Key facts
- Republican defense hawks are concerned about President Donald Trump's recent actions regarding Russia.
- Lawmakers warn that Trump's defense agenda could be jeopardized by a few defections.
- Representative Don Bacon expressed reluctance to fund Trump's agenda due to his perceived stance on Russia.
A group of Republican defense hawks is signaling potential opposition to President Donald Trump's $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget. Their concerns are driven by Trump's recent receptiveness to Russia, including allowing Russian diesel fuel sales, waiving sanctions on Moscow, and a slowdown in Ukraine's satellite defenses. These lawmakers warn that Trump's agenda may not survive if his embrace of Moscow continues, potentially jeopardizing his entire defense agenda with just a handful of defections. Representative Don Bacon stated that he does not see why Congress should fund Trump's agenda given his perceived stance on Russia, and believes other lawmakers feel similarly.