Hegseth Cuts Over $580M From Pentagon Contracts Amid DOGE Review

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the cancellation of over $580 million in contracts and grants within the Department of Defense (DoD) that do not align with the Trump administration's priorities. The cuts include a $280 million over-budget HR software project originally estimated at $36 million, along with $360 million in grants related to diversity initiatives, climate change, and equitable AI research. Hegseth emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer dollars, stating that these expenditures were not a good use of funds. Additionally, $30 million in consulting contracts with firms like Gartner and McKinsey were terminated as part of efforts to reduce reliance on external services. This initiative is part of a broader push to streamline military spending and enhance combat readiness. The Pentagon has partnered with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to identify further wasteful spending, totaling approximately $800 million thus far.