BLUF: The National Debt Conversation

Amidst the jostling of the Trump transition, perhaps it's time to slow down and talk about Washington’s least favorite subject: the national debt. While no one really wants to discuss it, our national debt is quickly becoming an intractable national security risk.

Aside from the long-term economic risks associated with an already ballooning debt, its effect on our national security apparatus is clear. The United States spent $882 billion on net interest payments in fiscal year (FY) 2024, which was in fact, more than national defense discretionary spending for FY 2024.

Policy analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center, Fredrick Hernandez, recently outlined the consequences of allowing this trend to continue. As Hernandez points out, servicing our debt will soon have to become a top priority, overshadowing investments in defense and leaving our allies in limbo. If we want to continue being a leader in the international community, having the fiscal capacity to respond to emerging threats will be paramount.

There are concrete (albeit painful) steps that policymakers can take to set us on the track of fiscal sustainability. However, stabilizing our debt and securing the future of our national security will certainly take a great amount of courage and determination from both sides of Washington. Whether our leaders are ready to take this on remains to be seen.

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