Abdelrahman
Defense Secretary Calls for Significant Budget Cuts Over Five Years
In a recent directive, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed senior leaders within the military and the Department of Defense to prepare plans for an 8% reduction in the defense budget over the next five years, according to sources on Wednesday.
In a memo released on Tuesday, Hegseth emphasized that various divisions within the military and Pentagon must submit their proposals for budget reductions by the following Monday. The memo identified around 17 exceptions to these cuts, notably including military operations at the southern border.
A senior official conveyed that these budget cuts seem to aim at reallocating Pentagon funds towards initiatives favored by the Trump administration rather than decreasing the overall defense budget, which stands at approximately $850 billion annually.
For instance, the Pentagon has already allocated substantial funds towards the Trump administration’s border initiatives, which encompass military flights transporting migrants to destinations in countries like India, as reported in this article.
Hegseth has pledged to deploy thousands of active-duty U.S. military personnel to help manage the influx of migrants at the border, aligning with President Trump’s priorities. Despite record illegal crossings during the Biden era, these numbers notably declined prior to Trump taking office last month, as highlighted in this coverage.
On Wednesday, acting Deputy Defense Secretary Robert G. Salesses reiterated that the president’s directive for the department is unambiguous: to secure peace through strength. He further mentioned that the Pentagon’s budget cuts aim to enhance other strategic priorities. “To fulfill our mandate from President Trump,” Salesses noted, “we are aligned with his directives, which include border security, developing the Iron Dome for America, and eliminating inefficient government programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
The memo released by Hegseth, which was initially reported by Bloomberg, reiterated his frequent call for the military to embody the “warrior ethos.” He urged a movement away from “excessive bureaucracy” and instances of unnecessary financial expenditure.
Nevertheless, proposed cuts to the defense budget may encounter resistance in Congress, where lawmakers often prioritize budgetary measures that could impact their constituents.
As the Pentagon prepares for anticipated workforce reductions, it has already been asked to provide lists of probationary employees who could be subject to layoffs under the Trump administration.
Furthermore, a senior military official indicated that Elon Musk’s recently established Department of Government Efficiency is considering transitioning full-time Pentagon staff to contract roles for easier dismissal.
On social media, Hegseth shared a post from Musk’s team expressing enthusiasm about the prospect of eradicating “waste, fraud, and abuse.” In his post, Hegseth remarked, “DOGE the waste; Double-Down on warriors.”
