United States President Donald Trump on Friday announced that the Pentagon will undergo scrutiny from the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The move signals a major shake-up in federal oversight as Trump pushes forward with his agenda to streamline government spending.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump declared that he has “instructed” Musk to examine the operations of the agency, citing concerns over what he described as “tremendous amounts of money” being wasted on ineffective programs.
“We’re talking about trillions of dollars… being wasted, and perhaps illegally,” Trump said.
The president touted DOGE’s work as a necessary step in reducing government inefficiencies, emphasizing that much of its operations are taking place at his insistence.
The Pentagon has yet to respond to Trump’s announcement, but the move has already sparked heated political debate in Washington.
The Pentagon has failed to pass an audit for the seventh consecutive year, raising concerns over financial transparency despite its nearly trillion-dollar budget.
DOGE’s Expanding Oversight Targets Pentagon and Federal Agencies
This development comes days after DOGE took aim at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), placing employees on administrative leave and barring access to offices while conducting a review of the agency’s financial activities.
USAID, which channels billions in humanitarian aid worldwide, was temporarily shielded from further action by a federal judge on Friday, following reports that its headquarters signage had been covered with black tape.
The rapid expansion of DOGE’s influence has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the advisory committee “not a real government agency” and accused it of executing “a hostile takeover of the federal government.”
Political Divide Over Pentagon Oversight Intensifies
**“An unelected shadow government is making major decisions about federal spending without congressional approval,”** Schumer wrote on X (formerly Twitter). **“This is unprecedented, illegal, and dangerous.”**
Republicans, however, have lauded the move as a necessary step to curb excessive spending. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended DOGE’s actions, stating that “bureaucratic bloat has crippled American taxpayers for decades.”
Hegseth’s Plan for Pentagon Reform and National Security Priorities
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed his commitment to financial accountability within the Department of Defense.
During a town hall with Pentagon staff, Hegseth vowed to ensure the agency passes a clean audit within four years—a milestone the Pentagon has yet to achieve since becoming legally obligated to do so in 2018.
“The American taxpayers deserve to know where their $850 billion goes and how it’s spent,” Hegseth said.
During his confirmation hearing, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Hegseth on his past financial mismanagement of two veterans organizations, questioning whether he was fit to oversee such a vast budget.
Hegseth dismissed these concerns, stating that “every dollar we waste is one dollar we could invest elsewhere.”
Beyond financial oversight, Hegseth reiterated the Pentagon’s focus on national security priorities, including deterring adversaries and reinforcing the southern border.
He also vowed to hold top military officers accountable for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan under the Biden administration.
Additionally, Hegseth pledged to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the Department of Defense, aligning with Trump’s broader effort to roll back DEI initiatives across federal agencies.
As Musk and DOGE continue their government-wide reviews, agencies across Washington are bracing for further scrutiny.
