Democrats Seek to Cut Funding for Trump's War

The Democrats' victory in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections could reshape the spending priorities of Donald Trump's administration. The new congressional majority plans to use its budgetary powers to scrutinize the Pentagon's soaring costs, the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, and the White House's ambitious military projects. At the center of the confrontation are Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget, the at least $47 billion cost of the war in Iran, and the $1.2 trillion Golden Dome missile defense program — issues that could become the first major battleground between Democrats and the Trump administration.

Golden Dome: Democrats' First Potential Target

One of the major projects that could face funding restrictions following the change in congressional control is the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, which Donald Trump has presented as one of the defining projects of his second presidential term.

The system is designed to create a multilayered missile shield to protect the entire U.S. mainland against missile attacks. One of its key features is the use of space-based interceptors to detect and destroy incoming missiles.

However, the project's estimated cost has reached approximately $1.2 trillion, making it one of the most expensive military initiatives in U.S. history.

Democrats argue that such spending is difficult to justify at a time when American households are struggling with rising living costs. The new congressional majority could therefore reduce funding for the project and redirect more resources toward fulfilling its domestic economic and social policy commitments.

This approach is part of a broader Democratic effort to reassess the Trump administration's spending priorities, which could extend beyond Golden Dome to other major military projects backed by the White House.

The $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget: Trump's Military Ambitions Under Scrutiny

The main confrontation between Democrats and the White House is expected to center on the proposed 2027 defense budget.

Trump has called for increasing U.S. defense spending to $1.5 trillion in 2027, up from approximately $900 billion in 2026. This would represent a $600 billion increase in military spending in a single year.

To put that figure into perspective, France's defense budget is expected to reach €63.4 billion.

The White House had planned to secure the additional funding through two separate legislative measures:

• $1.15 trillion through the annual defense appropriations process: This portion would follow the standard congressional procedure for approving annual military spending.$350 billion through a budget reconciliation bill: This mechanism allows certain spending measures to pass more quickly and, under specific conditions, bypass the Senate's usual 60-vote threshold.

Together, the two measures are intended to finance Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget.

However, Republicans are facing a limited window of opportunity. They must act before January 3, when Democrats are scheduled to formally take control of the new Congress.

Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, has urged Republicans to use this period to secure approval for the funding package. He has argued that the Department of Defense needs additional resources to address current threats.

However, the proposal has also encountered resistance within the Republican Party itself. Some Republicans oppose the $350 billion reconciliation package and want to punish Trump for what they see as excessive flexibility toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As a result, the administration faces opposition to its spending plans not only from Democrats but also from within its own party.

The Iran War: The Main Source of Conflict Between Democrats and Trump

One of the main reasons Democrats oppose the increase in military spending is the cost of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which, according to Le Monde, began on February 28.

Democrats argue that the Trump administration entered the conflict without obtaining the necessary authorization from Congress, effectively bypassing lawmakers' oversight of military decisions and U.S. foreign policy.

According to figures cited in the Pentagon's reporting, the conflict has already cost $47 billion. However, the U.S. administration has requested an additional $67 billion to finance the ongoing war.

Importantly, the $47 billion figure does not necessarily cover the full cost of the conflict. Rebuilding U.S. military bases damaged during the fighting in the Middle East could impose additional expenses on the government.

Democrats therefore intend to make the war's financial costs one of the central issues in their investigation of Pentagon operations.

The dispute could even trigger a new budget crisis in Washington. According to Le Monde, disagreements over war funding and defense spending could lead to a legislative deadlock and potentially a government shutdown beginning December 11.

Using Budgetary Powers to Restrain Trump's Foreign Policy

Democrats are not relying solely on political opposition to challenge Trump's policies. They intend to use Congress's authority over government spending and budget allocations as a means of exerting pressure on the administration.

Under the U.S. political system, Congress has significant authority over federal spending. Therefore, although the president serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, many military programs still require congressional approval for their funding.

Democrats could consequently put direct pressure on White House decisions by restricting or attaching conditions to military appropriations.

On November 4, Adam Smith, the Democratic representative from Washington state and the party's nominee to lead the House Armed Services Committee, presented a roadmap for increased oversight of the Pentagon.

He has pledged to establish a committee to investigate the Trump administration's policies. Its mandate would cover issues ranging from the war against Iran and U.S. military strikes against suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean to the deployment of the National Guard in several major American cities.

Smith has also called for a comprehensive reassessment of U.S. national defense strategy, arguing that the country should pursue a more realistic and sustainable approach that does not require a defense budget exceeding $1 trillion or come at the expense of essential domestic programs.

From the Democrats' perspective, controlling military spending is not simply an economic decision. It is also a way to restore Congress's role in shaping American foreign policy.

Opposition to the War: The Democrats' Electoral Message

Democrats believe the midterm election results represent more than a shift in the balance of power in Congress. They also see them as a message about American voters' priorities.

Asli Aydintasbas, a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington, argues that opposition to the war in Iran was one of the key messages of the election.

She says Democrats have sought to redirect voters' attention toward everyday concerns by criticizing military spending and the war, including purchasing power, housing costs, and economic pressures.

From this perspective, the dispute over the Pentagon budget goes beyond the financial burden of the war. Democrats want to redirect resources allocated to Trump's military projects toward domestic and economic programs.

Another major White House initiative could also face scrutiny: the so-called Trump-class frigates.

The proposal involves building a new generation of warships designed to carry nuclear missiles. With the change in congressional control, funding for this project could also be reduced or reassessed.

Financial markets have already shown signs of concern over a possible shift in U.S. military policy. Shares of several defense companies fell on Wednesday, one day after the Democrats' election victory.

However, not all analysts support cuts to military spending. Reuel Marc Gerecht, a researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a figure close to American neoconservatives, has warned that reducing military funding while U.S. forces face potential threats could have serious consequences for national security.

Pete Hegseth: Democrats' Next Political Target

The Democrats' confrontation with the Trump administration is unlikely to be limited to military spending and budget oversight. One of their main targets is Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, who has become one of the administration's most controversial figures.

Hakeem Jeffries, the New York representative and Democratic leader in the House, said before the election that removing Hegseth would be among the party's first actions after taking control of the chamber.