The Trump Administration has been very controversial in its decision-making since Donald Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States last January. For instance, the implementation of the travel ban sparked widespread outrage across the United States and around the world. The recent ban of certain media outlets such as CNN and the BBC at an informal press conference stoked the fires of contempt for Trump even more.

Today’s events further fuel the fire. Trump announced that he is looking to initiate an increase in spending of $54bn on the military and other defence programs such as law enforcement in his 2018 budget.

This rise in spending would be funded by cuts in non-defence areas of the budget such as foreign assistance and environmental spending. Trump intends to present his budget to Congress in May 2017.

Aims of the Military Spending

President Trump stated that this spending will “rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it” and that the budget “will make the government lean and accountable.” While this announcement by the Trump Administration is only a blueprint budget and is yet to be formally planned and ratified with the necessary federal agencies, it has provoked a severe backlash within the United States.

Certainly, there has always been a valid argument that as the United States spends more money on the military than any other country, there is little need to increase military spending.

As a consequence, this latest announcement by the Trump Administration regarding its intentions to increase military spending by £54 has received criticism from figures within the Democratic Party who feel that it will threaten other important areas of the budget that safeguard the citizens of the United States.

Criticism of Trump's Intentions

Congresswoman Nita Lowey has reaffirmed that the Democratic Party “will make crystal clear the misplaced priorities of the Administration and the Republican majority, and we will fight tooth and nail to protect services and investments that are critical to hardworking American families and communities across the country”.

Additionally, comments made by President Trump about the military’s lack of will to win in conflicts have also received criticism, especially from those who have served in the United States’ military.
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