<span>President Thomas Jefferson's frugal economic policies had been good for the national economy but were harmful for national defense. During his administration, Jefferson had drastically reduced the size of the army and had sold most of the navy's vessels.</span>
The answer is a, During his term, he made defense cuts that left the Americans at a military disadvantage.
because the passage states "President Thomas Jefferson's frugal economic policies had been good for the national economy but were <em>harmful for national defense.</em> During his administration, Jefferson had <em>drastically reduced the size of the army and had sold most of the navy's vessels</em>."
