The Pentagon review targets programs related to climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion, said Robert Saleles.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses has directed military officials to identify $50 billion in potential cuts from the upcoming fiscal year 2026 budget, allowing them to redirect their savings to President Donald Trump’s defense priorities. was announced on February 19th.
Saleses said programs targeting “excessive bureaucracy” and “other awakening programs” such as climate change or diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives will be targeted.
“This offset covers 8% of the Biden administration’s FY26 budget, totaling around $50 billion, and will be spent on the program to match President Trump’s priorities,” Salesses said.
It was not immediately clear which aspect of the Pentagon’s climate change or DEI program’s spending would be the target, or would save $50 billion.
Saleses said the Pentagon is reviewing US taxpayer dollars to ensure that they are being used “in a way that efficiently and effectively delivers President Trump’s defense priorities.” He said.
Related Stories
“The accusations against President Trump’s department are clear: achieving peace through force. We do this by submitting a budget that will revive the spirit of warriors, rebuild our troops, and reestablish deterrence. I will,” he said.
“To achieve the mission from President Trump, we will be taking his priorities, including securing borders, building an American iron dome, ending radical and futile government DEI programs, and finishing preferences. I’m being guided.”
The Epoch Times contacted the Pentagon for further comment.
Hegseth praises Musk, Doge
Saleses’ comments reflect comments made by Hegses at a press conference held in Stuttgart, Germany last week.
Speaking to the reporter, Hegses praises the work Elon Musk has done as head of the Government Efficiency Bureau (DOGE) and hopes to welcome the businessman and his team to the Prime Minister soon.
“Wash, redundancy and personnel need to be addressed at HQ,” the Secretary of Defense said on Feb. 12.
He criticized the various climate programs pursued by the Department of Defense under the previous administration.
“The Department of Defense is not a business of climate change, it’s a business of solving global thermostats. We’re in the business of deterring war and winning,” Hegses told a news conference. “So, the kind of things we want to look for in order to find efficiency and many others — how we acquire weapons, sourcing systems.”
The Pentagon announcement comes as the military gathers 2026 demands. This is a parliamentary process that begins late during the transition between new presidential administrations.
The Pentagon’s annual budget is approaching $1 trillion. In December, then-President Joe Biden signed a bill that approved $89.5 billion in defense spending for the fiscal year ending September 30th.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to the report.
