Politico | Defense
How Congress could crush Trump's Qatari plane gift
20 May 2025 at 16:45

How Congress could crush Trump's Qatari plane gift

20 May 2025 at 16:45

Lawmakers are weighing everything from sticking amendments in defense legislation to holding up nominees as they try to stop the president from accepting the foreign-owned aircraft.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to begin his Middle East visit. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Politico | Defense
Trump touts Russia-Ukraine talks, even as he steps back
19 May 2025 at 22:57

Trump touts Russia-Ukraine talks, even as he steps back

Politico | Defense

By: By Eli Stokols and Veronika Melkozerova

19 May 2025 at 22:57

The president signaled that the U.S. would not play a mediating role in the discussions.

President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn upon arrival at the White House on Marine One in Washington on May 16, 2025.

Politico | Defense
‘So what?’: Gorka dismisses judge rulings on deportations
16 May 2025 at 03:24

‘So what?’: Gorka dismisses judge rulings on deportations

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch

16 May 2025 at 03:24

The president’s top counterterrorism official said federal judges who have disputed the administration’s actions could be “wrong.”

White House bureau chief Dasha Burns speaks with Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president, at the POLITICO Security Summit on May 15.

Politico | Defense
Former NASA chief: Trump's budget takes ‘a chainsaw and a meat-ax’ to space agency
15 May 2025 at 23:51

Former NASA chief: Trump's budget takes ‘a chainsaw and a meat-ax’ to space agency

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

15 May 2025 at 23:51

The administration is proposing a $6 billion budget cut to NASA.

POLITICO reporter Sam Skove and former NASA administrator Bill Nelson speak May 15, 2025, at POLITICO's Security Summit.

Politico | Defense
US space chief warns of emerging threats from China and Russia
15 May 2025 at 23:32

US space chief warns of emerging threats from China and Russia

Politico | Defense

By: By Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing

15 May 2025 at 23:32

Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, speaking at the POLITICO Security Summit, said China's "kill web" is the biggest threat in U.S. adversaries’ growing space capabilities.

Gen. B. Chance Saltzman speaks at the POLITICO Security Summit on May 15, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Republicans want Congress involved in Trump's Qatar jet push
15 May 2025 at 21:55

Republicans want Congress involved in Trump's Qatar jet push

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

15 May 2025 at 21:55

GOP leaders, speaking at POLITICO's Security Summit, highlighted ethical and financial concerns around the potential gift.

POLITICO reporter Joe Gould and Sen. Deb Fischer speak at the POLITICO Security Summit on May 15, 2025.

Politico | Defense
No one knows who’s in charge of Trump’s dramatic space policy
15 May 2025 at 03:59

No one knows who’s in charge of Trump’s dramatic space policy

Politico | Defense

By: By Sam Skove

15 May 2025 at 03:59

Space industry officials and Hill staff say there’s no one driving the massive policy shifts.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a commercial crew of four lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on March 31, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Senate Armed Services leader pans Trump’s Qatar jet plan
15 May 2025 at 02:20

Senate Armed Services leader pans Trump’s Qatar jet plan

Politico | Defense

By: By Joe Gould and Paul McLeary

15 May 2025 at 02:20

“It would be like the United States moving into the Qatari embassy,” Sen. Roger Wicker said.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker's comments underscore the rising Republican unease surrounding the Qatar jet.

Politico | Defense
GOP heavyweights join bipartisan bashing of Trump Qatar jet deal
14 May 2025 at 02:44

GOP heavyweights join bipartisan bashing of Trump Qatar jet deal

Politico | Defense

By: By Eric Bazail-Eimil and Robbie Gramer

14 May 2025 at 02:44

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and GOP firebrand senators are among those voicing discomfort with the deal.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said there are “lots of issues associated with that offer which I think need to be further talked about" when asked about the offer of the Qatari plane.

Politico | Defense
In Saudi Arabia speech, Trump says he’ll lift Syria sanctions and urges Iran to negotiate
14 May 2025 at 00:52

In Saudi Arabia speech, Trump says he’ll lift Syria sanctions and urges Iran to negotiate

Politico | Defense

By: By Eli Stokols

14 May 2025 at 00:52

Prioritizing peace and lucrative deals, the president laid out a new U.S. approach to the Middle East.

President Donald Trump speaks at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Trump’s free plane is not so free

Politico | Defense

By: By Joe Gould and Connor O'Brien

13 May 2025 at 04:30

The Boeing aircraft that Qatar may give the president would require a pricy and complicated overhaul to serve as Air Force One.

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Tuscaloosa National Airport on May 1, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Rahm Emanuel teams up with fired Navy admiral
12 May 2025 at 16:45

Rahm Emanuel teams up with fired Navy admiral

Politico | Defense

By: By Shia Kapos

12 May 2025 at 16:45

A scholarship for ROTC students will be named after Adm. Lisa Franchetti.

Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Sept. 14, 2023, on Capitol Hill.

Politico | Defense
Judge lets CIA fire doctor who pushed mandatory Covid vaccines for military
10 May 2025 at 02:37

Judge lets CIA fire doctor who pushed mandatory Covid vaccines for military

Politico | Defense

By: By Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney

10 May 2025 at 02:37

The doctor had argued her looming termination was the result of public attacks by some of Trump’s most vocal social media defenders.

The doctor's lawyer argued that a post on X from Donald Trump Jr. welcoming her firing amounted to the CIA publicly endorsing claims that she acted illegally or unethically.

Politico | Defense
Trump administration to revive National Space Council
9 May 2025 at 22:23

Trump administration to revive National Space Council

Politico | Defense

By: By Sam Skove

9 May 2025 at 22:23

Elon Musk reportedly had been opposed to bringing the group back.

The council serves as an executive branch body for developing space policy and keeping agencies with space portfolios on task, from the Space Force to the Department of Commerce’s space offices.

Pelosi warns the US needs NATO too

Politico | Defense

By: By Eric Bazail-Eimil

8 May 2025 at 05:48

The former House speaker also said that the relationship between the U.S. and NATO can still be repaired.

“If we as the United States of America do not honor our commitments. I don't know how we expect people to honor their commitments to us,” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said.

Politico | Defense
NASA, in surprise shift, may launch rockets to Mars next year
7 May 2025 at 22:50

NASA, in surprise shift, may launch rockets to Mars next year

Politico | Defense

By: By Sam Skove

7 May 2025 at 22:50

The move could benefit Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, which has announced plans to land a rocket on the planet.

SpaceX's Starship rocket lifts off for a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on March 6, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Vance says Russia ‘asking for too much’ to end war with Ukraine
7 May 2025 at 21:58

Vance says Russia ‘asking for too much’ to end war with Ukraine

Politico | Defense

By: By Felicia Schwartz and Robbie Gramer

7 May 2025 at 21:58

The vice president told the Munich Leaders Meeting that the U.S. wants to see Ukraine and Russia speak directly.

Vice President JD Vance looks on during an event in the Oval Office at the White House on May 6, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Trump announces US will stop bombing Houthis
7 May 2025 at 00:32

Trump announces US will stop bombing Houthis

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch and Felicia Schwartz

7 May 2025 at 00:32

The military has struck at least 800 targets in Yemen and killed hundreds of Houthis since March, according to U.S. Central Command.

President Donald Trump greets Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney outside the White House in Washington, on May 6, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Hegseth orders Pentagon to slash top ranks of military
6 May 2025 at 06:32

Hegseth orders Pentagon to slash top ranks of military

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary

6 May 2025 at 06:32

The plan calls for a 20 percent cut of four-star generals and admirals.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awaits the arrival of Peru Foreign Affairs Minister Elmer Schialer and Peru Minister of Defense Walter Astudillo at the Pentagon on May 5.

Politico | Defense
Ischinger: Europe going it alone in Ukraine could be ‘the end of NATO as we know it’
6 May 2025 at 00:26

Ischinger: Europe going it alone in Ukraine could be ‘the end of NATO as we know it’

Politico | Defense

By: By Robbie Gramer

6 May 2025 at 00:26

A former top diplomat warned that only the U.S. military, not Europe’s, can deter Putin.

A recent minerals deal with Ukraine has been seen as positive sign of Washington and Kyiv repairing their ties following tense meetings between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Politico | Defense
Hegseth attorney’s dual roles trip conflict-of-interest alarms
3 May 2025 at 19:00

Hegseth attorney’s dual roles trip conflict-of-interest alarms

Politico | Defense

By: By Daniel Lippman and Josh Gerstein

3 May 2025 at 19:00

Tim Parlatore’s close relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — while representing legal clients facing off against the department — is drawing scrutiny.