Story perspectives

Pentagon's $93 Billion Spending Sparks Accountability Outcry

3/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Pentagon, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, spent over $93 billion in September 2025, including $6.9 million on lobster and $1.5 million on ribeye steaks.
Late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert criticized Hegseth's management and questioned the justification for such expenses.
The report by Open the Books raised concerns about fiscal accountability and called for reform in Pentagon budgeting practices.
This scrutiny highlights ongoing issues of financial responsibility within U.S. government institutions.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 U.S. sequester cut $85 billion from federal spending, affecting the Pentagon, which had been criticized for wasting $125 billion annually. This scrutiny echoes ongoing concerns about fiscal responsibility, highlighted by Secretary Pete Hegseth's $93 billion expenditure, including lavish food costs. These issues reflect a long-standing challenge in U.S. governance, emphasizing the need for reform in budgeting practices.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Pentagon, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, spent over $93 billion in September 2025, including $6.9 million on lobster and $1.5 million on ribeye steaks.
Late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert criticized Hegseth's management and questioned the justification for such expenses.
The report by Open the Books raised concerns about fiscal accountability and called for reform in Pentagon budgeting practices.
This scrutiny highlights ongoing issues of financial responsibility within U.S. government institutions.

1 / 2