The US Department of Defense has announced a $580 million (€534 million) cut in spending deemed “wasteful” and not aligned with the country’s security priorities, including programs on diversity or climate change.
According to a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Pentagon staff, the review identified more than $360 million in grants for research projects and activities not considered aligned with the new administration’s guidance, in areas such as diversity, equity and inclusion, climate change, social sciences or responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cuts also target the Defense Civilian Human Resources Management System (DCHRMS) software development program and associated active contracts at the Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA).
The program, he adds, is currently six years behind schedule and over budget by more than $280 million, requiring at least two more years of development and testing before reaching initial operational capability.
Hegseth noted that the project had an “important” mission that remains unfulfilled, but argued that further investment in it “would be a waste of taxpayer money.”
Another $30 million was cut from contracts with outside consultants on “non-essential” issues.
This first round of cancellations, Hegseth said, is part of a broader effort by the Pentagon to eliminate unnecessary spending on non-essential consulting services.
Hegseth said he will reallocate about $170 million that was cut elsewhere to what he considers a priority.
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