Pete Hegseth, the newly confirmed Secretary of Defense, has instructed the Pentagon to cut 8% of its budget annually over the next five years, potentially saving tens of billions each year. The reductions target areas such as border operations, nuclear modernization, missile defense, submarine acquisition, and attack drones. Personnel must submit cost-cutting proposals by February 24. The Pentagon's current $850 billion budget, approved under Joe Biden, would reach its lowest level since 2013. Hegseth previously criticized defense spending as "crazy" before advocating for a significant increase.