Chuck Schumer Says Pete Hegseth A 'True Grifter In Every Sense Of The World' As Pentagon Spending Hits $93 Billion In A Month

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sharply criticized Pentagon spending after new reports revealed Pete Hegseth oversaw $93 billion in a single month.

Hegseth Pentagon $93 Billion Spending Record

On Tuesday, in a post on X, Schumer shared details from Pentagon budget reports highlighting the record-high monthly spending, the largest since 2008.

"Hegseth spent $93 billion in one month – roughly the cost of extending the ACA tax credits for three years," Schumer wrote.

He added, "But instead of lowering American's healthcare costs, Hegseth used millions of taxpayer dollars on fruit baskets, Herman Miller recliners, ice cream machines, Alaskan King Crabs, and a Steinway & Sons grand piano."

Schumer said, "A true grifter in every sense of the word."

Pentagon budget reports showed that the monthly spending included at least $2 million on Alaskan King Crab."

The Department of War did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.

Hegseth $93 Billion Pentagon Spending Criticism

Governor Gavin Newsom's (D-Calif.) press office shared an image on X mocking Hegseth for being surrounded by luxury items, including a recliner, Alaskan King Crab, steak, fruit baskets, and a soft-serve machine.

He wrote, "HEGSETH BLOWING $93 BILLION OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN 1 MONTH !!"

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) also criticized Hegseth's spending, detailing that the $93 billion at the end of last year included cable TV, furniture, high-end seafood, steaks, desserts, and musical instruments, and emphasized that Congress will investigate the purchases.

Last week, Kristi Noem was removed as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary following a dispute with President Donald Trump over a $220 million border security ad campaign, with Markwayne Mullin named as her replacement.

Noem was reassigned to a newly created role as special envoy for the "Shield of the Americas."

Last year, Hegseth warned major defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT), Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA), and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC), to accelerate weapons development or risk becoming obsolete.

He created a "deal team" within the Wartime Production Unit to boost production speed and capacity.

At the same time, Hegseth signed a memo cutting over $580 million in Pentagon contracts and programs, calling the spending "not a good use of taxpayer dollars" and stressing transparency.

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This article Chuck Schumer Says Pete Hegseth A 'True Grifter In Every Sense Of The World' As Pentagon Spending Hits $93 Billion In A Month originally appeared on Benzinga.com