'Total cuts, running total $800 million in wasteful spending, canceled over the first few weeks,' says Pete Hegseth
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday announced more than $580 million in cuts to contracts as part of a partnership with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
"We're back with another quick update on our efforts to cut wasteful spending and cut it quickly at the Department of Defense so we get the dollars to the things that the war fighters need.
"So today, I'm signing a memo directing the termination of over $580 million in DoD contracts, in grants that do not match the priorities of this president or this department," Hegseth said in a video posted to X.
Previously, Hegseth said he welcomed tech billionaire Elon Musk's DOGE to cut spending at the Pentagon.
He listed the cancellations as an "HR software effort" that was supposed to take a year and cost $36 million but which has now taken eight years and is currently $280 million over budget.
"Number two, another batch of DOD grants, $360 million worth this time," he said.
Thirdly, he said $30 million has also been cut from spending on external consulting services in contracts with Gartner and McKinsey.
"It's IT purchasing unused licenses," he added.
"Total cuts, running a total $800 million in wasteful spending, canceled over the first few weeks as DoD partners with DOGE here to make sure that our war fighters have what they need by cutting the waste, fraud and abuse," he said, adding that the DoD has "a lot more coming" regarding cuts to spending.
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