Progressives praise Biden for tax hike plan – but Pentagon budget stirs anger

Leftwing Democrats say defense spending is far too high and query president's request for more money for border security

Progressive Democrats have welcomed large chunks of Joe Biden's latest budget request, but there is also anger and disappointment on key issues that the left of the party holds dear, notably defense spending and immigration policy.

On Thursday, the president outlined his vision for the next fiscal year, proposing a total budget of $6.8tn, which would decrease the federal deficit by nearly $3tn through a series of tax increases on corporations and the wealthiest Americans.