Trump calls for a major increase in defense spending alongside cuts in domestic spending

Politics Trump calls for a major increase in defense spending alongside cuts in domestic spending April 3, 20269:08 AM ET By  The Associated Press President Donald Trump arrives from the Blue Room to speak about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on April 1. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP President Trump is asking Congress to boost defense spending to $1.5 trillion, the largest such request in decades and the latest signal of the president's emphasis on U.S. military investments over domestic programs. The 2027 plans for the Pentagon were confirmed in a White House outline of Trump's 2027 budget proposal released Friday. The White House summary says Trump's proposal would reduce nondefense spending by 10% by shifting some responsibilities to state and local governments. Even before the U.S.-led war against Iran, the Republican president had indicated he wanted to bolster defense spending to modernize the military for 21st-century threats. Separately, the Pentagon last month proposed $200 billion for the war effort and to backfill munitions and supplies. Sponsor Message Politics Takeaways from Trump's tough week, as war and gas prices take a toll Trump, speaking ahead of an address to the nation this week about the Iran war, signaled the military is his priority, setting up a clash ahead in Congress. "We're fighting wars. We can't take care of day care," Trump said at a private White House event Wednesday. "It's not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare — all these individual things," he said. "They can do it on a state basis. You can't do it on a federal." The president's annual budget more broadly is considered a reflection of the administration's values and does not carry the force of law. The massive document typically highlights an administration's priorities, but Congress, which handles federal spending issues, is free to reject it and often does. With the nation running nearly $2 trillio...