Unaccounted Government Spending: The $21 Trillion Question

Recent investigations have uncovered approximately $21 trillion in unaccounted government transactions, primarily linked to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These transactions, referred to as "unsupported journal voucher adjustments," have raised concerns about potential mismanagement or misconduct within these agencies. The issue was initially highlighted by Catherine Austin Fitts, a former Assistant Secretary at HUD, who became alarmed by billions in unaccounted funds dating back to 2000.

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In a recent C-SPAN hearing, David Norquist, the DOD Comptroller, explained that the $6.5 trillion in unsupported adjustments for the Army in fiscal year 2015 stemmed from discrepancies in the "property book." Norquist attributed these adjustments to changes in property valuation due to factors like depreciation and equipment obsolescence. However, critics argue that his explanation does not adequately account for the staggering total of unsupported adjustments, as only $164 billion of the $6.5 trillion was linked to property-related issues.

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Analysis of the Army's financial records reveals that the $11.5 trillion in unsupported adjustments from 1998 to 2015 far exceeds the authorized spending of approximately $2 trillion during that period. Given that around 40% of the Army's budget is allocated to personnel costs, the remaining funds for property and equipment purchases would not justify such a high level of unsupported adjustments. This discrepancy raises questions about the validity of Norquist's assertions and suggests a deeper issue within the DOD's financial management.

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Despite repeated inquiries from researchers and the public, the DOD's Office of Inspector General (OIG) has failed to provide satisfactory explanations for these financial irregularities. A recent report on unsupported adjustments for fiscal year 2017 was notably redacted, obscuring critical information from public scrutiny. This lack of transparency has prompted calls for Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the matter further.

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Critics of the current situation argue that the government's inability to account for such vast sums of money constitutes a significant failure in oversight and accountability. The potential for misuse of taxpayer dollars raises alarms about the integrity of government financial practices. As noted in the Washington Post's motto, "Democracy Dies in Darkness," advocates are urging for increased transparency to shed light on these troubling financial discrepancies.

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While there may be innocent explanations for the $21 trillion in undocumented financial adjustments, the lack of clarity and accountability from government agencies raises serious concerns. The historical context of government conspiracies, such as Watergate, adds to the urgency for a thorough investigation into these financial anomalies. As the public demands answers, it remains crucial for Congress and the GAO to address these issues transparently and comprehensively.

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• “Trillions in unaccounted outlays, if that's what's involved here, is trillions of our tax dollars being spent without our knowledge.” — Mark Skidmore, Professor

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• “And why is our government now systematically hiding these adjustments from public sight?” — Catherine Austin Fitts, Former Assistant Secretary of HUD

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• “It is time for Congress and their audit arm, the General Accountability Office (GAO), to turn on the lights -- to investigate and explain to the American public these massive undocumented adjustments that may be signaling government malfeasance and legal violations on a massive scale.” — Mark Skidmore, Professor

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• “If that's the case, we're talking about the biggest government financial deception in the history of the country.” — Mark Skidmore, Professor

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