DOD closes office of net acquisition allegedly involved in Trump-Russia probe
The Department of Defense has announced the dissolution of its Office of Net Acquisition, a think tank-like arm of the Pentagon that has been embroiled in controversy regarding its involvement in the Trump-Russia investigation. Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that civilian employees within the office would be reassigned to mission-critical roles as the DOD works on rebuilding the office in alignment with the Department’s strategic priorities.
The decision to shut down the Office of Net Acquisition comes after years of scrutiny from Republicans who have accused the office of engaging in projects unrelated to its intended mission. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa praised the move, stating that it would save American taxpayers over 20 million dollars a year. Grassley has long been critical of the office, labeling it as wasteful and ineffective.
The Office of Net Acquisition has historically focused on strategic analysis, particularly in relation to potential conflicts with China. One of its key strategies, known as “AirSea Battle,” involved a campaign against the People’s Liberation Army aimed at neutralizing China’s long-range surveillance capabilities. However, the office has faced criticism for its contracting practices, with complaints of overpriced academic-style papers lacking in classified net assessments.
Whistleblower Adam Lovinger raised concerns about the quality of work produced by the office, noting that contractor studies were often derivative and based on secondary sources. Lovinger also highlighted questionable government contracts awarded to Stefan Halper, an FBI informant who had contact with Trump campaign officials. A DOD inspector general’s report found that Halper had failed to properly document his research on several studies, raising further questions about the office’s practices.
Senator Grassley has been vocal in his inquiries about Halper’s connections to the Trump-Russia probe, accusing the Office of Net Acquisition of stonewalling on the issue. The decision to close the office has been met with criticism from Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, who believes it will undermine the country’s ability to prepare for future conflicts.
As the DOD works to rebuild the Office of Net Acquisition in line with its strategic priorities, it remains to be seen how the changes will impact the department’s long-term strategic analysis capabilities. The controversy surrounding the office’s involvement in the Trump-Russia investigation may have led to its closure, but the decision raises questions about the future direction of defense analysis within the Pentagon.
