Trump Proposes $163 Billion Budget Cuts, Boosts Defense Spending

President Donald Trump's administration has released a 2026 budget proposal featuring $163 billion in cuts to non-defense domestic spending, while significantly increasing funding for national security, including a 13% boost to defense and nearly 65% more for homeland security. The so-called 'skinny budget' serves as a blueprint for Republican lawmakers, prioritizing reductions in federal bureaucracy, climate change, and diversity programs, while ramping up resources for the military and border security. Critics argue that the plan disproportionately benefits the wealthy and large corporations, while slashing essential services such as healthcare and education for low-income Americans. The proposal comes as the national debt surpasses $36 trillion, with concerns that Trump's push to extend the 2017 tax cuts could add another $5 trillion to the deficit. Despite lacking detailed breakdowns on taxes and tariffs, the administration signals potential new revenue from tariff policies and continued scrutiny of federal spending. Lawmakers are expected to make substantial changes, but Trump's influence over the Republican-controlled Congress may shape the outcome.