longer.blue

“ Trump’s $1.5 Trillion Pentagon Wish List Pete Hegseth may be the most volatile member of Trump’s Cabinet. Good grief, that’s one hell of a competition. Now he wants Congress to approve $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon. One small problem: He’s been busy alienating the very lawmakers who control the money. Members of BOTH parties are fed up with his combative leadership, lack of transparency, and how he treats Congress. One Republican reportedly told Hegseth his chances of getting the budget passed were about as good as his chances of getting confirmed by the Senate again. Ouch. From his own party. The Pentagon is trying to replenish weapons and ammunition depleted during eight months of war with Iran. The conflict has already cost more than $47 billion, with military training and maintenance reportedly delayed to cover expenses. What’s in Trump’s proposed 40% defense spending increase? Billions for his Golden Dome missile defense system and initial funding for a new fleet of Trump-class battleships. Oh, and the Pentagon estimates that rebranding itself as the “Department of War” will cost $52 million. Because nothing says military readiness quite like naming a battleship after yourself when you’ve never served a day in uniform. Congress is now deadlocked. Democrats are demanding accountability for a war launched without congressional approval, while Republicans are increasingly criticizing Hegseth’s conduct. I’ve worked in national security long enough to know that congressional oversight isn’t optional. The defense secretary doesn’t get to treat Congress like an enemy combatant because he doesn’t like being questioned. Our troops could end up paying for his ego. 🪖 Inside Trump’s Pentagon Budget Meltdown (WaPo) From Olivia of Troye newsletter