Pentagon Ordered to Cut $50 Billion to Fund Trump’s Military Priorities/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to identify $50 billion in budget cuts to fund Trump’s military priorities, including border security and a new U.S. Iron Dome missile defense system. The cuts will target diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and climate programs, drawing comparisons to the drastic 2013 sequestration.
Pentagon Cuts – Quick Looks:
- $50 billion in defense cuts aimed at reallocating funds to Trump’s top military priorities.
- Targets include DEI programs, climate initiatives, and other “excessive bureaucracy.”
- Funds to support border security and the creation of a U.S. Iron Dome missile defense system.
- Cuts represent 8% of the Pentagon’s budget and mirror the scale of 2013 sequestration.
- Services face pressure to identify offsets before the 2026 fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
- Long-term procurement programs and military entitlements likely remain protected.
- Past drastic cuts resulted in reduced training and increased military accidents.
Pentagon Ordered to Cut $50 Billion to Fund Trump’s Military Priorities
Deep Look:
Hegseth Orders Pentagon to Slash $50 Billion for Trump’s Military Agenda
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a major shakeup of defense spending, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the U.S. military to identify $50 billion in budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year to fund President Donald Trump’s military priorities, including enhanced border security and a proposed “Iron Dome for America.”
“The time for preparation is over,” said Robert Salesses, acting deputy defense secretary. “We’re eliminating excessive bureaucracy, climate initiatives, and radical DEI programs to focus on warfighters.”
The move reflects Trump’s focus on border defense and military readiness while aiming to eliminate programs deemed wasteful by his administration.
What Will Be Cut?
- While no specific programs were listed, targeted areas include:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives
- Climate-related spending (e.g., alternative fuels, base weatherproofing)
- Administrative and bureaucratic costs
These cuts could affect projects like:
- Green energy transitions for military vehicles and aircraft
- Base upgrades to withstand extreme weather (e.g., Hurricane Michael’s damage to Tyndall AFB in 2018)
“We will prioritize border security and missile defense over climate ‘resilience,’” Salesses emphasized.
What’s Being Funded Instead?
- Trump’s defense priorities for the reallocated funds include:
- U.S. Iron Dome missile defense system – capable of intercepting threats from space.
- Expanded border security measures, including surveillance technology and personnel.
- Increased readiness funding for active combat units.
Budget Cuts: How Big Is $50 Billion?
The cuts represent about 8% of the Pentagon’s $700+ billion budget, similar in scale to the 2013 sequestration, which forced:
- Cuts in operations and maintenance
- Reduced flight hours and training
- Increased military training accidents
While large procurement programs and military entitlements (e.g., retirement, healthcare) are likely to remain untouched, operations and maintenance accounts—often easier to slash—may bear the brunt again.
Timeline and Process:
- Deadline: Cuts identified by early summer to shape the 2026 fiscal request.
- Congress will review and negotiate before the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year.
- Pentagon must find offsets to prevent increased deficits while funding Trump’s agenda.
“This is about reallocating, not shrinking military strength,” Hegseth assured military leaders.
Potential Impacts and Concerns:
- Military Readiness: Could operational cuts affect combat readiness and training?
- Climate Resilience: Will bases remain vulnerable to extreme weather events?
- Personnel Morale: How will targeting DEI programs impact recruitment and retention?
- Defense Contractors: Procurement programs may be safe, but smaller projects could be axed.
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