A government watchdog report reveals the Department of Defense spent $93.4 billion in September 2025, sparking criticism over 'wasteful' spending just before the U.S. entered a costly conflict with Iran. The report details lavish purchases, including millions spent on lobster, and has led to calls for greater oversight of defense spending practices.
A newly released analysis of Department of Defense spending reveals an astonishing $93.4 billion expenditure in September 2025, as officials raced to utilize their budget before the fiscal year's conclusion. This revelation has triggered widespread criticism regarding 'wasteful' luxury purchases, particularly given the backdrop of the costly conflict the United States is currently engaged in with Iran.
The report, compiled by the government watchdog organization Open The Books, indicates that in the final month of the 2025 fiscal year, the Department of Defense (DOD) took steps to fully expend its remaining budget, a practice often referred to as 'use-it-or-lose-it,' aiming to prevent potential funding cuts in the future. The details of this spending spree are now under intense scrutiny, with specific examples of the lavish expenditures coming to light. For instance, the Pentagon allocated $6.9 million for lobster. The report details a range of other high-end, non-food items included in the spending, highlighting the perception of extravagance. Open The Books has condemned the spending as 'completely unacceptable,' emphasizing that the $93 billion total represents the highest month-of-September spending since at least 2008. The magnitude of this expenditure is drawing sharp condemnation across the political spectrum, particularly in light of the ongoing financial strain imposed by the conflict in the Middle East. \In his defense, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, previously advocated for enhanced financial scrutiny. He mentioned in February 2025 that he welcomed an in-depth review of DOD spending, asserting, 'We need to know when we spend dollars, we need to know where they’re going.' The report's findings have ignited a firestorm of criticism from both Republican and Democratic figures. California Governor Gavin Newsom, for example, satirized the situation with an AI-generated image of Secretary Hegseth amidst steaks and lobster, accompanied by the caption: 'HEGSETH BLOWING $93 BILLION OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN 1 MONTH !!' Adding to the chorus of disapproval, Representative Melanie Stansbury stated on social media, 'Reports are showing that Sec. Pete Hegseth blew $93 billion in federal DOD funding at the end of last year,' further adding, 'You better believe we'll be investigating.' Conversely, Secretary Hegseth has in the past championed the 'Department of Government Efficiency,' telling Fox News in February 2025, 'We need to know when we spend dollars, we need to know where they're going.' Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer branded Hegseth a 'grifter,' pointing out that the $93 billion could have financed ACA tax credits for a period of three years. This diverse range of criticism underscores the gravity of the situation and the depth of the concerns surrounding the DOD’s spending habits.\The timeline of these events is crucial in understanding the context. From March to June 2025, the Pentagon was already spending over $7.4 million monthly on lobster tails. The 'spending spree' reached its peak in September 2025 with $93.4 billion allocated in contracts and grants. The fiscal year concluded on September 30, 2025, prompting the Pentagon to expend remaining funds to avoid any forfeiture of its budget. In October 2025, the U.S.-Iran conflict initiated, adding further complexity to the situation. The detailed disclosures regarding the luxury spending were made public by watchdogs in March 2026. Looking ahead, Congress is expected to convene hearings concerning the Pentagon's end-of-year spending practices. Amidst the ongoing war in Iran, which has already incurred an estimated $5.6 billion in munitions expenditures within its first two days, lawmakers are poised to leverage these spending reports to advocate for stricter oversight measures and potential reforms to the federal 'use-it-or-lose-it' funding regulations. The focus is to ensure responsible allocation of defense funds, particularly in the face of ongoing conflicts and substantial budgetary demands
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