According to ChatGPT’s analysis of the U

According to ChatGPT’s analysis of the U.S. Constitution, only about 25.5% of federal government spending is explicitly required by law. The remaining 74.5% is spent on programs that are not mandated by the Constitution.

Federal Spending That is Constitutionally Required

These are the parts of the federal government that are necessary under the Constitution:

National Defense (Military, Homeland Security, Veterans Pensions, etc.) – $900 billion

Federal Law Enforcement & Courts (FBI, DOJ, U.S. Marshals, Supreme Court, etc.) – $80 billion

Diplomatic & Foreign Affairs (State Department, Embassies, CIA, etc.) – $70 billion

Infrastructure (Postal Service, Interstate Highways, etc.) – $50 billion

National Debt Interest Payments – $660 billion

➡️ Total Required Spending: $1.76 trillion (~25.5% of the federal budget)

Federal Spending That is NOT Constitutionally Required

The following areas of federal spending are not explicitly required by the Constitution. While they may be popular or useful, they are not mandated by law:

Social Security & Medicare – $2.3 trillion

Medicaid & Welfare Programs – $1.3 trillion

Education (Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, etc.) – $140 billion

Environmental Agencies (EPA, Green Energy Programs, etc.) – $80 billion

Corporate Subsidies & Other Government Programs – $1.32 trillion

➡️ Total Non-Required Spending: $5.14 trillion (~74.5% of the federal budget)

The Big Picture: What’s Actually Required?

Out of $6.9 trillion in total federal spending, only $1.76 trillion (25.5%) is constitutionally required. This means that 74.5% of the budget is spent on programs that are not explicitly mandated by the U.S. Constitution.

While some of these non-required programs may be valuable, it’s important to recognize that they are government choices, not legal requirements. This raises a key question: should the federal government spend money on things it is not legally required to do, or should it focus only on the areas the Constitution mandates?

Understanding this distinction helps Americans make informed decisions about government spending, taxation, and the role of federal power.

Are Some “Required” Expenses Actually Outside the Constitution’s Intent?

Some may argue that even within the 25.5% of constitutionally required spending, the federal government is not always following the original intent of the Constitution. For example:

The Department of Defense – While the Constitution mandates national defense, the U.S. military is involved in global policing efforts, foreign interventions, and nation-building rather than strictly defending the country’s borders. Some argue this goes beyond “providing for the common defense.”

Federal Law Enforcement (FBI, DOJ, etc.) – The Constitution grants the federal government power to enforce laws, but some believe agencies like the FBI have expanded their role into domestic surveillance, political investigations, and overreach into state affairs, which were not originally intended.

These debates highlight a broader question: Even within required spending, should federal agencies be reined in to better align with the Constitution’s original purpose? Share this post and give your opinion—what should be removed, and what should be kept?