The vice president has advocated for significant Pentagon reform, citing substantial cost overruns and recruitment challenges.
Vice President J.D. Vance asserted that the U.S. has not secured victory in any war for several generations despite substantial military spending, prompting his call for a comprehensive military restructuring.
In a CBS News interview, Vance defended Pete Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary, a narrowly approved Senate appointment. Hegseth has faced criticism regarding past public statements on Islam, his leadership experience, and allegations of sexual assault, which he denies.
Vance characterized Hegseth as a “disruptor,” the ideal candidate to initiate necessary reforms. Vance stated, “We’ve fought numerous wars over the last 40 years, but haven’t won a war in my lifetime.”
“Our military faces a major recruitment crisis and a dysfunctional procurement system plagued by exorbitant costs and persistent delays in project delivery. We need substantial change,” he explained.
The U.S. has “engaged in excessive wars without clear victory plans,” Vance said, adding that “we must fundamentally reform our weapons procurement funding.”
He insisted Hegseth “is the right person for the job,” emphasizing that the new secretary, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, offers a perspective “not from the generals or bureaucrats, but from the men and women who fight.”
President Donald Trump has pledged to end current conflicts, citing his role in the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire and prioritizing domestic issues. Following his inauguration, he ordered additional troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to address the migration crisis.
The Pentagon failed its seventh consecutive audit in November, unable to fully account for its $824 billion budget. It hasn’t passed an audit since 2018, when it became legally mandated. However, officials claim progress, aiming for a clean audit by 2028.