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

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.

Trump administration to revive National Space Council

Politico | Defense

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 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.

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

Politico | Defense

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.

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

Politico | Defense

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.

Trump announces US will stop bombing Houthis

Politico | Defense

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.

Hegseth orders Pentagon to slash top ranks of military

Politico | Defense

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.

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

Politico | Defense

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.

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

Politico | Defense

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.

Attorney Tim Parlatore’s dual role could allow him to capitalize on his ties to DOD chief Pete Hegseth (above) and his role in the secretary’s office, legal experts say.

Trump’s minerals deal with Ukraine leaves scramble for how to handle Russia

Politico | Defense

By Eli Stokols

2 May 2025 at 17:55

White House officials are weighing next moves.

President Donald Trump listens during a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden of the White House on Thursday.

Waltz was in danger before Signalgate

Politico | Defense

By Dasha Burns， Sophia Cai and Robbie Gramer

2 May 2025 at 05:28

Beyond Waltz, there may be ‘a purge’ of lower level White House staffers

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz speaks during a television interview at the White House on Thursday.

Hegseth cancels Pentagon program. It was signed into law by Trump.

Politico | Defense

By Eric Bazail-Eimil and Joe Gould

29 April 2025 at 23:07

The 2017 bill Trump signed into law was backed by two current Cabinet members when they were members of Congress.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the Women Peace and Security program at the Pentagon “yet another woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative that overburdens our commanders and troops."

US fighter jet falls overboard while avoiding Houthi attack

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

29 April 2025 at 06:38

The $60M mishap adds to an increasingly expensive price tag in the administration’s effort against the Iran-backed group.

An F18 Hornet fighter jet lands on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea on May 8, 2018.

‘Tale of 2 Petes’: Fired adviser describes Pentagon chief consumed by image

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch

29 April 2025 at 00:43

Colin Carroll said the Defense secretary was focused on identifying leakers and proving his competence.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prepares to give a television interview at the White House on March 21.

'Highly inappropriate': Musk, a defense contractor, sat in on Air Force nominee's interview

Politico | Defense

By Joe Gould and Sam Skove

25 April 2025 at 23:34

His inclusion is significant because the SpaceX founder has billions of dollars in national security and defense contracts at stake.

Elon Musk speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

Pentagon leadership vacuum overwhelms Hegseth's office: 'It's a free-for-all'

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch

25 April 2025 at 05:59

The departure of the Defense secretary’s top advisers has left the first-time government official without senior staff who understand Washington.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the White House on April 24, 2025.

Controversial Hegseth chief of staff to leave Pentagon

Politico | Defense

By Daniel Lippman and Jack Detsch

25 April 2025 at 04:30

Joe Kasper will continue to support and advise the Pentagon, he said, but as a special government employee.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, April 24, 2025.

Pentagon to resume medical care for transgender troops

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch， Paul McLeary and Kyle Cheney

24 April 2025 at 23:42

The move is another setback for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has made culture war issues a major part of his role.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced pressure from Democrats to follow the court order, suggesting he was undermining military recruitment needs.

House GOP bumps Pentagon spending, eyes $150B target for party-line package

Politico | Defense

By Connor O'Brien

24 April 2025 at 09:00

The upward move is a win for defense hawks as the Republican megabill comes together.

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) will write legislation to the new, larger figure ahead of a scheduled Tuesday markup.

The vicious rivalries tearing apart Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon

Politico | Defense

By Rachael Bade， Daniel Lippman， Jack Detsch and Paul McLeary

23 April 2025 at 07:15

A feud between the secretary's advisers and his chief of staff created backbiting and distrust that has erupted into the open.

From left to right: Colin Carroll, Darin Selnick, Dan Caldwell, Pete Hegseth, Joe Kasper

The Republican response to Hegseth's controversies: Publicly defend, privately seethe

Politico | Defense

By Connor O'Brien， Sophia Cai and Joe Gould

23 April 2025 at 05:33

GOP lawmakers worry about bucking the president but the public show of good will could expire.

Secretary Pete Hegseth has received President Donald Trump's full-throated backing amid the latest firestorm.

Hegseth says staffers found leaking ‘will be prosecuted’ amid Pentagon chaos

Politico | Defense

By Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing

22 April 2025 at 22:34

The Defense secretary has faced increased scrutiny as reports of disorder engulf the Pentagon.

Chaos at the Pentagon has quickly spiraled under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in recent days.

Fired Pentagon adviser says he threatened ‘established interests’

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch and Gregory Svirnovskiy

22 April 2025 at 08:57

Dan Caldwell, who was fired amid a leak investigation, said his unorthodox foreign policy views earned him enemies in the Pentagon.

An aerial view shows the Pentagon in Washington, on March 31, 2024. Home to the U.S. Defense Department, the Pentagon is one of the world's largest office buildings.

Hegseth blames 'disgruntled' employees for second Signal chat leak

Politico | Defense

21 April 2025 at 21:41

Former Pentagon official warns department's dysfunction could topple Hegseth

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

21 April 2025 at 07:15

“The last month has been a full-blown meltdown at the Pentagon,” John Ullyot, the former top Defense Department spokesperson, wrote in a POLITICO Magazine opinion piece.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during the Central American Security Conference in Panama City on April 9, 2025. A former top Pentagon spokesperson says the department is in "total chaos."

'Unconscionable': 3 former Pentagon officials say they don't know why they were fired

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch and Paul McLeary

20 April 2025 at 09:20

The ousted advisers, in their first public comments, praised the administration but made no mention of their former boss, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomes El Salvador's Minister of National Defense Rene Merino Monroy, left, to the Pentagon on April 16, 2025. Three top Defense Department officials fired this week said they don't know why they were ousted.

Trump and Xi are locked in a standoff over direct trade negotiations

Politico | Defense

By Phelim Kine， Ari Hawkins and Daniel Desrochers

20 April 2025 at 04:00

The president’s refusal to allow informal diplomatic outreach to bridge the gap between the White House and Beijing is slowing progress toward a possible deal.