Overview
- Trump said he will seek a 2027 defense budget increase from $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, arguing tariff revenue could fund a "Dream Military."
- Republican defense hawks praised the tougher posture, with Sen. Mitch McConnell lauding the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro and Sen. Lindsey Graham hinting at a harder line on Cuba.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham said Trump approved moving forward on a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill and suggested a Senate vote could happen as early as next week.
- Graham said the measure aims to pressure countries buying discounted Russian oil, describing it as new leverage for the administration.
- Some Republicans, including Rep. Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene, criticized the interventions as a break from 'America First,' while the White House defended the approach as 'peace through strength' and consistent with its agenda.