Promising to focus the federal government on the security of Americans, the economy and infrastructure, President Trump told the nation's governors Monday at the White House they will have more authority under his administration.

Trump said the federal government will do "whatever we can to restore authority to the states, when that is the appropriate thing to do," aiming to "give you back a lot of the powers that have been taken away."

"We have to let the states compete and see who has the best solutions," Trump said. "States are different. People are different."

But he said, going forward, "governors are going to have a lot more decision making ability than they have now."

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Most of the nation's governors, 46, attended the president's black-tie ball at the White House over the weekend. The governors are in Washington for the winter meeting of the National Governor's Association.

Trump cited the governors who have joined his administration, including Vice President Mike Pence, calling them "bold reformers."

"The government should not stand in your way to give needed reforms and services," he said, citing EPA Director Scott Pruitt's plan to clear away unneeded regulatory obstacles for the governors.

He warned that doesn't necessarily mean every idea will be approved, but decisions will be made quickly – "you're not going to wait nine years or 11 years" – so states can move forward.

The objective, he said, is "the flexibility you need to implement the reforms you are going to have to have."

He hinted at what will be coming Tuesday in his address to Congress and the budget, which will be submitted next month.

It will focus on public safety and national security.

He will call for "historic increases" in defense spending "to rebuild the depleted military of the United States at a time when we most need it."

"We must ensure that our courageous service men and women have the tools they need to deter war, and when called upon to fight in our name, to do only one thing: win," Trump said..

Citing the $6 trillion the U.S. has spent over the years in the Middle East, he said, "We're going to straighten it out."

Defense spending hikes will be balanced by savings elsewhere.

"We're going to do more with less," he said.

He noted the government already was looking to save $725 million in a renegotiated contract for one "small order" for airplanes.

With $20 trillion in debt, roughly half coming under Barack Obama, he said, "The government must learn to tighten its belt."

He also said spending should go up on federal law enforcement, including on the border.

"We're keeping out terrorists, keeping out criminals, putting violent offenders behind bars or removing them from our country. They're removing the bad ones, That's where our focus is," he said.

"They are rough and tough and we are getting them the hell out of our country. Let their country do what they have to do with them," he said.

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