with risky military aggression. According to Hartung, this approach has left the United States more vulnerable by draining funds needed for public health, envir