Pentagon Cuts Halt Weapons Testing, Spark Layoff Fears | JQJO

Pentagon cuts to the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have halted all work at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), a supporting think tank. Hegseth deemed much of DOT&E's work redundant, slashing the civilian workforce from 118 to 30 and eliminating contractor support, saving an estimated $300 million annually. This action impacts IDA's staffing levels and ability to fulfill its congressional mandate of weapons system testing. Concerns are rising amongst lawmakers and experts about the potential negative impact on national security.