Musk to Audit US Defense Department's $800 Billion Budget Amid Controversy

The Defense Department, with an annual budget of over $800 billion, has been criticized for its lack of financial transparency and accountability. The department has failed to pass a clean audit for seven consecutive years, with auditors citing inadequate financial systems and a lack of proper guidance as major obstacles. The review by Musk's team is expected to shed light on the department's financial dealings and identify areas for improvement. Musk stated that he wants to maximize his personal security, implying that he will conduct a thorough audit of the Department of Defense's spending.

The move has sparked intense debate and opposition from Democratic lawmakers, who have raised concerns about the potential risks and consequences of such a review. Some have accused Trump and Musk of politicizing the review process and using it as a means to justify cuts to social programs and services. Others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on national security and the role of the Defense Department in protecting American interests. The Department of Defense, one of the largest federal government departments, has a budget of nearly $1 trillion annually, with over half of it going to military contractors, who have been notorious for overcharging the government.

环球网

Mon Feb 10 10:47:27 +0800 2025

【美媒：特朗普称，马斯克或在“24小时内”审查美国防部和教育部支出】据美国福克斯新闻网报道，美国总统特朗普在该媒体当地时间9日播出的独家采访视频中，详述了他指派美国“政府效率部”负责人埃隆·马斯克调查教育部和国防部浪费性开支情况的计划，并透露“政府效率部”可能在“24小时内”审查军队和教育部支出。#马斯克或24小时内审查国防部教育部支出#报道称，特朗普在采访中表示，马斯克在履行他削减繁文缛节的承诺方面一直是值得信赖的盟友。特朗普说，“人们希望我发现它（浪费性开支）”，“埃隆·马斯克给了我很大帮助，他非常出色”。“他（马斯克）没有得到任何好处。事实上，我想知道他怎么能腾出时间致力于做这件事”，特朗普补充说。此外，特朗普还表示，马斯克领导的“政府效率部”很快将审查军队和教育部支出，可能就在接下来“24小时内”。“我很快就会告诉他（马斯克）......去检查教育部。他会发现同样的情况”，特朗普说，“然后我们再去看看军队。让我们去检查一下军队。我们会发现数十亿、数千亿美元的欺诈和滥用（现象），而人们正是因为这一点才选举我”。近来，特朗普指派马斯克领导的“政府效率部”，对十多个联邦政府部门的欺诈和浪费行为掀起了一场查账风暴，其中包括财政部、国防部等敏感部门，引发两党激烈争斗和诉讼浪潮。当地时间2月7日，19个州的民主党籍总检察长提起联合诉讼企图阻止马斯克及其团队的查账行动。当地时间8日，美国纽约一名联邦法官以机密信息可能外泄造成风险为由紧急发布临时禁令，禁止马斯克主导的“政府效率部”对财政部的查账行动。特朗普、马斯克则利用曝光政府部门和机构的“腐败开支”来取得民众的支持。共和党方面披露称，许多政府开支是为了支持国外的煽动性非营利组织和媒体、变性和跨性别活动，甚至支持恐怖主义组织。美媒担忧，在马斯克及政府效率部开始行动后，美国政坛已陷入混乱中，甚至可能引发一场“宪法危机”。一些民主党议员日前发表公开信，呼吁对马斯克和“政府效率部”进行调查，称其“可能威胁国家安全”。

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The fact that Musk's companies also have significant contracts with the Department of Defense has raised concerns about conflicts of interest. When asked if he believed Musk could fairly eliminate wasteful spending, Trump expressed confidence that Musk and his companies would not benefit financially from the audit, stating that Musk "got nothing" from it. The announcement has sparked controversy, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about the potential for a constitutional crisis and calling for investigations into Musk and the Office of Government Efficiency.

Musk's audit will delve into the financial expenditures of the US Department of Defense, including tens of billions of dollars in hidden funds within the Pentagon. Additionally, Musk has stated that he will review the spending of the Department of Education, potentially as soon as "within the next 24 hours". This audit blitz is expected to spark intense bipartisan battles and a wave of lawsuits, as lawmakers and government agencies scramble to respond to the sudden scrutiny of their financial dealings.

The impending investigation and potential backlash from lawmakers may ultimately test the limits of Musk's authority and the role of the executive branch in overseeing government agencies. The audit's findings could have far-reaching implications for the US defense budget, potentially leading to a reevaluation of priorities and resource allocation. With the nation's security interests at stake, the scrutiny of the Department of Defense's expenditures will undoubtedly be a contentious and closely watched issue, sparking debates about the appropriate balance between national security and fiscal prudence.

环球时报

Mon Feb 10 17:51:06 +0800 2025

#五角大楼被爆从未通过任何一次审计#【美议员直言“五角大楼从未通过任何一次审计”，马斯克发帖回应】美国总统特朗普授权马斯克领导的“政府效率部”团队审查美国国防部的支出，引起美国舆论高度震动。当地时间2月9日，马斯克在社交平台X上发布一段采访视频，视频中美国田纳西州联邦众议员蒂姆·伯切特发表“五角大楼从未通过任何一次审计”言论。马斯克同时配文称，“我想我要最大程度提高自身安全。”伯切特在采访中称，五角大楼隐藏了数十亿美元资金。“在审计历史中，他们（五角大楼）从未通过任何一次审计，”伯切特说，“我们要真正弄清真相的唯一方法就是，有人带着这个信息走出这些实验室，并将其放在互联网上。”近来，特朗普指派马斯克领导的“政府效率部”，对十多个联邦政府部门的欺诈和浪费行为掀起了一场查账风暴，其中包括财政部、国防部等敏感部门，引发两党激烈争斗和诉讼浪潮。当地时间2月7日，19个州的民主党籍总检察长提起联合诉讼企图阻止马斯克及其团队的查账行动。美媒担忧，在马斯克及政府效率部开始行动后，美国政坛已陷入混乱中，甚至可能引发一场“宪法危机”。一些民主党议员日前发表公开信，呼吁对马斯克和“政府效率部”进行调查，称其“可能威胁国家安全”。据美媒此前介绍，2024年11月，五角大楼公布了2024财年年度审计结果——连续第七年未能通过审查。伯切特在社交媒体上写道，“我们的五角大楼连续第七次没能通过审计，无法‘完全解释’8240多亿美元预算的支出状况。他们应该感到汗颜”。美国《星条旗报》也批评称，五角大楼是唯一一个从未获得过清白财务审计的美国重量级政府部门。（环球网）

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Several Democratic lawmakers have already penned an open letter, calling for an investigation into Musk and the "Department of Government Efficiency," citing concerns that his actions may "compromise national security." On the other hand, Musk's audit could also yield positive outcomes, such as curbing wasteful government spending and enhancing financial transparency. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Musk's intentions will be received by the defense establishment and the broader public, and what consequences will arise from the findings of the audit.