Pentagon plans cuts to military commands for efficiency

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon will be reviewing its budget for potential fraud, waste, and abuse. This effort, guided by tech billionaire Elon Musk, is part of a larger move by the Trump administration to reconsider the structure of the U.S. military. Senior Republican leaders, including Representative Mike Rogers and Senator Roger Wicker, have expressed concern over these changes. They worry that the Department of Defense is making significant modifications without proper coordination with Congress and the White House. Reports suggest that the U.S. may reduce its military presence overseas, particularly in Europe. There are also discussions about merging some U.S. military commands. For example, U.S. European Command might join forces with U.S. Africa Command, while Southern Command could merge with Northern Command. Such moves could impact how the U.S. conducts military operations globally. Republican lawmakers have emphasized the importance of following proper procedures before making major changes to the military's structure. They argue these decisions must involve extensive coordination to ensure American deterrence remains strong worldwide. Combatant commands are crucial for U.S. military operations as they consist of units from various branches of the armed forces. They are responsible for specific regions and play a key role in both peacetime and wartime activities. With growing geopolitical tensions, the decisions made now could significantly affect U.S. military readiness and strategy.