Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are pushing for a $150 billion increase in defense spending for 2025, raising the total budget to over $1 trillion. The plan includes funding for new warships, homeland security, and an expansion of the “Golden Dome” missile defense system. However, the proposal has sparked public debate as it comes with sharp cuts to social support programs and controversial moves in U.S. foreign policy.
Golden Dome and New Military Spending Plans
According to documents reviewed by Reuters, about $27 billion of the new military budget will be used to grow the “Golden Dome” missile defense system. This program has the full support of President Donald Trump and is seen as a key part of his strategy to make the U.S. stronger in military power.
In addition to missile defense, the new budget would include the construction of 14 new warships. Other funds are expected to boost homeland security efforts, especially those focused on protecting U.S. infrastructure and borders.
If passed, the plan would push the 2025 defense budget from $886 billion to over $1 trillion—a level not seen before in U.S. history. Supporters say this increase is needed to keep up with threats from rivals like China, Russia, and Iran. But critics say it will come at a major cost to programs that help everyday Americans.
Social and Justice Programs Face Deep Cuts
To help fund the large defense increase, lawmakers are looking to reduce spending on social services. The U.S. Department of Justice plans to cut $811 million in grants, according to insider sources. These grants support trauma treatment, programs for victims of domestic abuse, sign language interpreter services, and local police training.
These grants are normally spread out over three years, but it is unclear how much of the money has already been spent or committed. Advocacy groups warn that cutting these programs will leave vulnerable people without help when they need it most.
Some local police departments, for example, rely on federal support to pay for mental health training and community outreach. Without those funds, experts warn there could be a rise in preventable violence or poor handling of emergencies.
Pentagon Staff Changes Raise Eyebrows
The defense policy shake-up also brought internal changes. Joe Kasper, chief of staff to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has stepped down from his role. While Kasper said he left to take a part-time advisory job, media outlets suggest he was pressured to leave after disputes with senior officials.
Kasper had been a key figure in shaping Trump’s defense goals and was seen as someone close to the president. His exit raises new questions about leadership stability at the Pentagon as the military budget grows.
A $100 Billion Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia
Alongside the defense budget news, reports emerged that U.S. officials are preparing a massive $100 billion weapons deal with Saudi Arabia. The agreement is expected to include arms from big U.S. contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, RTX (formerly Raytheon), and Northrop Grumman.
This deal may be announced during President Trump’s upcoming visit to the kingdom. The proposed deal is one of the largest arms packages ever offered and is meant to strengthen U.S.-Saudi ties.
Supporters say the arms deal will create jobs in the U.S. and keep Saudi Arabia aligned with American interests. Critics, however, point to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and involvement in the war in Yemen. They warn that sending more weapons could increase violence in the Middle East.
Trump Avoids “Genocide” Term in Armenian Memorial
President Trump is also facing backlash for avoiding the word “genocide” in his statement on the 1915 Armenian massacres. Instead of calling it genocide, he referred to it as “one of the worst tragedies of the 20th century.”
This marks a sharp change from former President Joe Biden, who was the first U.S. president to officially call the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire a genocide in 2021.
Armenian-American groups reacted with disappointment. Aram Hamparian, head of the Armenian National Committee of America, said Trump’s statement was a “shameful concession to Turkish pressure.” He accused the president of stepping away from the truth for political reasons.
This shift has sparked anger among Armenian communities in the U.S. and abroad, who have long fought for official recognition of the genocide. It also highlights Trump’s effort to improve ties with Turkey, a NATO ally that strongly rejects the term “genocide.”
Debate Over Priorities Grows Louder
As lawmakers debate the biggest defense budget in U.S. history, questions are growing about the cost to American society. While the boost in military spending aims to strengthen U.S. power abroad, the cuts to justice and social services are expected to hurt vulnerable communities at home.
The proposed arms deal with Saudi Arabia and the silence on the Armenian genocide have also raised ethical concerns. Together, these moves show a clear shift in how the U.S. balances defense, diplomacy, and human rights.