The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
GAO Report to Congress on the Department of Homeland Security Acquisition
English Summary
The GAO found that DHS's 27 major acquisition programs experienced significant cost growth and management challenges as of FY2025. Of 19 programs with approved baselines, 15 revised their goals, with collective baselined costs increasing $11.4 billion (26%) while most delayed full capability delivery. Critical risks include eight programs experiencing 20%+ staff reductions and dissolution of DHS's department-level acquisition oversight office in October 2025, creating uncertainty over governance structure. Despite this, 18 of 19 programs are meeting their most recent baselines, though the portfolio faces ongoing cost and schedule pressures requiring sustained monitoring.
中文摘要
美國總會計師事務所（GAO）發現，截至2025財年，國土安全部（DHS）的27個主要採購計畫面臨顯著的成本增長和管理挑戰。在19個已批准基準線的計畫中，有15個修改了其目標，導致整體基準成本增加了114億美元（26%），且大多數計畫延遲了全面能力交付。關鍵風險包括八個計畫面臨20%以上的員工削減，以及DHS於2025年10月解散了部門級採購監督辦公室，這為治理結構帶來了不確定性。儘管如此，19個計畫中有18個仍符合其最新的基準線，但該計畫組合持續面臨成本和時程壓力，需要持續監控。
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