Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(151,641 posts)
Thu May 1, 2025, 04:50 PM Yesterday

Army leaders to Musk: We will DOGE ourselves

Source: NBC News

May 1, 2025, 5:00 AM EDT / Updated May 1, 2025, 7:12 AM EDT


WASHINGTON — Under pressure to make drastic budget cuts, Army leaders have struck an unusual agreement with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency: Don’t DOGE us; we will DOGE ourselves. The process began at a March White House meeting attended by Vice President JD Vance, a Marine veteran; Army Secretary Dan Driscoll; and the Army chief of staff, Gen. Randy George, three defense officials familiar with the matter told NBC News.

Soon after the meeting began, Musk joined them. Together, the four men discussed Driscoll and George’s plans to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in what they and other Army officials agree is wasteful spending. The two men's goal is to cut jobs, consolidate commands and radically change the Army acquisition process, the three officials said.

“We have been working to get the best, most lethal, most modern tools in the hands of our soldiers,” Col. Dave Butler, an Army spokesman, said in an email. “To do this we have to leave behind the anchor of obsolescence. We have to stop spending money on yesterday’s equipment and invest in war winning technology.”

Army leaders have long complained that members of Congress force them to spend billions of dollars on weapons, vehicles and programs they don’t want. Often, the spending is driven by members of Congress focused on bringing jobs and money to their districts or attached to legacy programs the Army leaders no longer want, the officials said.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/army-leaders-musk-will-doge-rcna195286



Truism of the day (from the above excerpts) -

Army leaders have long complained that members of Congress force them to spend billions of dollars on weapons, vehicles and programs they don’t want. Often, the spending is driven by members of Congress focused on bringing jobs and money to their districts or attached to legacy programs the Army leaders no longer want, the officials said.


In other words, "EARMARKS" or more commonly known as "PORK".

Part of the engine of the U.S. GDP. Meanwhile that money could go towards school breakfast and lunch programs or to subsidize low-incoming housing/utilities, etc.

But can you guess what those red state Congress critters will do about this?

This makes me think about former Congressman and Senator Jeff Flake, who I used to watch (when he was still in the House), show up at debates over various appropriations bills, waving around a piece of paper and then reading off the list on it of "earmarks" for spending added to the bills from his colleagues.
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Army leaders to Musk: We will DOGE ourselves (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Yesterday OP
If the money isn't spent on defense it won't be spent. Klarkashton Yesterday #1
Of course not. Money is slated for their pockets & pootin. SheltieLover Yesterday #2
pooty pockets cynical_idealist Yesterday #4
Exactly. BumRushDaShow Yesterday #3
once upon a time. when commie hunter joe mccarthy tried his red hunt on the military Javaman Yesterday #5

Klarkashton

(3,299 posts)
1. If the money isn't spent on defense it won't be spent.
Thu May 1, 2025, 04:55 PM
Yesterday

They won't reallocate money for social programs.

Javaman

(63,735 posts)
5. once upon a time. when commie hunter joe mccarthy tried his red hunt on the military
Thu May 1, 2025, 05:58 PM
Yesterday

they told him then to piss up a rope. it was very soon afterwards, he saw his downfall.

history has a funny way of rhyming.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Army leaders to Musk: We ...