Politico | Defense
An influential GOP senator is contradicting Trump’s team — and getting away with it
17 April 2025 at 18:23

An influential GOP senator is contradicting Trump’s team — and getting away with it

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

17 April 2025 at 18:23

The Senate Armed Services Chair has found a way to appease the president and push back on the administration.

Sen. Roger Wicker presides over a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing for Lt. Gen. Dan Caine to be general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs on April 1, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Top Pentagon official at center of Jackie Robinson controversy to resign
17 April 2025 at 10:12

Top Pentagon official at center of Jackie Robinson controversy to resign

Politico | Defense

By: By Daniel Lippman and Jack Detsch

17 April 2025 at 10:12

John Ullyot’s departure comes during a week of upheaval at the Defense Department.

Former Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot listens plans to resign this week.

Politico | Defense
Third top Pentagon official suspended in leak investigation
17 April 2025 at 01:37

Third top Pentagon official suspended in leak investigation

Politico | Defense

By: By Daniel Lippman and Jack Detsch

17 April 2025 at 01:37

Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, was suspended a day after two other political appointees were placed on leave.

The Pentagon is seen in this aerial view through an airplane window in Washington, Feb. 20, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Two top Pentagon officials placed on leave in leak probe
16 April 2025 at 04:40

Two top Pentagon officials placed on leave in leak probe

Politico | Defense

By: By Daniel Lippman and Jack Detsch

16 April 2025 at 04:40

The disclosures under investigation include Elon Musk’s visit to the Pentagon.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters at the White House on Jan. 30, 2025. The Pentagon placed a two top officials under administrative leave Tuesday due to unauthorized disclosures.

Politico | Defense
‘Honey badger’ admiral emerges as top contender for Navy chief
15 April 2025 at 05:01

‘Honey badger’ admiral emerges as top contender for Navy chief

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch， Joe Gould and Daniel Lippman

15 April 2025 at 05:01

Adm. Daryl Caudle has spent the past two weeks meeting with senators.

Adm. Daryl Caudle arrives to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on May 26, 2023, in New York. He is emerging as the top contender for the Navy's chief officer post.

Politico | Defense
Musk calls Trump’s looming NASA cuts ‘troubling’
12 April 2025 at 02:22

Musk calls Trump’s looming NASA cuts ‘troubling’

Politico | Defense

By: By Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing

12 April 2025 at 02:22

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is one of the agency’s largest contractors.

Elon Musk’s latest swipe at the administration’s policies comes as reports of cuts to NASA funding surfaced Friday. Musk’s SpaceX is one of the agency’s largest contractors.

Politico | Defense
Army secretary, in rare move, also becomes ATF head
10 April 2025 at 09:59

Army secretary, in rare move, also becomes ATF head

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch and Paul McLeary

10 April 2025 at 09:59

This puts a Pentagon official in charge of a law enforcement agency for the first time.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has replaced FBI Director Kash Patel (above) as the interim head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Trump sends DOGE to review the Navy

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary

10 April 2025 at 07:23

The Navy has struggled for years to build ships on time or on budget.

Ships under construction sit docked at Fincantieri Marinette Marine on July 12, 2024, in Wisconsin.

Politico | Defense
NASA chief nominee, contradicting Musk, opts for the moon first over Mars
10 April 2025 at 00:45

NASA chief nominee, contradicting Musk, opts for the moon first over Mars

Politico | Defense

By: By Sam Skove

10 April 2025 at 00:45

Jared Isaacman promised to continue the space agency’s efforts to return to the moon over Elon Musk’s push to prioritize Mars.

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump's nominee for NASA head, testifies at his confirmation hearing on April 9. 2025.

Politico | Defense
Loomer sets her sights on Trump’s nominee to serve as Pentagon’s top lawyer
10 April 2025 at 00:28

Loomer sets her sights on Trump’s nominee to serve as Pentagon’s top lawyer

Politico | Defense

By: By Amy Mackinnon， Joe Gould and Daniel Lippman

10 April 2025 at 00:28

The far-right activist questioned the loyalty of Earl Matthews, Trump’s nominee to serve as general counsel at the Department of Defense.

Laura Loomer shows her support for President Donald Trump outside a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Oct. 5, 2023, in Tampa, Florida.

Politico | Defense
Hegseth tries carrot, not stick, on Panama
9 April 2025 at 04:29

Hegseth tries carrot, not stick, on Panama

Politico | Defense

By: By Gregory Svirnovskiy

9 April 2025 at 04:29

The Defense secretary promoted working with 'like-minded allies and partners' after Trump repeatedly threatened to take over the famous canal.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth waves on arrival at the Las Garzas presidential palace in Panama City on Tuesday.

Politico | Defense
Top commander, in potential clash with Pentagon, warns US troops should stay in Europe
8 April 2025 at 23:58

Top commander, in potential clash with Pentagon, warns US troops should stay in Europe

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

8 April 2025 at 23:58

His comments follow reports that the Defense Department is considering removing thousands of servicemembers from the continent.

General Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command, testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 3, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Trump, Hegseth promise record $1 trillion Pentagon budget
8 April 2025 at 10:37

Trump, Hegseth promise record $1 trillion Pentagon budget

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary， Joe Gould and Connor O'Brien

8 April 2025 at 10:37

The surprise announcement comes as the Defense Department prepares to lay off tens of thousands of civilians.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth departs a White House event. He and President Donald Trump on Monday pledged a first ever $1 trillion defense budget.

Politico | Defense
NASA may consolidate major facilities due to Trump cuts
8 April 2025 at 09:17

NASA may consolidate major facilities due to Trump cuts

Politico | Defense

By: By Sam Skove

8 April 2025 at 09:17

But the space agency doesn't expect mass layoffs, the acting administrator says.

This image provided by NASA shows the Artemis II Orion spacecraft lifted from the Final Assembly and Testing (FAST) Cell and placed in the west altitude chamber inside the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’S Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 28, 2024, for a series of tests simulating deep space vacuum conditions.

Politico | Defense
Trump fires a top US military official to NATO
8 April 2025 at 04:04

Trump fires a top US military official to NATO

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch

8 April 2025 at 04:04

Conservative media has targeted Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield for comments she made about diversity.

President Donald Trump fired Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, the U.S. representative to NATO’s military committee.

Politico | Defense
Democrats slam Trump for golf event amid tariff turmoil, dignified transfer of US soldiers’ remains
5 April 2025 at 04:09

Democrats slam Trump for golf event amid tariff turmoil, dignified transfer of US soldiers’ remains

Politico | Defense

By: By Ben Johansen

5 April 2025 at 04:09

The president attended a “LIV Dinner” on Thursday night.

President Donald Trump (left) and his son, Eric Trump, drive in a golf cart after arriving in Marine One on the ninth hole during previews for LIV Golf Miami at Trump National Doral Miami on Thursday in Doral, Florida.

Politico | Defense
Trump's tariffs threaten US weapons production
4 April 2025 at 05:59

Trump's tariffs threaten US weapons production

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary and Joe Gould

4 April 2025 at 05:59

The program could make it more difficult for America to produce weapons — and keep allies.

An employee handles weapons shells at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania on April 16, 2024. President Donald Trump's tariffs could affect U.S. weapons production.

Politico | Defense
DOD watchdog launches investigation into Hegseth’s Signal use
4 April 2025 at 03:15

DOD watchdog launches investigation into Hegseth’s Signal use

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch

4 April 2025 at 03:15

The inquiry will examine whether the Pentagon chief violated the agency’s standards for sharing classified information.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters in front of the White House on March 21.

Politico | Defense
New chaos in White House as top NSC officials sacked
4 April 2025 at 02:51

New chaos in White House as top NSC officials sacked

Politico | Defense

By: By Robbie Gramer and Jack Detsch

4 April 2025 at 02:51

Mike Waltz’s NSC is under fire from far-right influencers.

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz listens to a question from a reporter in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Feb. 20, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Former acting AG Whitaker confirmed as US envoy to NATO
2 April 2025 at 09:38

Former acting AG Whitaker confirmed as US envoy to NATO

Politico | Defense

By: By Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing

2 April 2025 at 09:38

His selection had surprised U.S. allies because the lawyer had no significant foreign policy experience.

Former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker attends a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on March 13.

Caine denies Trump’s MAGA hat tale

Politico | Defense

By: By Joe Gould and Connor O'Brien

1 April 2025 at 22:28

The nominee for the Joint Chiefs chair said the president "was actually talking about somebody else."

Retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, President Trump’s nominee to be Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, testifies during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on April 01, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Judge blocks Trump administration from firing CIA, ODNI staffers who worked on DEI
1 April 2025 at 08:25

Judge blocks Trump administration from firing CIA, ODNI staffers who worked on DEI

Politico | Defense

By: By Josh Gerstein

1 April 2025 at 08:25

A federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia, ordered that the employees be allowed to seek other positions at the agencies.

It was not immediately clear whether the order covered only the 19 officials who joined the suit or all CIA and ODNI workers in DEI positions who were abruptly put on administrative leave in January.

Politico | Defense
Atlantic editor: ‘Phone numbers don't just get sucked into other phones’
31 March 2025 at 00:18

Atlantic editor: ‘Phone numbers don't just get sucked into other phones’

Politico | Defense

By: By Amanda Friedman

31 March 2025 at 00:18

Jeffrey Goldberg denies he never spoke to Mike Waltz prior to Signal chat leak

Mike Waltz is pictured at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on March 28, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Hegseth calls Japan indispensable in the face of Chinese aggression
30 March 2025 at 21:27

Hegseth calls Japan indispensable in the face of Chinese aggression

Politico | Defense

By: By Associated Press

30 March 2025 at 21:27

He is on his first Asia trip.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on March 30, 2025.

Politico | Defense
US Institute of Peace lays off staff after dramatic standoff with DOGE
29 March 2025 at 22:51

US Institute of Peace lays off staff after dramatic standoff with DOGE

Politico | Defense

By: By Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing， Ben Johansen and Phelim Kine

29 March 2025 at 22:51

USIP has sought to fend off attempts by the Trump administration to take it over, arguing the institute is not legally a federal agency.

USIP is an independent nonprofit funded by Congress to promote conflict resolution mechanisms and advance peace around the world.

Politico | Defense
Vance, citing threats from Russia and China, urges Greenland to ‘cut a deal’ with the U.S.
29 March 2025 at 03:40

Vance, citing threats from Russia and China, urges Greenland to ‘cut a deal’ with the U.S.

Politico | Defense

By: By Irie Sentner

29 March 2025 at 03:40

“When the president says ‘We've got to have Greenland,’ he's saying this island is not safe,” the vice president said.

Vice President JD Vance led a U.S. delegation Friday to the U.S.’s Pituffik Space Base on Greenland’s northeastern coast.

Politico | Defense
Trump allies are starting to notice Hegseth's growing pile of mistakes
28 March 2025 at 06:59

Trump allies are starting to notice Hegseth's growing pile of mistakes

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch， Paul McLeary and Eli Stokols

28 March 2025 at 06:59

Some White House and Pentagon officials now believe Hegseth is the one who messed up in the Signal chat scandal by sending sensitive details on his phone.

Some administration insiders are starting to express doubts about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's judgment after he texted sensitive military information in a Signal chat.

Politico | Defense
Leavitt: Waltz ‘took responsibility’ for Signal scandal, praises Hegseth
27 March 2025 at 22:32

Leavitt: Waltz ‘took responsibility’ for Signal scandal, praises Hegseth

Politico | Defense

By: By Ben Johansen

27 March 2025 at 22:32

There has been intense scrutiny on both men after a journalist was inadvertently included in a sensitive private group chat.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks to reporters outside the White House on March 27, 2025, in Washington.

Politico | Defense
4 American soldiers who went missing in Lithuania have died, NATO leader says
27 March 2025 at 02:52

4 American soldiers who went missing in Lithuania have died, NATO leader says

Politico | Defense

By: By Associated Press

27 March 2025 at 02:52

A statement from U.S. Army Europe and Africa public affairs in Wiesbaden, Germany said the soldiers were conducting scheduled tactical training at the time.

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