Waste in the Department of Defense

Happy that DOGE, Elon Musk, and Secretary Pete Hegseth plan to fire up to 8 percent of the Defense Department’s civilian employees? Worry that cuts might hurt national defense? Even the Trump administration seems unsure: the Defense Department announces budget cuts and staff reductions, then the secretary instructs employees to not answer that email from Elon Musk, and Trump supports a House budget plan that includes $100 billion more for defense. And then Hegseth fires military lawyers? Something feels off — something other than Elon Musk’s waving that chain saw.

A longtime NRO reader, I can help dispel some confusion. I was in acquisition, or government contracts, finally becoming an attorney/adviser at the DOD. I stress that I “was,” not that I “worked” as such, because really I did little else but watch the NFL Network at home. Well, I used four months to pass the bar exam. Thanks, taxpayers.

DR

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Donald Jason Raymond

Donald Jason Raymond is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and lives in Huntsville, Ala., D.C.’s newest suburb.

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Happy that DOGE, Elon Musk, and Secretary Pete Hegseth plan to fire up to 8 percent of the Defense Department’s civilian employees? Worry that cuts might hurt national defense? Even the Trump administration seems unsure: the Defense Department announces budget cuts and staff reductions, then the secretary instructs employees to not answer that email from Elon Musk, and Trump supports a House budget plan that includes $100 billion more for defense. And then Hegseth fires military lawyers? Something feels off — something other than Elon Musk’s waving that chain saw.

A longtime NRO reader, I can help dispel some confusion. I was in acquisition, or government contracts, finally becoming an attorney/adviser at the DOD. I stress that I “was,” not that I “worked” as such, because really I did little else but watch the NFL Network at home. Well, I used four months to pass the bar exam. Thanks, taxpayers.