Pentagon to Refocus Spending on Warfighter Support Under New Directive
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Hegseth has committed to redirecting Pentagon spending to more directly support warfighters. In a statement late Wednesday, Robert Salesses, who is performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, stated, "the time for preparation is over" and noted that "excessive bureaucracy" and programs focusing on climate change or "other woke programs" such as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives would be targeted.
"To achieve our mandate from President Trump, we are guided by his priorities including securing our borders, building the Iron Dome for America, and ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing," Salesses added.
The Iron Dome is envisioned as an extensive, multilayered air defence system for the U.S. that Trump has said should include the ability to shoot down incoming missiles from space.