US national debt surges past $39 trillion just weeks into war in Iran

The U.S. national debt has hit a record $39 trillion

WASHINGTON -- The national debt surpassed a record $39 trillion on Wednesday, a milestone that comes just weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.

The unprecedented figure highlights competing administration priorities, from passing a massive tax law and boosting defense spending and immigration enforcement to chipping away at the debt itself — the latter of which Donald Trump promised to do as both a candidate and as president.

The Government Accountability Office outlines some of the impact of rising government debt on Americans — including higher borrowing costs for things like mortgages and cars, lower wages from businesses having less money available to invest, and more expensive goods and services. Advocates for a balanced budget also warn that the long-term trend of borrowing more and paying more in interest will force Americans to face tougher fiscal tradeoffs ahead.

Michael Peterson, chair and CEO of the nonprofit Peter G. Peterson Foundation, created to raise awareness of America’s long-term fiscal challenges, said in a statement that “we must recognize this alarming rate of growth and the significant financial burden we are putting on the next generation.”

The trajectory of the rising costs is also a concern. The federal debt has surged under both Republican and Democratic presidents, most recently fueled by wars, large-scale pandemic spending and tax cuts.