Friday, May 2, 2025 — WafricNews

In a move that underscores a sharp pivot toward military and border security, former President Donald Trump’s administration has unveiled a proposed $1 trillion defense-heavy budget for fiscal year 2026—slashing a broad array of programs including education, health, foreign aid, housing, and climate efforts.

The so-called “skinny budget,” released Friday by the White House, sketches out Trump’s fiscal priorities, significantly boosting spending for the Pentagon and homeland security while drastically reducing funding for what his administration labels “wasteful” or “woke” programs. Though the proposal serves only as a recommendation to Congress, it sets the tone for fierce political wrangling in the months ahead.

At the heart of the proposal is a 13% increase in defense spending—raising the military budget to $1 trillion—alongside a $175 billion push to bolster border enforcement, a signature Trump campaign promise. This includes $119 billion earmarked for defense funding through Congress’s budget reconciliation process, which would allow Republicans to pass the measure without Democratic support.

Meanwhile, non-defense discretionary spending would be cut by 23%, with the budget slashing $163 billion from a range of programs that have long been targets of Trump and his allies. Protected from cuts are funding for border security, veterans’ services, and certain education grants like Title I, Pell Grants, and special education. Disaster aid and wildfire response also escape the axe.

However, deep reductions hit critical areas including:

A senior administration official described the sweeping changes as “a historic rollback of bureaucratic bloat,” adding that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency played a central role in shaping the plan. The official stated the goal was to redirect government funding toward programs that align with “American values and strength.”

While the cuts are extensive, the budget also proposes expanded investments in specific areas:

The proposal has triggered concerns from both sides of the aisle. Republican Senator Susan Collins voiced opposition to cuts to energy assistance and education programs, while questioning the true strength of the proposed defense budget. “I have serious objections,” she said, pointing to programs like TRIO and biomedical research as essential, not expendable.

Sen. Roger Wicker, a Trump ally and chair of the Armed Services Committee, criticized the blueprint for offering only an “inflation-adjusted cut” to military capabilities, not a real expansion. He warned the plan undermines service members despite its aggressive rhetoric.

Democrats, too, have condemned the budget. Senator Patty Murray called it “a roadmap to roll back decades of progress,” arguing it would weaken the social safety net and set the country up for long-term decline.

With mandatory programs like Social Security, Medicare, and food stamps untouched in the blueprint, the real battle will be over discretionary funding. And as lawmakers prepare to dive into the full version of the budget expected in coming weeks, the proposal lays bare the Trump administration’s vision for a country where defense and enforcement reign—and social investment takes a backseat.



By WafricNews Desk.