WASHINGTON — In a speech outlining his first national security strategy, President Trump sought to distinguish himself as a commander in chief who is breaking records and setting precedents.

Mr. Trump spoke of historic military spending, a never-before-seen emphasis on border security at home and allies finally sharing the United States’ defense burdens abroad — all claims that require some explanation. Here’s an assessment.

He falsely called the $700 billion defense policy bill for 2018 “a record.”

“We are once again investing in our defense — almost $700 billion — a record this coming year,” Mr. Trump said.

He was referring to the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual bill that authorizes funding for the Pentagon, nuclear weapons programs at the Energy Department and military elements of the intelligence community. That is different from an appropriations bill, which actually provides the funding.