Pentagon's New Military Tech Startup Valued at $1.4 Billion
· news
Pentagon’s New Plaything: A Billion-Dollar Gift to Ex-DOGE Staffers
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was touted as a beacon of fiscal responsibility, but its legacy has been one of lining the pockets of its former employees rather than saving taxpayers any actual money. Those same individuals have founded a new military tech startup, Cathedral, which recently completed a funding round valuing it at $1.4 billion.
The DOGE’s ineptitude was on full display in its efforts to cut costs. Despite claiming to have saved over $55 billion through its review process, experts put the figure at a more realistic $7 billion – and that’s being generous. The agency’s failures were not surprising given its haphazard approach, which involved eliminating contracts based on vague criteria without actually reviewing them.
The cherry on top of this corrupt sundae is that Cathedral’s founders have secured funding from entities that have received favorable treatment from the Trump administration. Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, both of which have contributed to pro-Trump super PACs, invested $160 million in Cathedral. This cozy relationship between government officials and industry leaders has created a culture where doing business with the government is not just about serving the country but also about shaping policy to favor one’s own interests.
Cathedral’s AI software is designed to bolster the military’s cybersecurity capabilities – a worthwhile endeavor, perhaps, until you consider the motives behind it. The Trump administration’s scrutiny of Chinese AI companies has created an opportunity for Cathedral and its investors to cash in on the Pentagon’s budget. This is a classic case of profiteering off national security concerns.
The connections between DOGE’s failures, Cathedral’s success, and the Trump administration’s cronyism are too obvious to ignore. The Pentagon’s relationship with contractors is already fraught with issues, but when you add in influence peddling and self-enrichment, it becomes clear that this is not just about serving the country – it’s about lining pockets.
As Cathedral continues to capitalize on the military’s cybersecurity fears, one has to wonder what other opportunities will arise from the Trump administration’s policies. The Department of Government Efficiency may be gone, but its legacy lives on in the form of Cathedral and its investors, who are reaping the benefits of a system that prioritizes profits over public interest.
The real question is: how much more will this administration tolerate before taking action? Or will it continue to turn a blind eye as the revolving door between government and industry spins out of control? One thing is certain – the consequences of this culture of cronyism will be far-reaching, and it’s up to lawmakers to take a hard look at the Pentagon’s contracting process before it’s too late.
Reader Views
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
While Cathedral's AI software may be a worthwhile investment for military cybersecurity, the real issue here is the revolving door between government and industry. DOGE's former employees have a track record of lining their own pockets at taxpayers' expense, and now they're cashing in on national security concerns. What's concerning is that this trend isn't limited to Cathedral – it's a symptom of a broader culture where government officials often prioritize relationships over actual results. We need more scrutiny into these cozy connections and how they influence policy.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
The Pentagon's latest sweetheart deal reeks of crony capitalism, but there's more to Cathedral's $1.4 billion valuation than meets the eye. A closer look at the company's AI software reveals a clever manipulation of national security concerns for profit. What's missing from this narrative is the impact on cybersecurity research and development. Will Cathedral's tech stifle innovation in this field or drive it forward? The article glosses over this crucial question, leaving taxpayers to wonder if their dollars are fuelling a proprietary solution rather than an open-source revolution.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
While Cathedral's AI software may provide a temporary boost to the military's cybersecurity capabilities, we'd be wise to consider its long-term implications on civilian surveillance and data collection. Given the cozy relationship between the founders and pro-Trump investors, one can't help but wonder if this technology will eventually be repurposed for domestic spying or used as a backdoor for further government control. The blurred lines between national security and corporate interests have never been more pronounced, and taxpayers would do well to demand greater transparency in this venture.