Trump seeks a 44% boost to defense spending, but key Republicans signal rare defiance ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to defend the proposal before Congress, facing bipartisan skepticism over the unprecedented spending hike.
The pushback highlights growing divisions within the Republican Party and suggests Trump’s influence in Washington may be waning as his second term progresses.
What hurdles must this record defense budget overcome to gain congressional approval before the election?
How will this historic military spending proposal reshape America's relationships with its allies and rivals?
How will cuts to domestic services fund the largest military budget increase since the Korean War?
Why is the Pentagon getting a 44% raise when it has repeatedly failed its financial audits?
With a $74 billion drone budget, is the U.S. military pivoting away from traditional warfare?
Can the defense industry effectively manage a $1.5 trillion budget without fueling waste and inefficiency?