The Department of Government Efficiency revealed that the Department of Defense spent over $80 million on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell highlighted several questionable expenditures and expressed concerns about their impact on core military functions. Further investigations showed an additional $5 million spent on related initiatives, raising significant scrutiny regarding military funding priorities.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has disclosed that the Department of Defense (DoD) allocated over $80 million towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell showcased this expenditure as part of a larger critique of perceived wasteful spending within the Pentagon, detailing specific instances of funding allocation that he considers misaligned with military priorities.
Specifically, Parnell highlighted the following expenditures:
– $1.6 million to the University of Florida for studying climate change impacts in West Africa,
– $1.9 million for DEI transformation training within the Air Force,
– $6 million to the University of Montana aimed at strengthening democracy through bridging divides,
– $3.5 million allocated by the Defense Human Resources Activity to support various DEI groups.
Further investigations by Campus Reform revealed an additional $5 million in spending on similar initiatives and climate change studies. This included:
1. $1.6 million to Boise State University for research on climate change’s effects on bird egg-laying and migration,
2. $967,357 awarded to Columbia University to investigate climate-induced migration.
3. $1.6 million to the University of Maryland focused on how climate change in Mozambique affects national security.
4. $1 million to study American perceptions of refugees from climate-impacted regions.
5. $44,380 designated to host the 2023 Air Force Office of Diversity and Inclusion conference at George Washington University.
Parnell asserted, “This stuff is not a core function of our military. This is not what we do. This is a distraction from our core mission.” He emphasized that these findings mark the initial stage of a thorough review, pledging continuous updates and disclosures in the following weeks to enhance the DoD’s operational efficiency.
In summary, the DOGE’s unveiling of over $80 million in DoD spending on DEI and climate initiatives has drawn significant attention to perceived wastefulness within military funding. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell has articulated concerns regarding the appropriateness of such expenditures, asserting that they detract from the primary objectives of the military. With promises for further revelations, it remains to be seen how the DoD will adapt its funding strategies moving forward.
Original Source: www.campusreform.org
