Elon Musk's government downsizing team, DOGE, met with Pentagon officials on Friday, marking their first visit as they explore potential defense budget cuts. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed the meeting but shared no further details.
President Donald Trump has tasked Musk's DOGE with identifying waste and fraud within federal agencies, with the Pentagon as a key focus. Trump expects Musk's efforts to uncover hundreds of billions in misuse within the nearly $1 trillion annual defense budget. In December, former President Joe Biden approved $895 billion in defense spending for the current fiscal year.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, while supporting increased defense spending, assured that any budget reviews would not compromise U.S. military capabilities. He acknowledged discussions with Musk but emphasized that national security remains a priority.
Despite bipartisan concerns over Pentagon inefficiencies, critics argue that Musk and his team lack the expertise for such a complex overhaul. Additionally, Musk's ties to the Pentagon through SpaceX contracts have raised conflict of interest concerns.
As Musk's DOGE team evaluates defense spending, debates intensify over balancing fiscal responsibility with national security. The outcome could significantly impact U.S. military funding and operations.