President Donald Trump has announced that he expects Elon Musk, in his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to uncover "hundreds of billions of dollars" in fraud and abuse within federal agencies, particularly the Pentagon. In a recent interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, Trump stated his intention to direct Musk to audit the Department of Education, followed by the military, emphasizing the need to identify and eliminate wasteful spending. 

The Pentagon's annual budget is approximately $1 trillion, making it a significant target for potential cost reductions. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz highlighted the Pentagon's shipbuilding processes as an area of interest, citing inefficiencies and the need for reform. 

Critics have raised concerns about Musk's involvement due to potential conflicts of interest, given that his companies, such as SpaceX and Starlink, hold substantial government contracts. Additionally, there are apprehensions regarding the legality of DOGE's actions, including access to confidential data within government agencies and the potential exposure of classified information. 

Despite these challenges, the Trump administration remains committed to its initiative to reduce federal spending and increase government efficiency through DOGE's efforts