Trump pushes Congress to increase US military budget amid heightened tensions

President Donald Trump this week pushed Congress to increase the country's military budget for the 2027 fiscal year to $1.5 trillion, citing "real threats" against the United States amid a period of heightened global tension.

The push comes in the wake of multiple terror incidents globally, including attacks on U.S. forces in Syria, a terror attack against Jews in Australia and the shooting of two National Guard troops near the White House late last year, resulting in the death of one National Guard member. 

Trump initially called for the increase in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, claiming that money from his tariffs could cover the boost in spending, and it would allow the U.S. to build a "dream military." 

"I have determined that, for the Good of our Country, especially in these very troubled and dangerous times, our Military Budget for the year 2027 should not be $1 Trillion Dollars, but rather $1.5 Trillion Dollars," Trump wrote. "This will allow us to build the 'Dream Military' that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe."

Trump expanded on the post in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity on Thursday, stating that the United States has "the best equipment in the world" and needs the better equipment to defend against "real threats out there." 

If Congress does approve increasing the military budget for fiscal year 2027, it would be $500 billion more than fiscal year 2026, which has a $1 trillion budget. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.