Washington, D.C.– Today, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) presented President Trump’s proposed discretionary budget for fiscal year 2026 to Congress.
This budget proposes a reduction of non-defense discretionary spending by $163 billion, which amounts to a significant 23 percent decrease from the previous year’s levels. Advocates argue that this move is essential for dismantling what they perceive as a “weaponized” bureaucratic structure while simultaneously allocating historic increases to defense and border security. Additionally, it ensures funding for air and rail safety, vital infrastructure, and services for veterans and law enforcement.
Notably, this marks the lowest non-defense spending level since 2017. The proposed savings stem from the elimination of programs deemed radical, such as those focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), critical race theory, and the so-called Green New Deal. The plan aims to transfer responsibilities typically managed by the federal government to state and local levels, thus fostering a more localized governance model.
Defense spending is set to rise by 13 percent, with the Department of Homeland Security seeing a nearly 65 percent increase. This funding aims to equip military and border agencies adequately to address what the administration describes as an “invasion” at the southern border. This financial strategy hinges on the passage of President Trump’s ambitious legislation, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, designed to circumvent any obstruction from congressional Democrats who might favor traditional spending increases.
“For decades, the primary critique of the Federal Budget has been its wastefulness and bureaucratic bloat,” stated Russ Vought, Director of the OMB. “However, in recent years, federal spending has increasingly targeted the American populace, funding ideologies that many view as cultural Marxism and facilitating unchecked immigration. Now, more than ever, we require a budget that prioritizes American citizens, strengthens our military, and halts the funding of our decline.”
Key highlights of the budget include:
Ending Government Weaponization and Reducing Violent Crime. The proposed budget seeks to dismantle previous administrations’ perceived misuse of governmental power, including the elimination of disinformation offices within cybersecurity agencies, controversial fair housing initiatives, and aggressive environmental regulations. Furthermore, the budget aims to refocus the Department of Justice on reducing crime and supporting law enforcement, proposing the elimination of over 40 grant programs that were seen as misaligned with current priorities.
Defunding the Woke Agenda. The budget signals a decisive move against funding that supports DEI initiatives and other ideologies critics deem harmful. This includes the cessation of grants for programs promoting intersectionality and racial equity in early education, as well as those addressing systemic racism in housing policy.
Securing the Border. The proposal empowers the Department of Homeland Security to enact strict removal policies and enhance border security. It includes a request for $500 million for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to expedite the deportation process, alongside funding for advanced border security technologies and an increase in personnel.
Reassessing Foreign Aid. The budget reorients foreign aid to align with an America First policy, aiming to streamline the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) operations while cutting unnecessary staff associated with DEI initiatives. Additional funding for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is also included to ensure national interests are prioritized.
Rebuilding the Military. The budget requests a significant boost for the Department of Defense, consistent with the administration’s philosophy of achieving peace through strength. This includes a 13 percent increase in defense spending, designed to enhance domestic security and counter foreign threats, particularly from China.
Achieving Energy Dominance. The budget aims to bolster America’s energy independence by cancelling over $15 billion allocated to unreliable renewable energy projects and redirecting focus towards fossil fuels and advanced nuclear technologies.
Promoting Health and Nutrition. The proposed budget supports the President’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, allocating resources for nutrition and wellness programs while also proposing the distribution of food boxes sourced from domestic agriculture to households in need.
Veterans’ Support Enhancement. Increased funding for veterans’ healthcare is a cornerstone of the budget, emphasizing access to quality services and efforts to eradicate homelessness among veterans.
Preserving Social Security. The budget pledges to protect Social Security benefits while also investing in improvements to service delivery, including technological upgrades to enhance efficiency and reduce fraud.
Streamlining K-12 Education Funding. The budget continues the trend of reducing federal involvement in education, maintaining support for low-income and special education programs while consolidating various funding streams to grant states greater flexibility.
Revamping Workforce Development. The Budget proposes to give states greater control over workforce funding, emphasizing the importance of apprenticeship programs as a viable alternative to traditional college routes for skill development.
Supporting Space Exploration. NASA’s budget will focus on aggressive lunar and Mars exploration initiatives, reinforcing America’s leadership in space while eliminating programs perceived as ineffective or misaligned with national goals.
Maintaining Tribal Support. The budget ensures continued funding for essential programs benefiting tribal communities while eliminating ineffective initiatives.
Combating Drug Abuse. The administration is committed to tackling the opioid crisis, directing DEA resources towards the trafficking of dangerous substances and reallocating funds to combat drug-related crime at its source.
Investing in Technology Research. The budget allocates significant funding for artificial intelligence and quantum research, aiming to keep the U.S. at the forefront of technological innovation.
Enhancing Wildland Firefighting Efforts. The budget proposes consolidating firefighting responsibilities into a dedicated Federal Wildland Fire Service to better coordinate efforts and resources in combating wildfires.
