Speaking to service members at Fort Liberty (which he referred to by its former name, Fort Bragg) on February 13, 2026, President Trump declared that the U.S. has officially entered the era of the $1 trillion defense budget.
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The FY2026 budget marks the first time in American history that national defense spending has eclipsed the trillion-dollar mark. The President and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth outlined a strategy focused on “restoring the warrior ethos” and aggressive modernization:
- America’s “Golden Dome”: A $25 billion initial investment for a comprehensive, nationwide missile defense shield designed to intercept ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles.
- Nuclear Triad Recapitalization: Roughly $60 billion is allocated to modernize all three legs of the nuclear triad, including the Sentinel ICBM, Columbia-class submarines, and the B-21 Raider.
- Space Force Surge: A 30% funding increase to bolster space-based sensors and interceptors integral to the Golden Dome project.
- Recruitment & Pay: To combat recruitment challenges, the budget includes a 3.8% general pay raise, plus a significant quality-of-life investment in housing and base infrastructure.
Strategic Priorities & Global Deterrence
During his remarks, the President framed the massive spending increase as a necessity for “reestablishing deterrence” against adversaries in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.
“We just approved our largest budget for military operations, over $1 trillion. We’ve never even come close. We have the greatest force anywhere on earth… and we’re getting back to basics.”
Trump also used the appearance to address domestic and regional tensions, noting that the “ready” status of the military—backed by this historic funding—is the primary tool for maintaining global order. He hinted that if tariff revenues continue to exceed expectations, he may seek to increase the request to $1.5 trillion for FY2027.
