Defense Secretary Pete Hegses has instructed senior Pentagon officials and military leaders to build a plan to cut annual defense budgets by 8% over the next five years.
The proposed cuts were outlined in a memo issued Tuesday, ordering cuts to military headquarters in the Middle East and Europe. Conversely, it exempts 17 entities, including programs that modernize nuclear weapons, Virginia-class submarines, attack drones, surface ships, missile defense, cybersecurity and more. multiple Outlet It was reported on Wednesday.
Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Sales said on Wednesday that the cuts, which are projected to cut $50 billion from the defense budget, include border security and an “Iron and Dome for the US” missile defense system, President Trump's defense system He said he will help pay for priorities. .
According to Salesses, the Department of Defense (DOD) aims to end “unnecessary spending that will restore our military” including diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and climate change programs. .
“The department will create a list of potential offsets that can be used to fund these priorities and refocus the department on the central mission of war deterrence and victory,” Salesses said. It states.
Hegseth's memo said the deadline for the cut to be developed is Monday.
“The Department of Defense has conducted this review to ensure that it makes the most of the taxpayer dollars in a way that efficiently and effectively delivers President Trump's defense priorities. “We're doing that,” writes Saleses.
The Pentagon's current budget is approximately $850 billion. The intended cuts may be difficult to agree with Congress. Both parties and lawmakers in both rooms support the current budget or want to increase it, claiming it will help combat the threat posed by China and Russia.
“The preparation time is over. We must act urgently to revive the warrior spirit, rebuild our troops and reestablish deterrence,” Hegses said in a memo, the Washington Post According to. “Our budget will fund the combat forces we need, halt unnecessary defence spending, reject excessive bureaucracy, and promote practical reforms including audit progress. .”
The memo comes a day after Trump tasted the House version of the budget proposal. It features a $100 billion increase in defense spending. During a trip to Germany earlier this month, Heggs said he was supporting an increase in the defence budget.
“I think the US needs to spend more than the Biden administration has been pleased that it has not historically been invested in our military capabilities,” Heggs said. I said February 12th.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration ordered several defense agencies to come up with a list of probation employees as they could be fired multiple times at the end of this week. Outlet It was reported on Tuesday.
The directive was arriving at the Pentagon on Tuesday, when a staff member from the Ministry of Government Efficiency (DOGE) visited the Pentagon. Receive These lists of probation workers, usually those who reply one to two years later in their role.
The Pentagon is the largest federal agency with over 950,000 private employees. It also oversees approximately 1.3 million active service members and approximately 800,000 reserves and national security guards.
Doge also shows its intention to place full-time Pentagon workers in contract posts, so it's easier for them to fire, the New York Times It has been reported Quoted senior military officials on Wednesday.
Hegseth is considering firing many military generals and flag officers, NBC News It has been reported On Wednesday, he quoted two defense officials and three council officials.
The end may come as early as this week. A list of people who could be fired was shared with GOP members in the House and Senate. Most of those on the list are associated with former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
One of the people on the list is CNN, chairman of Chief of Staff and General CQ Brown. It has been reported On Thursday, I will quote a source familiar with the issue.
Brown greeted Hegses on his first day as Secretary of Defense. The former Fox News host said he was “standing with him now,” adding that he “looks positive about working with him.”
A few months ago, Hegses called on Brown and other generals involved in the Pentagon's DEI program to be fired.
“First of all, you have to fire the co-chief chairman,” Heggs said. I said It appeared on the “Shawn Ryan Show” podcast in November. “But the generals involved – generals, admirals, whatever – must go with him being involved in either Day Week – either you're in the battle. That's it. That's the only litmus test we care about.”
According to CNN, the other person who can ride the chopping block is Lisa M. Francetti's Naval Operations Director. Francetti is the first woman to become co-star chief. Tuesday, her visit Base on Rhode Island.
There are two candidates to become a Brown alternative. US Central Command (CENTCOM) leaders Generals Michael Kurira and Samuel Paparo will lead the Indo-Pacific Command, CNN reported.
