As the “Epic Fury” action against Iran marks its 60th day, United States Secretary of War (Secretary of Defense) Pete Hegseth emphasized during his testimony to Congress on Wednesday (April 29) that President Trump has proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget for the fiscal year 2027, focusing on three core goals.
Hegseth, speaking at a hearing held by the House Armed Services Committee, described this massive budget as a comprehensive adjustment for the U.S. military. He stressed that the government is shifting funds away from initiatives like the “awakening” movement and redirecting them towards combat, ammunition, and industrial capacity.
In his opening statement at the hearing, Hegseth stated, “The Department of Defense will no longer be distracted by nation-building, interventionism, wars with unclear objectives, regime changes, climate change, virtue signaling, and the ineffective state-building efforts.”
“We will prioritize the actual interests of our nation. We will deter war. We will advance American interests. We will defend our people. Peace is our goal – to achieve this goal, we will be prepared to fight at all times and achieve decisive victories,” he said.
“As part of this mission, we are asking American taxpayers to provide funding for the world’s most powerful military,” he added.
Hegseth noted that the proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget will be used to achieve three core goals: “rebuilding the warrior spirit,” “rebuilding our military,” and “rebuilding deterrence power.”
He stated that these three goals are set to fulfill the clear mission of the Department of Defense to “seek peace through strength,” and President Trump’s defense budget will enable the department to accomplish its mission.
On April 3, Trump unveiled the budget request for the fiscal year 2027, which needs to be approved by Congress. It calls for a significant increase to $1.5 trillion in the total budget for the fiscal year 2027, building upon the historic $1 trillion defense budget for the fiscal year 2026 while cutting non-defense spending. This highlights Trump’s emphasis on increasing military investments.
Hegseth said that the $1.5 trillion budget will ensure that the United States continues to have the world’s most powerful and capable military to address the increasingly complex and multi-theater threat environment.
The Secretary of War emphasized that the fiscal year 2027 budget will completely transform the overall pattern of military procurement. This budget will realign the military to the historic strength established during Trump’s first term and make cross-generational investments in the President’s priorities, including building the “Aegis” defense system for the United States, revitalizing the defense industrial base, especially in the shipbuilding, aviation, and drone fields.
He mentioned that the Pentagon is also investing in the next generation of F-47 fighters and adjusting military capabilities to respond to the evolving threats facing the United States.