Pentagon orders budget revamp to redirect $50 billion toward Trump’s defense priorities
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prepares to welcome Australian Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles at the Pentagon in Washington, U.S., Feb. 7, 2025.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
The Pentagon said on Wednesday it was directing the military to draw up a list of potential cuts totaling about $50 billion from the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2026 to be redirected into President Donald Trump’s priorities for national defense.
“The Department will develop a list of potential offsets that could be used to fund these priorities, as well as to refocus the Department on its core mission of deterring and winning wars,” according to a statement from Robert Salesses, who is performing the duties of the deputy defense secretary.
“The offsets are targeted at 8% of the Biden Administration’s FY26 budget, totaling around $50 billion, which will then be spent on programs aligned with President Trump’s priorities.”
