Secretary Hegseth faced intense bipartisan criticism during his first House hearing, primarily concerning the deployment of troops to Los Angeles at a cost of $134 million, the firing of military leaders, and the elimination of diversity programs. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the lack of a detailed defense budget from the Trump administration, totaling a proposed $1 trillion, and questioned exorbitant spending on projects like a new Air Force One and a lavish Army birthday celebration. Hegseth defended the troop deployment, citing the need to protect federal agents, while also highlighting the Pentagon’s focus on adapting to new drone warfare threats following a recent Ukrainian attack. Further scrutiny surrounded his social policy changes within the Pentagon, including the removal of transgender service members and the renaming of a Navy ship previously honoring Harvey Milk.
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This week, Secretary Hegseth will testify before Congress three times regarding the Pentagon budget, despite its absence from Congressional records. The White House has actively supported Hegseth, assisting with staffing, though disqualifying some candidates deemed insufficiently “MAGA.” However, controversies surround Hegseth, including the dismissal of several senior advisors following an alleged leak investigation and the sharing of sensitive information on a private messaging app. Despite these setbacks, Hegseth has achieved successes including eliminating DEI programs and boosting military recruitment.
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During a commencement address at West Point, President Trump boasted about his refusal to cut Pentagon spending, advocating for a $1 trillion military budget. He asserted that reductions should instead target unspecified other programs. This comes after the House passed a budget including over $100 billion in military spending increases, offset by cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Critics argue this prioritization is unnecessary and benefits private contractors, while the funds could address pressing domestic needs such as healthcare, poverty, and infrastructure. The National Priorities Project demonstrated that a trillion dollars could significantly improve various social programs instead.
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Senator Sanders opposes the nearly $850 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, citing the excessive military spending while many Americans face economic hardship. He highlights the potential for “disastrous misplaced power” within the military-industrial complex, echoing Eisenhower’s warnings. Sanders points to rampant fraud, waste, and cost overruns within the defense industry, citing examples of major contractors’ overcharging and fines. The NDAA’s passage remains uncertain, though opposition is expected less due to the budget size and more because of controversial provisions targeting transgender healthcare for minors.
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John Q. Hosedrinker