Sen. Joni Ernst Criticizes Pentagon Over Faulty Equipment Sent to Taiwan

Ernst demands answers from the Biden administration after a report reveals moldy gear and expired ammunition were shipped to Taiwan, affecting U.S. credibility.

The Department of Defense Inspector General's report found that between November 2023 and March 2024, over 67% of military equipment sent to Taiwan was damaged due to improper storage.
Equipment included more than 3,000 moldy body armor plates and 500 wet tactical vests, costing taxpayers $730,000 to attempt to clean and salvage.
The shipments also contained 2.7 million rounds of expired ammunition and packaging errors, raising concerns about quality control.
Sen. Joni Ernst argues that these failures undermine U.S. credibility with allies, particularly as tensions with China increase.
The Pentagon has been urged to improve oversight and establish clearer guidelines to prevent similar issues in future shipments.