Washington, 19 December (H.S.): President Donald Trump unveiled a $1,776 Warrior Dividend for 1.45 million U.S. service members on Wednesday evening, framing it as a pre-Christmas bounty fueled by his tariffs, though administration sources clarified Friday that the payments stem from congressionally approved military housing supplements in his July-enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Symbolic Payout Honors 1776, Targets Junior RanksThe one-time $1,776 checks—echoing America's 1776 Declaration of Independence signing—will reach active-duty personnel up to O-6 rank across Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Space Force by December 20, totaling $2.6 billion from a $2.9 billion Pentagon housing allocation. Reservists and National Guard on active orders exceeding 31 days as of November 30 qualify conditionally, excluding generals and admirals.

Trump touted the gesture during his 18-minute White House address as recompense for troops' sacrifices amid elevated inflation, asserting tariffs generated far more revenue than anticipated alongside the bill's boost.

Funding Reality: Housing Stipends, Not Import Taxes

Contrary to Trump's tariff linkage, officials confirmed the funds repurpose existing housing allowances, sidestepping direct tariff revenues estimated at $158 billion for 2025 by the Tax Foundation—insufficient for broader voter dividends Trump has floated.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, blending tax cuts, defense hikes, and immigration curbs, injected $2.9 billion into military stipends to combat barracks decay and living cost pressures, enabling this rebranded supplement without new appropriations.

Critics warn such payouts risk stoking inflation via heightened spending, mirroring Republican concerns over Biden-era relief checks.Coast Guard Joins with Taxed 'Devotion to Duty' BonusHomeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem authorized parallel $2,000 Devotion to Duty payments Thursday for Coast Guard members, netting approximately $1,776 post-taxes as special duty pay from a November funding measure post-43-day shutdown. This acknowledges their bravery and innovation in a transformative year, aligning with Trump's military-wide directive.

Political Calculus Amid Tariff Backlash

Announced amid sagging economic approval ratings and persistent price hikes partly attributed to double-digit import tariffs, the dividend revives Trump's pattern of direct voter payments—from pandemic checks to teased DOGE rebates—aiming to burnish his America First credentials before midterms.Neither universal tariff dividends nor veteran inclusions materialized, with skeptics in Trump's party questioning fiscal sustainability as deficits loom.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar