U.S. Defense Secretary Orders Plans for 40% Budget Cut by 2030
Source: The Washington Post | February 19, 2025
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has signed a memo directing senior Pentagon officials to draft plans for a 40% reduction in the defense budget by 2030, according to a report from The Washington Post.
Key Details:
• Annual reductions of 8% over the next five years.
• 2025 defense budget stands at $850 billion, significantly increased due to threats from China and Russia.
• February 24 deadline for the Pentagon to submit detailed proposals.
What’s Off-Limits?
The Trump administration has prohibited cuts in 17 defense categories, including:
Border security operations
Nuclear weapons & missile defense modernization
Acquisition of submarines, one-way attack drones, and munitions
What’s Next?
• The Pentagon is expected to present its initial recommendations in the coming days.
• Congressional opposition is likely, as military leaders and defense contractors push back against drastic reductions.
