Here’s a bombshell that’s rocking Capitol Hill: Republicans are openly slamming Pentagon officials over what they see as a betrayal of Australia, one of America’s most loyal allies. But here’s where it gets controversial—while President Trump has thrown his full weight behind the AUKUS defense pact, key Pentagon figures seem to be dragging their feet, raising doubts about the deal’s feasibility and alignment with ‘America First’ priorities. And this is the part most people miss: the fallout isn’t just about submarines or military strategy—it’s about trust, alliances, and the future of U.S. global leadership.
During a heated Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, three Republican senators didn’t hold back. They accused the Pentagon’s policy team, led by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, of straying from Trump’s vision on critical issues involving allies. This includes not just AUKUS—the landmark defense agreement between Australia, the U.S., and the U.K.—but also the brief pause in weapons aid to Ukraine and the recent troop reductions in Romania, a NATO ally. Is this a case of bureaucratic resistance or a legitimate policy debate?
The Pentagon’s June review of AUKUS has only poured fuel on the fire. In briefings, officials questioned whether the U.S. could even produce enough nuclear-powered submarines to sell to Australia, and how Australia might use them in a potential conflict with China. These concerns, however, were brushed aside by Trump during his White House meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month. ‘Full steam ahead,’ Trump declared, dismissing feasibility concerns outright.
Senator Roger Wicker, the committee chair, didn’t mince words. He expressed deep disappointment that Trump’s decisions had been ‘slow-walked or reversed’ by the Pentagon over the past year. ‘The AUKUS deal was cast into doubt despite the president’s strong support, leaving Australia surprised and dismayed,’ Wicker said. He also criticized Colby’s team for being uncooperative, particularly regarding the upcoming National Defense Strategy review. ‘The situation needs to improve,’ he added firmly.
Here’s the kicker: Austin Dahmer, Colby’s acting deputy and Trump’s nominee for assistant secretary, found himself in the hot seat. Senator Tom Cotton grilled him over the AUKUS review, which caught Australia, the U.K., and even Trump administration officials off guard. ‘It’s like a pig pen-like mess coming out of the policy shop,’ Cotton remarked, contrasting it with the efficiency of other Pentagon divisions.
Dahmer defended the review as a natural examination of a Biden-era initiative but hinted that concerns remain. When pressed on whether AUKUS was indeed ‘full steam ahead,’ as Trump insisted, Dahmer offered a classified briefing—a move that raised eyebrows. ‘There’s nothing classified about the fact that we’re full steam ahead with AUKUS,’ Wicker later retorted.
Senator Dan Sullivan piled on, accusing the Pentagon’s policy unit of undermining Trump’s agenda. He singled out Colby for being secretive and inaccessible. ‘The hardest guy to get a hold of in the Trump administration? The undersecretary of defense for policy,’ Sullivan said. ‘You’re not helping yourselves.’
Despite the drama, AUKUS enjoys strong bipartisan support in Congress, even if parts of the administration seem hesitant. Lisa Curtis, an Indo-Pacific security expert, noted that Republicans are likely to double down on their support now that Trump has endorsed the deal. ‘The Pentagon’s review led officials to hedge their comments, but that’s changing,’ she said.
So, here’s the big question: Is the Pentagon’s skepticism about AUKUS a necessary check on presidential power, or is it a bureaucratic obstacle to a critical alliance? Let us know what you think in the comments—this debate is far from over.
