Donald Trump wants to get rid of all the radical Leftist agendas that have infiltrated this country. No Democrat policy is safe under him.
And the Trump administration is on pace to rip this Leftist institution to pieces in a move that’s turning heads.
The Sentinel Program: A Costly Controversy in U.S. Defense
A leading U.S. defense contractor, long celebrated for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), now finds itself under scrutiny for its role in a colossal government contract. The Air Force’s Sentinel program, a critical initiative to replace the aging Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), has spiraled into a financial and logistical quagmire, drawing sharp criticism and calls for reform from lawmakers, analysts, and advocates of Elon Musk’s DOGE cost-cutting initiative.
A Ballooning Budget and Stalled Progress
The Sentinel program, designed to secure the land-based component of America’s nuclear triad, has seen its costs skyrocket. Initially pegged at $96 billion, the program’s price tag has surged to at least $141 billion, with some Pentagon estimates suggesting it could climb as high as $264 billion over the coming decades, according to Bloomberg. Northrop Grumman, a first-time ICBM developer, secured a $13 billion contract in September 2020 to spearhead the project. However, the endeavor has been plagued by delays and setbacks, prompting the Pentagon to halt development earlier this year due to “evolving launch facility requirements,” according to Defense One.
Last year, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported that the program survived a Pentagon review, which revealed a staggering cost overrun escalation from 37% to 81%. These figures have fueled accusations of mismanagement and inefficiency, with critics pointing to the Sentinel program as a prime example of poorly planned defense spending.
“The massive expansion of costs for Northrop Grumman’s Minuteman III program is the case example for why poorly-scoped, blank check programs are a bad idea,” a senior Republican Congressional official specializing in defense policy told Fox News Digital. “This is bad for national security, bad for taxpayers, and Republicans will fix this mess that Biden’s team created.”
A Controversial Contract Award
The decision to award Northrop Grumman the Sentinel contract was contentious from the start. Boeing, a major competitor, withdrew from the bidding process, alleging that the selection was unfairly tilted against the company, as reported by Responsible Statecraft. This left Northrop as the sole contender, raising questions about the transparency and competitiveness of the process.
Beyond procedural concerns, some experts and former lawmakers have questioned the necessity of the Sentinel program itself. At a Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group press conference last year, former Democratic Congressman John Tierney argued that Sentinel “does not add to our security” and could “actually make us less safe.” He criticized the program’s escalating costs, asking, “When will the blank checks to cover spiraling costs end?”
Tierney went further, asserting that the “only value” of recent ICBM development lies in “to the defense contractors who line their fat pockets with large cost overruns at the expense of our taxpayers.” He urged an end to such practices, declaring, “It has got to stop.”
The Air Force’s Defense
The Air Force, however, remains steadfast in its support for the Sentinel program. An Air Force spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the service is taking “deliberate” measures to enhance oversight and drive down costs while advancing the program’s engineering and design. “We continue to advance the engineering design and maturity of the program with Northrop Grumman, working closely with the company to drive down costs and improve schedule performance,” the spokesperson said.
The Air Force also highlighted remarks from Gen. David Allvin, Air Force chief of staff, who emphasized the program’s importance at a March symposium. “We own two-thirds of the triad and three-fourths of the nuclear command and control of communications,” Allvin stated. “We own the nuclear deterrence. So more Air Force means more nuclear deterrence…We have to have the most reliable, the most safe, the most effective nuclear deterrent. That means sentinel, yes…I believe we need more nuclear deterrence for our nation. It’s a solemn responsibility. It’s not an option.”
Northrop Grumman echoed this optimism, with a spokesperson telling Fox News Digital that the company is making “substantial progress” on the Sentinel system. A recent milestone, the completion of the missile’s stage one static fire test on March 6, was cited as evidence of the program’s advancing capabilities. “We continue to mature the design and reduce risk as we prepare for production and deployment of this essential national security capability,” the spokesperson added.
DEI in the Spotlight
Amid the Sentinel program’s challenges, Northrop Grumman’s high-profile DEI initiatives have come under fire. The company’s 2023 annual report described DEI as “vital to our culture and our company’s success,” highlighting its diverse workforce—25% female, 37% people of color, 18% veterans, and 8% people with disabilities. A promotional video from ClearanceJobs, titled “Diversity Has a Home at Northrop Grumman,” showcased employees praising the company’s inclusive environment.
However, following the Trump administration’s vow to eliminate DEI from government operations, Northrop Grumman and other defense contractors have reportedly begun removing DEI references from their websites. A source close to the Trump administration told Fox News Digital that the Sentinel program exemplifies the inefficiencies targeted by DOGE. “Northrop’s Sentinel Program is a DOGE poster child,” the source said. “Not only did they practice DEI, the program is ineffective, delayed, and wasting billions of taxpayer money. Musk would have a field day.”
In response, Northrop Grumman’s spokesperson emphasized compliance with government directives. “We have reviewed our policies and processes and continue to take the steps necessary to ensure compliance with the orders for the work entrusted to us,” the spokesperson said, reaffirming the company’s commitment to merit-based hiring and performance.
DOGE and the Push for Accountability
The Sentinel program’s troubles have drawn attention from DOGE, the Trump administration’s initiative to slash government spending. The Defense Department recently canceled over $580 million in contracts as part of these efforts, prompting criticism from Democrats who argue that such cuts jeopardize national interests. However, DOGE proponents, including Kari Lake, special advisor to the United States Agency for Global Media, defend the initiative as a necessary corrective.
“I’ve seen it with my own eyes, billions of dollars spent on pricey consulting firms, grants and NGO‘s—the self-serving bureaucrats in Washington DC have found a million different ways to rip-off the American taxpayer,” Lake told Fox News Digital. She described DOGE as a practical, non-political team focused on ensuring fiscal responsibility. “Our country won’t survive unless we cut back right now, and the hard-working men and women across this country support that,” she added.
A Program at a Crossroads
As the Sentinel program grapples with ballooning costs, delays, and questions about its strategic value, it stands as a lightning rod for debates over defense spending, contractor accountability, and the role of DEI in government contracts. While the Air Force and Northrop Grumman insist on the program’s necessity and progress, critics from across the political spectrum demand reform. With DOGE’s cost-cutting agenda gaining momentum, the Sentinel program’s future—and its implications for America’s nuclear arsenal—remains uncertain.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
