As the Pentagon works with the Department of Government Efficiency ( DOGE ) to eliminate “wasteful spending” under President Donald Trump’s administration, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memo on Thursday directing the Department of Defense to cut more than$ 58 million in contracts and grants.
Hegseth stated in a Thursday videos posted on X, previously Online, that” we’re up with yet another swift update on our efforts to cut wasteful spending and reduce it fast at the Department of Defense so we get the funds to the things that the warfighters need.” So now, I’m signing a letter that directs the termination of more than$ 58 million in DoD agreements in grants that do not align with the objectives of this leader or this department.
Hegseth argued that the$ 58 million in government contracts and provides was” not a good usage of tax money.” The Department of Defense is obligated by American citizens to provide the Department of Defense with” clarity,” and the secretary of defense needs to be “making sure we’re using it well” because of this.
Hegseth pointed out that the Pentagon would be cutting off an” Human software effort” that was originally scheduled to cost$ 36 million and take a year to finish. However, the software has now developed in eight years, cost$ 80 million over its first budget, and isn’t “delivering” what was expected.
Hegseth said,” So that’s 78 % over budget.” We’re not doing that any more.
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In the new letter, Hegseth announced that$ 6 million in Department of Defense offers would also be cut, including a$ 5 million award to “diversify and participate the Navy by engaging underrepresented BIPOC individuals and scientists,” and a$ 9 million award to “approach equal AI and machine learning models.”
Hegseth also disclosed that the new memo would cut$ 30 million in “wasteful spending” on contracts with McKinsey &, Co. and Gartner Consulting.
” Total cuts, running total,$ 800 million in wasteful spending canceled over the first few weeks as DoD partners with DOGE here to ensure that our warfighters have what they need by reducing the waste, fraud, and abuse,” Hegseth said. They are diligently working. We’re putting a lot of effort into them. We appreciate the work they’re doing, and we’re anticipating many more, so stay tuned.”
Hegseth added,” We’re going to keep going for you guys,” after signing the memo cutting over$ 58 million in “wasteful spending.”
