Pentagon preparing $400 billion cut to Trump administration's requested defense budget - report

The Pentagon is drafting a $1.1 trillion defense budget, cutting $400 billion from President Trump's requested $1.5 trillion budget, according to a Politico report citing anonymous sources. The reduced funding could affect rebuilding weapons stockpiles depleted during the war with Iran.

The Pentagon is quietly drafting a $1.1 trillion defense budget, cutting $400 billion from President Donald Trump's requested $1.5 trillion budget, according to a Politico report published on Thursday. The report cites a defense industry official, two former officials, and another person familiar with the matter. The reduced funding could affect the pace at which the US rebuilds its weapons stockpiles depleted during the war with Iran. The US cost of the war with Iran is estimated at $47 billion, with $29 billion from critical munitions replacements. The budget is hinged on a process called reconciliation, which would allow Republican lawmakers to add $350 billion to a $1.15 trillion base budget. White House budget director Russell Vought said the administration has no developed alternatives if Congress does not back the plan. One former official noted that Republicans are increasingly angry with the administration on defense and that a $1.5 trillion budget is unlikely.