Staff Reports
The United States is flirting with fiscal disaster, with national debt interest payments eclipsing defense spending. President Trump has been vocal about his desire to balance the federal budget; however, merely cutting wasteful spending is akin to putting a band-aid on a bullet wound. A serious reckoning is in order that stretches far beyond just trimming the fat—it’s time to deploy the nuclear option in terms of fiscal policy.
What’s needed is a systematic disarming of the federal government’s oversized operations. The ultimate weapon in this budget war? A decisive elimination of all federal spending that strays outside the confines of the Constitution. If there’s any hope of restoring fiscal sanity, it must start with an understanding of the limited scope of the federal government’s powers as envisioned by our Founding Fathers.
The numbers are staggering: balancing the budget demands an annual cut of over $2 trillion. Yet, as reported in April, DOGE has only pinpointed around $140 billion in unnecessary expenses—it’s a drop in the bucket at less than 7 percent of what’s required. Meanwhile, woke judges and Senate Democrats have cunningly thwarted any meaningful efforts to make the necessary cuts. It’s a paradox of epic proportions; the very institutions meant to uphold our Constitution are blocking the path to fiscal responsibility.
Federal spending must adhere to the specific functions laid out in the Constitution. These enumerated powers are crystal clear: they facilitate national defense, regulate commerce, and manage postal services. Anything outside this limited scope—like foreign aid, federal insurance programs, and education—is a costly distraction that should be handled at the state level, in accordance with the Tenth Amendment. The likes of FEMA, Medicaid, or our Department of Education? They simply do not belong in Washington’s bloated budgetary grasp.
The good news is that President Trump can take the reins and begin a rapid phase-out of these unconstitutional expenditures, putting an end to federal meddling in state affairs. States should take on the responsibility of funding local programs such as Medicaid and education, which would allow citizens to hold their local governments accountable. It’s no secret that this could result in higher state taxes—a necessary evil if states are to finance programs that Washington has no business managing. That’s where the burden rightfully ought to lie: with the taxpayers who actually want these programs, not buried deep in the pockets of future generations.
Op-Ed: Don't Just Stop Wasteful Spending, Kill Unconstitutional Spending, Too: “The United States is careening toward bankruptcy.” https://t.co/Iq0bwaJuyD pic.twitter.com/vEo7JJUIWN
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) April 14, 2025
This strategic pivot couldn’t come soon enough. Transitioning responsibilities to states over a two-and-a-half-year period would afford the necessary adjustment time while setting the stage for potential constitutional amendments. Among the proposals, many Americans would likely back a change legitimizing components of Social Security and Medicare, as well as increasing the retirement age.
Congressional Republicans and President Trump must act decisively. Initiating the process quickly—especially as Fiscal Year 2026 approaches—could open up avenues for eliminating the Department of Education, among other entities. By refusing to allocate funds for expenses that flout the Constitution, Trump could pivot to a robust defense strategy against future legal entanglements, forcing those pesky judges to justify their unconstitutional funding claims with sound reasoning—something they can’t do.
Eliminating these unconstitutional spending habits would not only restore fiscal order but enhance national security as well. With a reenergized budget approach, the U.S. could diminish its reliance on foreign entities like China, potentially even halting interest payments on debt to discourage their aggressive posturing toward Taiwan. It’s a bold strategy that walks the line between financial stability and geopolitical strength, positioning America for success both at home and abroad.
