A $1 TRILLION DEFENSE BUDGET FOR THE MOST ADVANCED LASER AND DRONE TECHNOLOGY WITH HUMAN CONTROL TO TRULY PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
A Real Military Budget for a New Era
A Campaign Policy Paper from Candidate John Rice 🇺🇸🙏
A Genuine Volunteer Minister Since 1993
A Candidate for President
My fellow Americans,
America is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis. Our national debt has surpassed $40 trillion. We now pay over $1 trillion per year just in interest on that debt. This is unsustainable. This is a burden on our children and grandchildren.
At the same time, we are wasting trillions of dollars on outdated military equipment, endless wars, and a global base network that no longer serves America’s interests. The American people are paying for this at the pump and at the grocery store.
I will not stand for this waste. And as your President, I will end it.
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PART ONE: THE WASTE OF ENDLESS WARS
The Cost of Endless Wars
Direct war costs in Iraq and Afghanistan: over $5 trillion.
Brown University’s Costs of War project estimates the final cost of the post-9/11 wars at $3.7 to $4.4 trillion.
U.S. aid to Ukraine: over $300 billion — and counting.
The Iran War: Over $700 Billion and Counting
War Start Date: February 28, 2026
Current Date: August 23, 2026
Days of War: 177 days
Daily Cost: $1.5 Billion Per Day
177 days × $1.5 billion per day = $265.5 billion
But that is only the direct military spending.
Cost Categories:
· Direct Military Spending: $265.5 billion
· Munitions Replacement: $67+ billion
· Oil Price Shock / Gasoline Increase: $100+ billion
· Inflation Impact on American Families: $50+ billion
· Depleted Military Supplies (Replacement): $200+ billion
· Veteran Healthcare & Disability: $100+ billion (over time)
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: OVER $700 BILLION
The Depletion of American Military Supplies
The war has severely depleted U.S. weapons stockpiles:
· Nearly 80% of THAAD interceptor missiles used
· Roughly half of all Patriot missiles used
· A third of Tomahawk and JASSM missiles used
· Will take 2-3 years to replenish stockpiles
This is a direct threat to America’s national security.
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PART TWO: THE COST OF AMERICA’S OVERSEAS MILITARY EMPIRE
The United States maintains approximately 750 military bases in over 80 countries. The annual cost of maintaining this global network is staggering.
Cost estimates:
· RAND Corporation / Quincy Institute: $55 billion
· Institute for Policy Studies: $80 billion
· Overseas personnel alone: $150+ billion
According to the Pentagon, the military has at least 19 to 22 percent excess base capacity worldwide.
The Hidden Costs
· Environmental damage: Military bases are among the most polluted sites in the world, with PFAS “forever chemicals” contaminating over 700 military sites.
· Forced displacement: The entire Chagossian population was removed from Diego Garcia to build a US base.
· Local opposition: From Okinawa to Djibouti to Germany, local populations have protested US military presence for decades.
· Blowback: Osama bin Laden cited US bases in Saudi Arabia as a primary motivation for the 9/11 attacks.
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PART THREE: THE WASTE OF FOREIGN MILITARY AID
The U.S. has recently approved and fast-tracked billions in weapons sales to Muslim-majority nations.
United Arab Emirates: $8.0+ Billion (THAAD radar, counter-drone systems, AMRAAM missiles)
Kuwait: $8.0 Billion (LTAMDS radars)
Saudi Arabia: $9.0 Billion (PAC-3 air defense missiles)
Jordan: $70.5 Million (Aircraft maintenance, logistics)
These recent packages total approximately $25 billion in arms sales to Muslim nations.
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PART FOUR: A 21ST CENTURY DEFENSE BUDGET — $1 TRILLION PER YEAR
I will cap total defense spending — including all intelligence and black budget programs — at $1 trillion per year.
This is more than enough to defend America. It is not enough to police the world.
The Budget Breakdown
Offshore Laser Platforms (500 kW – 1 MW): $150 billion (Unmanned concrete platforms along U.S. coastlines)
AI-Integrated Combat Drones: $150 billion (Laser-armed drones with human-controlled firing)
EMP Protection for Critical Infrastructure: $50 billion (Hardening power grid, military communications, satellites)
Space-Based Satellite Defense: $50 billion (Hardening and protecting American satellites)
Personnel, Training, Domestic Base Operations: $200 billion (Troop pay, benefits, training, domestic bases)
Research & Development (Next-Gen Lasers, AI): $100 billion (1 MW+ lasers, directed energy, AI integration)
Maintenance & Infrastructure: $100 billion (Domestic base maintenance, equipment upkeep)
Reserve & Contingency: $100 billion (Unforeseen threats and emergency response)
Artificial Intelligence & Cybersecurity: $50 billion (AI-powered defense with human control requirements)
Intelligence & Black Budget: $50 billion (All intelligence and classified programs)
TOTAL: $1,000,000,000,000
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PART FIVE: OFFSHORE LASER PLATFORMS (500 kW – 1 MW)
The Technology Is Real and It Works
Israel’s Iron Beam laser system is already operational. It uses a 100 kW laser to shoot down rockets and drones. Each interception costs just $3.50 in electricity — compared to $50,000 to $100,000 per Iron Dome interceptor.
The Pentagon is already building a 500 kW containerized laser through the Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS) program. On July 9, 2026, the Department of War awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin and nLight Defense with an $86 million initial award and a $847 million program ceiling.
A laser weapon fires at the speed of light, never runs out of ammunition, and costs only a few dollars per shot.
What I Will Do
Instead of wasting $14–23 billion on a single Trump-class battleship or $2–4 billion on a single destroyer, I will build unmanned offshore concrete platforms with 500 kW–1 MW lasers along the U.S. coastline.
These platforms will have unlimited seawater cooling, no fuel costs (powered by shore cable), minimal crew requirements (remotely operated), and pennies-per-shot cost vs. millions per missile.
Costs:
· 500 kW–1 MW laser system: $50–80 million each (500 units = $25–40 billion)
· Concrete/steel offshore platform: $50–100 million each (500 platforms = $25–50 billion)
· Undersea power cable connection: $10–20 million each (500 = $5–10 billion)
Total One-Time Investment: $55–100 billion
Annual operating cost: ~$25 billion
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PART SIX: AI-INTEGRATED COMBAT DRONES WITH LASERS
The Technology Is Already Being Deployed
The Pentagon is already planning a massive expansion of drone warfare. The Defense Autonomous Warfare Group plans to spend $50 billion on drone warfare. The proposed FY2026 defense budget includes nearly $54 billion for military drones and related technology, along with $21 billion for counter-drone systems.
The Air Force is already equipping the MQ-9 Reaper drone with laser weapons, with 25 kW lasers that can be upgraded to 300 kW.
Critical: Human Control Required
I will not allow any artificial intelligence weapon system to operate without human control.
Requirements:
· Human must fire the weapon: No AI system can launch, fire, or engage any target without a human pushing the fire button.
· Human can shut it down anytime: Every AI system will have an emergency shutdown that only a human can activate.
· Human guides the system: AI can assist, track, and recommend — but the final decision is always made by a human.
· AI cannot operate by itself: Without human control, the AI weapon system will not function.
· Terminator nightmare will not happen: I will never allow AI to make life-or-death decisions on its own.
Costs:
· Combat drones with 150 kW laser capability: $20–50 million each
· Support infrastructure (launch, recovery, control): $50–75 billion
· AI integration and software: $20–30 billion
Total: $120–205 billion
Annual operating cost: ~$25 billion
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PART SEVEN: EMP PROTECTION FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The Threat Is Real
A High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) event could disable electronic systems across the size of Western Europe. Recovering the electrical grid would require replacing huge numbers of transformers, which are custom ordered, made exclusively overseas (not in the USA), with lead times of 4-8 months.
What I Will Do
Fully fund EMP hardening for all critical communications infrastructure, power grid, military communications, and satellite networks.
Costs:
· Protecting the 6,000 most critical transformers: $3–5 billion
· Comprehensive grid protection (U.S. scale): $10–30 billion
· Military communications hardening: $20–30 billion
· Satellite EMP hardening: $10–20 billion
· Research & development: $5–10 billion
Total: $48–95 billion
Annual operating cost: ~$10 billion
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PART EIGHT: SPACE-BASED SATELLITE DEFENSE
What I Will Not Do
I will not build space-based interceptors. President Trump’s “Golden Dome” space-based missile defense system would cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years — with the space-based interceptor layer alone accounting for $743 billion. The system would require 7,800 satellites at $22 million each with a 5-year service life.
Worst of all: the system can only engage about 10 incoming missiles simultaneously. Against a large-scale attack from Russia or China, the system could be overwhelmed or saturated.
This is not defense. This is a $1.2 trillion boondoggle.
What I Will Do
Harden our existing satellites against EMP, cyber attacks, and electronic jamming. Invest in ground-based lasers to blind enemy sensors. Deploy maneuverable satellites that can dodge threats.
Costs:
· Satellite hardening and EMP protection: $20–40 billion
· Space situational awareness (tracking threats): $10–20 billion
· Ground-based anti-satellite defense: $10–20 billion
Total: $40–80 billion
Annual operating cost: ~$10 billion
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PART NINE: AI AND CYBERSECURITY
Why AI and Cybersecurity Matter
Your entire defense system depends on secure networks:
· Laser platforms need secure command and control
· AI drones need protected communications
· Satellites need encrypted data links
· EMP protection needs hardened network infrastructure
If the network is compromised, everything else fails.
Allocation:
· AI-Powered Cyber Defense: $20 billion (Real-time threat detection and automated response)
· Cyber “Munitions” (Offensive Cyber): $10 billion (Deterrence and counterattack capability)
· AI Training & Talent Development: $5 billion (Addressing the military AI skills gap)
· Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity: $5 billion (Protecting power grid, communications, transportation)
· Quantum-Resistant Encryption: $5 billion (Preparing for future quantum computing threats)
· Secure Communications for All Systems: $5 billion (Ensuring laser, drone, and satellite networks are protected)
TOTAL: $50 billion
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PART TEN: BRING OUR TROOPS HOME AND CLOSE OVERSEAS BASES
The U.S. maintains approximately 750 military bases in over 80 countries. The annual cost of maintaining this global network is $55–80+ billion.
What I Will Do: Bring our troops home and close foreign bases. The money saved will be redirected to American defense, not foreign entanglements.
Annual savings: $55–80 billion
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PART ELEVEN: FOREIGN MILITARY AID — ONE EXCEPTION
I will eliminate all foreign military aid to every nation — with one exception.
Israel will continue to receive $5 billion per year for defensive laser technology.
The conditions:
· All $5 billion must be spent on laser defense technology with artificial intelligence for defensive use only.
· No offensive weapons.
· No military support for offensive operations.
· No funding for the Third Temple.
· No funding for “Greater Israel” territorial expansion.
No other nation will receive American military aid. Not Muslim nations. Not European nations. Not any nation.
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WHAT I WILL NOT FUND
1. No space-based interceptors — $743 billion waste.
2. No overseas military bases — bring our troops home.
3. No foreign military aid — except $5B/year for Israeli defensive laser technology.
4. No outdated ships — no more $14-23B battleships.
5. No speculative R&D — focus on proven technology.
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THE WASTED MONEY — WHERE IT COULD HAVE GONE
· War in Iraq & Afghanistan: Over $5 trillion
· U.S. aid to Ukraine: Over $300 billion
· Iran War (177 days × $1.5B/day): $265.5 billion+
· Golden Dome space-based interceptors: $743 billion
· U.S. National Debt: Over $40 trillion
The $743 billion wasted on space-based interceptors could have funded all 500 offshore laser platforms, all 1,000+ AI combat drones, full EMP protection for America, full satellite defense, and still have billions left over.
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MY COMMITMENT TO AMERICA
1. Cap defense spending at $1 trillion per year — including intelligence and black budget.
2. Build offshore laser platforms — 500 kW–1 MW lasers on unmanned concrete platforms along the U.S. coastline.
3. Build AI-integrated combat drones — with human-controlled firing systems.
4. Protect America’s communications — EMP-hardened infrastructure for power grid, military, and satellite networks.
5. Defend American satellites — hardening and protection, not $743 billion space interceptors.
6. Bring all troops home — remove all U.S. military bases from every nation.
7. Eliminate all foreign military aid — except $5 billion/year for Israeli defensive laser technology.
8. No AI weapons without human control — humans must always be in control of the firing mechanism.
9. Remove our entire military operation from the Strait of Hormuz and Iran.
10. Apologize to Iran — for Trump’s unchristian behavior and war crimes incitement.
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SCRIPTURAL CONTEXT
Romans 13:1-7 — God has given government authority to bear the sword to punish evil and protect the innocent. The government is God’s servant to execute wrath on the wrongdoer and to protect those who do good.
Psalm 122:6-9 (KJV) — “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.”
Nehemiah 4:17-18 (KJV) — “They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded.”
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BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR DEFENSE POLICY
Government bears the sword — Romans 13:1-7. God has given government authority to punish evil and protect the innocent.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem — Psalm 122:6-9. God’s blessing follows those who seek the good of Israel.
Work for peace but be ready to defend — Nehemiah 4:17-18. Build, work, and be prepared to defend what you have built.
“The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.” — Genesis 4:10 (KJV)
God bless America, and God bless the Patriots who will save her.
🇺🇸 REVIVAL IN THE USA! 🇺🇸 🔥🕊️🙏
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— Candidate John Rice 🇺🇸🙏
A regular hard-working American with common sense ideas
A Candidate for President
A Genuine Volunteer Minister Since 1993
“Only citizens vote. And every citizen can. Let’s do this.”
🙏🇺🇸 JOHN RICE 2028! 🇺🇸🙏
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