SecDef Pete Hegseth: The Defense Department and fiscal responsibility

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Maria Bartiromo – Full segment:
“American Taxpayers Deserve to Know Exactly How and Where Their Money is Spent”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appeared on “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday to discuss the Defense Department and fiscal responsibility.
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He also spoke highly of DOGE and wants to work with them to maintain department accountability.
“Should we expect hundreds of billions of dollars in wasteful spending there?” Bartiromo asked.
“Unfortunately, I think so, and we very much, the President is right. He is setting the pace, and he is also correct that American taxpayers deserve to know exactly how and where their money is spent,” Hegseth responded.
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“Thankfully, the Marine Corp has passed a clean audit for two years in a row, and I applaud them, but that needs to go across the entire department,” Hegseth continued.
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“We welcome Elon Musk and DOGE coming into our department to help us identify additional ways in which we can streamline processes, fast-track acquisitions, cut waste,” Hegseth said.
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“The Defense Department has got a huge budget, but it’s got to be responsible,” Hegseth continued.

Bartiromo also asked Secretary Hegseth about modernizing our defense systems.

“Will this spawn a whole new effort to modernize and renew innovation into the US Military?” Bariromo asked.

“Modernization is an incredibly important part of what we are doing at DOD,” Hegseth said.

“Iron Dome or Golden Dome, whatever you want to call it. We have embraced the executive order of President Trump. We are gonna ensure it is included in the reconciliation money,” Hegseth continued.

Secretary Hegseth also emphasized that he is looking out for the troops and will be taking time to meet with them during his trip to Europe for a NATO Ministerial meeting.

“I’m also meeting with the troops, so I’m gonna see the troops for multiple days there. Might even do some PT with them on the ground. I want to make sure our troops understand how focused we are on their war-fighting capabilities,” Hegseth said.