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Trump, Hegseth Call For More Firings

Trump-era defense priorities under fire as swamp-favorite oversight office faces long-overdue budget axe

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is taking a buzz saw to Pentagon bureaucracy—and some on Capitol Hill aren’t happy about it.

This week, Hegseth announced a dramatic restructuring of the Defense Department’s Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)—a longtime stronghold of bloated staffing and costly oversight. The move will cut the agency’s staff by over 50% and eliminate contractor support, saving an estimated $300 million a year.

The reform is part of President Trump’s America First national defense strategy, focused on restoring fiscal sanity, streamlining operations, and putting warfighters ahead of Washington insiders.

But top Democrat Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) isn’t on board. He’s blasting the move as “reckless,” claiming it threatens oversight of military programs. Critics on the left say it’s retaliation. But supporters say it’s about time someone stood up to entrenched Pentagon waste.

“We’re not here to fund endless oversight committees—we’re here to win wars,” one senior defense official said.

A Long-Overdue Trim for a Bloated Office

The Office of Operational Test and Evaluation, tasked with reviewing weapons and military systems, has long been criticized for delays, red tape, and excessive spending. Now, the office will shrink from 94 staff to just 46—including a leaner team of 15 military personnel and 30 civilians under new acting director Carroll Quade, a Navy testing expert.

Outgoing director Raymond O’Toole, who held the role since the Biden era, will be replaced as part of the transition.

Warfighter First, Bureaucrats Last

Hegseth said a full internal review showed the office was filled with “redundant, non-essential, and non-statutory” functions that slowed down mission-critical defense programs. Cutting the fat will mean faster fielding of new systems—including high-stakes platforms like the F-35 fighter jet, hypersonic weapons, and next-gen submarines.

“This is about results, not resumes,” a Pentagon insider said.

Democrats Cry ‘Retaliation’—But Taxpayers Cheer

Sen. Reed claimed the changes are politically motivated, suggesting Hegseth is retaliating against oversight officials who blocked defense programs in the past.

But for many Americans—especially veterans, defense contractors, and patriotic taxpayers—the move is a breath of fresh air.

“Finally, someone is standing up to the defense swamp,” said a former Pentagon advisor. “This is how you put America First.”