Trump Promises Historic DOD Funding Increase

President Donald Trump on Monday promised a “historic” increase in the defense budget, with the Office of Management and Budget calling for a $54 billion jump in base funding for next year along with even more in a Fiscal 2017 supplemental request. “This is a landmark event, a message to the world, in these dangerous times of American strength, security, and resolve,” Trump told a meeting of the National Governors Association at the White House on Monday. He said the increase in funding is needed to “rebuild the depleted military” at a time when it is most needed. A White House official told reporters the request will include a $54 billion increase in Trump’s first budget proposal, paying for the increase with cuts from non-defense spending, including foreign aid and other reductions for the State Department, Reuters reported. Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis on Monday would not confirm the details, but said the Defense Department will focus on its highest priority programs to execute by the end of Fiscal 2017, and use budget increases to find ways to rebuild readiness “in ways that reflect being good stewards of taxpayer funds.”