Will the largest US defence budget clear Congress?

Will the largest US defence budget clear Congress?

From USSC Briefing Room by United States Studies Centre

May 26, 2026 · 50 min · Episode 101

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of the largest US defence budget request and its impact on the balance of powers between the Trump administration and Congress.

Last month the Trump administration submitted the largest defence budget request in history – US$1.5 trillion, which is a 40% increase from the prior year. At the same time, the administration is seeking to circumvent Congress’ ‘power of the purse’ through various legislative manoeuvres, effectively expanding the powers of the executive branch. What can the budget request tell us about the Trump administration’s defence priorities? How are they changing the balance of powers through the budget process? Are these changes likely to be long-lasting or easily reversable? Research Fellow Tom Corben and Senior Research Associate Esther Soulard recently published an explainer: Trump, Congress and the battle for the defence budget and they sat down with Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck on the podcast to discuss. Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts , Spotify and YouTube . Produced by: Elliott Brennan Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

People in this episode

Host: Mari Koeck

Guests: Tom Corben, Esther Soulard

Topics covered

  • defence budget
  • Trump administration
  • Congress
  • executive power
  • political priorities
  • budget process

Keywords

  • defence budget
  • Trump administration
  • Congress
  • executive power
  • political priorities
  • budget process
  • legislative manoeuvres
  • defence priorities

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Trump administration, United States Studies Centre, Congress

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