Key Takeaways

• Nearly 80% of Americans support increasing defense spending, with 49% strongly favoring a larger military budget.
• National priorities indicate a preference for domestic spending on social programs over defense, although security aid to Ukraine and Israel is favored by over half of respondents.
• Republican voters significantly back a strong military presence to address threats from both China and Russia simultaneously.

Growing Support for Defense Spending

The annual Reagan National Defense Survey has revealed a significant uptick in American support for increased defense spending, with nearly 80% of respondents advocating for a larger military budget. This figure marks a 2-point increase from the previous year, reflecting a consistent trend in national security opinion over the last six years. About 49% of participants expressed strong approval for heightened defense expenditures, placing this issue ahead of other foreign policy interests, such as international aid (43%) and promoting freedom abroad (61%).

Despite the enthusiasm for increased defense spending, domestic issues remain a higher priority for many Americans. Support for funding domestic programs like Social Security (89%), healthcare (84%), and infrastructure (89%) far exceeds the backing for military enhancements. This growing concern raises questions about the sustainability of defense budgets, particularly as entitlement programs may increasingly consume financial resources in the upcoming years.

The survey, conducted by the Ronald Reagan Institute, included about 2,500 Americans and took place shortly after the recent presidential election. Although national security typically ranks lower in voters’ priorities, the past year saw heightened attention to this issue. Differing perspectives on America’s global role, alongside dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s foreign policy—especially regarding conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon—contributed to this shift.

Public confidence in the military witnessed a slight rebound; however, trust levels remain nearly 20 percentage points below the 70% peak noted in 2018. Support for continued U.S. military aid to Ukraine and Israel is evident, with 55% and 54% respectively endorsing this assistance. Additionally, 41% of respondents believe the U.S. military should be robust enough to engage in contested conflicts with both China and Russia simultaneously, suggesting a strong demand for an expansion of military capabilities.

Rachel Hoff, policy director at the Reagan Institute, noted that President Trump’s “peace through strength” mantra resonated with voters, highlighting defense spending as a pivotal campaign issue. Despite this, Trump has not clearly articulated what his vision of “peace” or “strength” entails. His prior tenure saw military spending increase; however, his stance does not entirely align with the Republican Party’s foreign policy factions. These factions generally fall into three categories: traditional hawks advocating for an expansive military presence, prioritizers who prefer selective engagement, and restrainers who advocate limited involvement.

Notably, public support for shifting defense resources from Europe to Asia is limited. Among Republican respondents, a striking 88% favor increased defense spending to maintain a military capable of addressing multiple global challenges. As expressed by Thomas Kenna from the Reagan Institute, there is a strong consensus among Republican voters for maintaining a sizable military presence to effectively respond to threats posed by both China and Russia.

The full results of the survey are accessible via the Ronald Reagan Institute’s website, providing further insight into the evolving perceptions concerning national defense among Americans.

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