WASHINGTON —The Trump administration released a look into its proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. The “skinny budget” request includes vast cuts to the majority of federal departments and large increases for the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.
The proposal outlines a dramatic reduction in non-defense discretionary spending — cut by $163 billion, or 23% compared to the 2025 enacted level.
According to the White House, this would represent the lowest level of non-defense discretionary funding since 2017. The administration says the savings come from eliminating programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), critical race theory, climate-related initiatives and transferring certain responsibilities to state and local governments.
Defense spending would rise by 13%, while funding for the Department of Homeland Security would increase nearly 65%. These increases are intended to bolster military readiness and immigration enforcement.
The administration emphasized that the budget would be supported by legislation referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which it intends to pass with a simple congressional majority.
In addition to defense and homeland security, the budget maintains support for veterans and law enforcement.
In a more detailed budget overview, the administration specified that the “Reconciliation” funding allocated to DHS would enable the department to “to fully implement the President’s mass removal campaign, finish construction of the border wall on the Southwest border, procure advanced border security technology, modernize the fleet and facilities of the Coast Guard, and enhance Secret Service protective operations.”
The funding is also aimed at “[bolstering] State and local capacity to enhance security around key events and facilities,” including events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
Specifically, the proposal calls for:
- $500 million in additional funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to support 50,000 detention beds;
- $766 million for advanced border surveillance and detection technology;
- Funding to maintain 22,000 Border Patrol agents;
- Additional hiring to bring total Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to 26,383.
Cuts within DHS include FEMA spending and TSA screening.
In the proposed budget, nearly 40 DOJ grant programs would be eliminated, including grant programs that “are duplicative, not aligned with the President’s priorities, fail to reduce violent crime, or are weaponized against the American people.” The budget also proposes cutting overhead funding for the FBI. The White House said it plans to reduce violent crime by “getting agents into the field” and preserving existing law enforcement officers.
The ATF is also facing proposed budget cuts, which the administration says are intended to refocus the agency’s mission while supporting Second Amendment rights and enhancing efforts to combat illegal firearms trafficking.
The proposal also includes increases to veterans programs, including $50 billion in mandatory funding through the Toxic Exposures Fund. The Fund is aimed at addressing health conditions linked to military service-related environmental hazards.
The budget also earmarks $1.1 billion in new funding to combat veteran homelessness — described by the administration as the largest increase in a decade.
