The sun is setting on the Joe Biden administration. But the truth is being unveiled.
And now a shocking report about the Joe Biden White House’s criminal move right before the election is causing an uproar.
In September 2024, the Department of Defense (DOD) under President Joe Biden reached a new spending milestone, surpassing any previous monthly expenditure since 2008. According to a report from Open The Books, the Pentagon’s spending reached a staggering $79.1 billion for the month, with a significant portion of this spending concentrated in the final days of the fiscal year.
Of the total amount, $33.1 billion was spent within the last five working days of September, a common practice at the end of the fiscal year. This surge in expenditure is often seen as a strategic move to ensure funding levels remain high, as failing to use up the allocated budget can sometimes lead to reductions in future appropriations by Congress.
Luxury Spending Amid Military Needs
While a large portion of the spending was allocated to essential defense needs, the report highlighted some eye-catching expenditures on luxury items. Among the more unusual purchases was a $6.1 million expenditure on lobster tails, a figure that was more than $3 million higher than what the DOD spent on the same delicacy in September 2023.
The department also allocated significant sums to other high-end food items, including $16.6 million for ribeye steak and $6.4 million for salmon, maintaining similar spending levels compared to the previous year. Additionally, the DOD spent $113,230 on ice cream and $117,787 on fresh doughnuts, purchases that raised eyebrows given the size and nature of the department’s budget.
Technology purchases also formed a substantial part of the Pentagon’s expenditures. In September, the department spent $5.1 million on Apple products, which included 130 iPhone 16 Pro Max units—luxury versions of the standard iPhone 16 model.
Further splurges included $211 million on furniture, with a noteworthy $36,000 spent specifically on footrests. Another surprising purchase was $1.2 million for musical instruments, an expenditure that adds to the growing list of non-essential items funded by the DOD.
Despite the lavish purchases, a significant portion of the DOD’s spending was directed towards its core military needs. The department allocated $3 billion on ammunition and $7.9 billion on aircraft.However, critics have pointed out the contrast between these essential items and the more extravagant purchases.
Christopher Neefus, spokesperson for Open The Books, commented on this discrepancy, noting that during the Bush administration, when the U.S. was engaged in two major conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon’s spending figures did not reach the levels seen today. Neefus pointed out that while the department struggles to pass audits, the spending on luxury items like lobster tails and iPhones is difficult to justify.
“If you think back to the Bush administration, we were in two hot wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Mr. Neefus shared with reporters. “Today, under Secretary Lloyd Austin, the Pentagon has managed to exceed that monthly spending figure in real dollars. They are perennially failing audits, but some of what they did itemize is tough to swallow – unless you like lobster,” Neefus added.
Audit Failures and Future Expectations
The DOD’s inability to manage its finances effectively has been a longstanding issue. In 2024, the department failed its seventh consecutive audit, prompting concerns over its financial oversight and accountability. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025 has set a deadline for the DOD to pass an audit by 2028, adding urgency to the department’s financial reform efforts.
As the Pentagon continues to grapple with its budget and audit failures, the lavish spending on non-essential items only fuels criticism and calls for more transparent and responsible financial management. The department’s priorities will likely remain under close scrutiny as the 2025 fiscal year progresses, with both lawmakers and the public demanding more accountability from one of the largest and most expensive government agencies.
Some legislators in Congress have high expectations for Donald Trump’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was proposed as a barebones “department” that would merely identify all the waste throughout the U.S. federal government. Congress will need to vote on giving DOGE an official status.
The Federalist Wire will keep you updated on any breaking reports about the Joe Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration.
