In a report by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed his intention to boost overall U.S. defense spending and played down worries about an upcoming audit by Elon Musk, aimed at identifying billions of dollars in Pentagon waste. During his first international trip in Germany, Hegseth expressed confidence in Musk’s audit to uncover cost-saving measures and enhance Pentagon efficiency, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the process.
While acknowledging concerns over potential conflicts of interest due to Musk’s companies holding major Pentagon contracts, Hegseth assured that any cost reductions would not compromise American operational capabilities. He revealed his active engagement with congressional committees to strengthen the U.S. military.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Musk’s audit initiative, with expectations of uncovering substantial fraud and abuse within the Pentagon. However, criticisms from Democrats and civil service unions highlight doubts about Musk’s qualifications to lead such restructuring efforts, particularly in safeguarding classified programs.
Hegseth dismissed comparisons with other government agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development, emphasizing that the Defense Department’s priorities lie in national security rather than global agendas. He hinted that Musk might scrutinize Pentagon initiatives related to climate change, underscoring the Defense Department’s core mission of war deterrence and victory.
As discussions unfold on potential areas for audit focus, such as shipbuilding processes, the Pentagon faces scrutiny amid its nearly $1 trillion annual budget. Hegseth advocated for increased defense spending to fortify military capabilities, citing the need to maintain a minimum of 3% of GDP allocated to defense. Encouraging investments in America’s military, he positioned defense spending as vital to national security and urged sustained support for the sector.
Idrees Ali, Edited by Franklin Paul and Marguerita Choy.
