Story perspectives

Pentagon's $93.4 Billion Spending Spree Sparks Investigations

3/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

In September 2025, the Pentagon, led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, spent a record $93.4 billion.
The outlays included $6.9 million on lobster tails and $15.1 million on ribeye steaks.
The spending followed a 'use-it-or-lose-it' strategy to exhaust the budget before the fiscal year end.
Open The Books reported no federal agency had spent so much in a single month, sparking investigations into Pentagon spending amid the Iran conflict.

History

Historical Context

The Pentagon's military budget has faced scrutiny since the post-World War II era, particularly after President Eisenhower warned of a "military-industrial complex" in 1961. In 2013, a $1 trillion budget raised concerns about waste, with 30% of defense contracts deemed inefficient. This issue persists, as evidenced by the record $93.4 billion expenditure in September 2025, fueling ongoing debates about military spending and fiscal responsibility.

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Story summary

In September 2025, the Pentagon, led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, spent a record $93.4 billion.
The outlays included $6.9 million on lobster tails and $15.1 million on ribeye steaks.
The spending followed a 'use-it-or-lose-it' strategy to exhaust the budget before the fiscal year end.
Open The Books reported no federal agency had spent so much in a single month, sparking investigations into Pentagon spending amid the Iran conflict.

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