Trump Promises ‘America First’ Budget

President Donald Trump on Monday told the nation’s governors that he will submit an “America First” budget that concentrates on security threats at home and devolves powers to the states.

The president’s address at a meeting of the National Governors Association came as his administration reportedly is drafting a spending plan that calls for a $54 billion increase in defense — a 10-percent hike — and deep cuts to foreign aid and most domestic government programs.

“This budget will be a public safety and national security budget, very much based on those two.”

“This budget will be a public safety and national security budget, very much based on those two,” he said, adding, “This is a landmark event, a message to the world, in these dangerous times, of American strength, security, and resolve … My budget also puts America first by keeping tax dollars in America to help veterans and first responders. So important.”

Trump called the emerging spending blueprint “a budget of great rationality,” but acknowledged that domestic cuts are coming. “We’re going to do more for less,” he said.

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The cuts are necessary because the nation is $20 trillion in debt and public safety and national security must take precedence, Trump said. The president also has vowed to protect expensive entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, which make up a huge chunk of federal spending.

“The government must learn to tighten its belt, something families all across the country have had to learn to do, unfortunately,” Trump said.

In keeping with his campaign promises, Trump said he would refocus priorities toward home. He reiterated his promise to rebuild America’s roads, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure. He said America has spent $6 trillion in the Middle East and received little benefit for it.

“That’s just unacceptable. And we’re nowhere,” he said. “Actually, if you think about it, we’re less than nowhere. The Middle East is far worse than it was 16, 17 years ago. There’s not even a contest.”

Trump alluded to a part of the Constitution that has received scant attention in Washington in recent years — the 10th Amendment, which reserves power to the states unless the federal government is specifically authorized to act.

The federal government has usurped too much of that authority, Trump said. He said the federal government would free states from regulations that stifle innovation.

“We’re gonna to give you back a lot of the powers that have been taken away from states, and great people and great governors,” he said. “And you can control if better than the federal government, because you’re right on top of it. You have something that’s controllable.”

Trump specifically mentioned environmental regulations.

“It’s been catastrophic for some of these states,” he said. “You know your citizens, and you know they want things done. But they don’t get things done, and it’s not your fault. Sometimes, it’s your fault. But they understand that. But sometimes, it’s not your fault.”

On immigration, Trump emphasized that the priority is to deport illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.

“We’re getting some very, very bad players out of this country — drug lords, gang members, heads of gangs,” he said. “Killers, murderers. That’s what we’re focused on.”

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Trump also called the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, a “failed disaster.” He said Congress must move swiftly to repeal and replace it, or else tax reform cannot be accomplished. He acknowledged recent polls suggesting the health law is at its most popular point ever. The president compared it to former President Obama’s rising poll numbers just before he left office.

“I see that with Obamacare,” he said. “People hate it. But now they see that the end is coming, and they say, ‘Oh, maybe we love it.’ There’s nothing to love, folks. It’s a disaster.”