Debt in terms of government spending is a bit more complicated than just hey look at all this debt!
Debt needs to be looked at when compared to the size of the economy. Which in the US is about 15.7tn USD.
Our debt to GDP ratio is better than most other western countries, and our credit rating was downgraded not because of our debt, but because individuals were risking unnecessary default over it.
Slicing budgets indiscriminately tends to make the situation worst. Slowing down the economy and resulting in less tax receipts.