Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) criticized the Pentagon for wasteful "impulse purchases" totaling $93 billion in September, the highest monthly spending since 2008, as the military risks depleting munitions amid Trump's Iran war. Government watchdog Open The Books detailed extravagant expenditures including $225 million on furniture alone, with $12,000 spent on fruit basket stands and $60,000 on premium Herman Miller chairs. The Pentagon purchased $2 million in Alaskan king crab and $1.8 million in musical instruments, including a $98,329 Steinway grand piano, $26,000 violin, and $21,750 handmade Japanese flute. Foreign purchases reached $6.6 billion, over $1 billion above the previous record. Ernst accused "binge-buying bureaucrats" of burning through billions on frivolous items while taxpayers fund $1.5 trillion in defense spending. Open The Books CEO urged Secretary Hegseth to refocus on warfighting priorities.
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