The White House unveiled President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for 2027 on Friday, which plans to increase the defense budget by $445 billion while cutting non-defense spending by $73 billion compared to 2026.
The Office of Management and Budget, headed by Secretary Russ Vought, is aiming for a 10% reduction in non-defense spending from the previous year’s figures. The administration aims to cut what it deems “woke, weaponized, and wasteful programs,” while still supporting seniors, veterans, law enforcement, and other high-priority government sectors.
In contrast, the proposal requests Congress to boost defense spending from approximately $1 trillion in 2026 to $1.5 trillion in 2027.
“This translates to an increase of $445 billion, making it a 42% jump from the total resources allocated in 2026. The budget outlines $1.1 trillion in defense-specific discretionary funding for 2027,” reads the budget top line document.
“Moreover, it seeks an additional $350 billion to align with the administration’s key priorities, which include enhancing access to vital military resources and expanding the defense industrial base,” it was noted.
Additionally, the budget outlines $40.8 billion in discretionary spending for the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The president is adhering to his promises to tackle immigrant crime, dismantle foreign drug cartels, curb gang violence, and imprison violent offenders. The proposed budget reflects a strong commitment to these tough-on-crime strategies by providing a historic $40.8 billion in discretionary budget authority for the DOJ in 2027, which represents an increase of $4.7 billion, or 13 percent, compared to 2026.
The proposal also seeks $30 million for the DOJ’s National Fraud Division. Under this funding, the White House intends to allocate $1.7 billion for enhancing prison security and restoring Alcatraz.
“This budget also reinforces the President’s dedication to transforming Alcatraz Island into a state-of-the-art, secure penitentiary, with $152 million earmarked for initial project costs,” the budget plan stated.
The White House is also pursuing essential funding aimed at securing the homeland and facilitating the removal of illegal immigrants, as noted in the budget outline.
It proposes investing $136 million in Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) technology to streamline customs and trade processes and speeds up the ACE implementation timeline by a year. The budget allocates $322 million for anti-drug technology and operations and $243 million for air and maritime operation assets. It maintains critical funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 2026 levels, including $2.2 billion aimed at sustaining 41,500 immigration detention beds. Together with the funding provided by the WFTC, this would support as many as 100,000 single adult beds and 30,000 family unit beds, aiding U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and ICE in securing the homeland and facilitating lawful trade and travel, all while implementing the administration’s mass deportation plans.
The budget sets aside $1.47 billion to ensure the territorial security of the United States, allowing the Department of Defense to meet border-related operational needs, particularly along the southern border. This includes funding for sensor, intelligence, and surveillance capabilities to proactively address threats. Furthermore, $605 million is allocated for the National Guard’s Safe and Beautiful Washington Task Force, aimed at safeguarding the capital, and an additional $216 million for National Guard Response Forces to assist in incidents that require military support.
It plans to utilize $5.6 billion from consular fee revenue to enhance the welfare of American citizens domestically and internationally, while also advancing the State Department’s border security initiatives. This involves reinforcing legal immigration pathways through thorough visa reviews and fortifying U.S. borders and passport services. Additionally, there is a proposed $1.2 billion for combating cartels and other transnational criminal organizations and to address the rampant issue of synthetic drug trafficking, especially in the Western Hemisphere.
Moreover, the plan aims to reallocate funds from the previous administration’s Infrastructure and Jobs Act for measures aimed at reducing energy costs and bolstering wealth. It also includes $3.5 billion for the swift deployment of stable baseload power and $1.2 billion to support the establishment of seven AI supercomputers at Argonne National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
A proposed increase of $483 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs is noted for 2027, along with $10 billion dedicated to priority construction and beautification projects in and around Washington, D.C., and $481 million for the Federal Aviation Administration aimed at enhancing air traffic control jobs.
