WASHINGTON -- On the campaign trail, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promises to help military veterans and strengthen border security. But his economic plan actually would cut spending on those programs, according to a research group.

Besides cutting federal taxes in a way that would benefit high-earners more than anyone else, Trump proposed reducing non-defense domestic spending by 1 percent each year, excluding entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. The celebrity businessman and former Atlantic City casino mogul has called for sharp increases in military expenditures.

That means veterans programs and border security would be on the chopping block, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington-based research group with a focus on reducing poverty and inequality.

The reduction would add up. By 2026, non-defense spending would be reduced by more than a quarter below than current levels, accounting for inflation. That part of the budget funds the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection agency, according to the center.

"Candidates often assume voters won't get too in the weeds with policy proposals," said Krista Jenkins, a political science professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and director of the school's PublicMind Poll. "Even if they do, in this case, whatever inconsistency there might be in his border security and tax cut proposals, many Trump supporters don't seem fazed by things like this. It's attitude over policy mastery and consistency."

Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks did not respond to a request for comment.

While cutting non-defense spending, which also includes airport security, national parks and food stamps, Trump proposed eliminating the estate tax. The levy hits just two out of 1,000 estates, those worth more than $5.45 million for individuals and $10.9 million for couples, and the tax falls only on the amount that exceeds the threshold, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

While the estate tax is paid only by multi-millionaires, Trump has claimed that the tax falls especially hard on family farms and small businesses.

Only about 20 small businesses and family farms in all of the United States owed estate taxes in 2013, and they can spread out their payments over 15 years, according to the Tax Policy Center, a joint venture of the Urban Institute, a research group, and the Brookings Institution, a think tank.

Vice President Joe Biden told reporters in April 2015 that the levy hasn't caused any farmers or ranchers to lose their property.

While there are some differences, the House GOP proposal that Trump has referred to in his tax-cut plan could provide a guide as to who would benefit the most from Trump's plan.

The House Republican plan would give 76 percent of its benefits to the top 1 percent of taxpayers, with an average tax cut of $212,660, according to the Tax Policy Center. The bottom 20 percent would see an average tax reduction of $50.

Trump counted on economic growth spurred by the tax cuts to cover most of their cost of $4.4 trillion over 10 years. That's the same assumption made by Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, and instead their tax-cut legislation generated then-record deficits.

"He may think he will be able to fully fund defense and eventually other programs he approves of like veterans and border security," said Matthew Hale, a political science professor at Seton Hall University. "It's a delusional strategy, but one he seems to believe in."

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.