US builds up military presence in Middle East

17 June 2025 at 01:24

The Pentagon is routing another aircraft carrier to the region and sending additional aircraft to Europe as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates.

The Navy's aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, center, sails during a joint naval exercise in international waters off South Korea's southern coast on April 4, 2023.

US moves warships closer to Israel

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

13 June 2025 at 22:29

The move comes as Israel braces for a retaliatory attack from Iran.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely sails in the Atlantic Ocean on Aug. 2, 2012.

Hegseth won’t commit to obeying courts on Marines in Los Angeles

Politico | Defense

By Joe Gould and Kyle Cheney

13 June 2025 at 00:17

The Defense secretary said he’d comply with a Supreme Court order blocking Trump’s domestic deployment, but did not commit to the other courts.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fields questions on the Pentagon budget from the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

Pentagon to review US role in AUKUS submarine pact

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch and Paul McLeary

12 June 2025 at 05:19

The three-nation partnership aims to protect against China in the Pacific.

The Navy's USS Minnesota, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, sails off the coast of Western Australia on March 16.

Hegseth says troops in LA are lawful. He just can’t explain why.

Politico | Defense

By Joe Gould and Connor O'Brien

12 June 2025 at 03:58

The Pentagon chief stumbled when pressed on the legal underpinning for the deployment of 700 Marines to California.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate appropriations hearing on Capitol Hill on June 11.

‘America’s reputation is on the line’: Republican senators chide Hegseth over Ukraine

Politico | Defense

By Connor O'Brien and Joe Gould

12 June 2025 at 00:03

The former Senate majority leader and a top Trump ally laid into the Pentagon chief over the administration’s actions toward the embattled country.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies during a Senate appropriations hearing on June 11, 2025.

Troops deployed to LA will cost $134M, Pentagon predicts

Politico | Defense

By Connor O'Brien and Joe Gould

11 June 2025 at 00:08

The estimate came during a budget hearing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said the president is enforcing “law and order.”

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Pentagon comptroller Bryn MacDonnell testify during an appropriations hearing at the U.S. Capitol, on June 10, 2025.

Trump deploys Marines to Los Angeles

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary， Jack Detsch， Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney

10 June 2025 at 04:42

The troops will not participate in law enforcement activities, two officials said, unless the president chooses to invoke the Insurrection Act.

A burned out car sits destroyed after a night of protests in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Over the moon: How the Trump-Musk feud helps the lunar mission

Politico | Defense

By Sam Skove

7 June 2025 at 01:00

The public meltdown between the SpaceX founder and the president has given moon advocates in Congress and industry an opening — and they’re seizing it.

Donald Trump talks with Elon Musk as he arrives to watch SpaceX's mega rocket Starship lift off for a test flight in Boca Chica, Texas, Nov. 19, 2024.

Air Force chief: Qatari jet will cost less than $400 million to retrofit

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch

6 June 2025 at 01:21

Other estimates for transforming the plane into Air Force One have reached the billions.

President Donald Trump waves from the steps of Air Force one after delivering a speech on Oct. 30, 2020, in Rochester, Minnesota.

Trump, in show of NATO support, nominates official to key role with alliance

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

6 June 2025 at 01:02

The move reinforces support for European allies just two weeks before NATO leaders gather in The Hague.

President Donald Trump nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the Joint Staff's director of operations, to become the Supreme Allied Commander for Europe and commander, U.S. European Command.

‘Wake-up call’: Ukraine drone strike exposes dangers to US aircraft

Politico | Defense

By Joe Gould and Connor O'Brien

5 June 2025 at 03:53

Kyiv’s devastating attacks on Russia underscore how easily cheap drones can cripple an air force, including America’s.

This photo released by Irkutsk regional Gov. Igor Kobzev’s Telegram channel on Sunday, June 1, 2025, shows a burning truck that apparently was used to launch Ukrainian drones.

Hegseth to skip Ukraine meeting at NATO headquarters

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

4 June 2025 at 07:41

The Defense secretary's absence marks the first time in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group’s history that a Pentagon chief misses the monthly meeting.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drinks water during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, May 31, 2025.

Ukrainian delegation to brief senators amid Russia sanctions push

Politico | Defense

By Joe Gould and Paul McLeary

4 June 2025 at 06:46

Zelenskyy allies visit Congress to bolster Russia sanctions bill.

Soldiers of Ukraine's 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade fire a rocket toward Russian positions at the front line in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on June 3, 2025.

Navy set to rename ship honoring Harvey Milk amid DEI purge

Politico | Defense

By Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing and Paul McLeary

4 June 2025 at 04:53

The step furthers Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's agenda to stomp out DEI initiatives at the Pentagon.

The move targeting USNS Harvey Milk, named after the gay rights icon, comes as LGBTQ+ communities kick off pride month celebrations across the country.

Pentagon to redraw command map to more closely align Greenland with the US

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary and Phelim Kine

3 June 2025 at 06:07

The Pentagon's move to shift its oversight of Greenland under U.S. Northern Command aligns with President Trump’s pledge to take control of the autonomous Danish territory.

The U.S. has long had a military presence on the island, and the Pituffik Space Base, which boasts the Pentagon’s northernmost deepwater port, has long functioned as a strategic location to watch Russia and China.

White House plans to pull nomination for NASA administrator

Politico | Defense

By Ben Johansen

1 June 2025 at 03:17

Jared Isaacman has a long-running relationship with Elon Musk.

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump's pick to be National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) administrator, testifies during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on April 9, 2025, in Washington.

Hegseth warns Asia allies that China threat is ‘imminent’

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

31 May 2025 at 10:57

The U.S. defense secretary went to Singapore to reinforce alliances, and admonish allies about security spending.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers a speech during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

US military shifts messaging in Africa, telling allies to prepare to stand more on their own

Politico | Defense

By Associated Press

26 May 2025 at 06:50

“There needs to be some burden sharing,” said Gen. Michael Langley, the U.S. military’s top official in Africa.

Gen. Michael Langley (center) and Major Gen. Mohammed Berrid of Morocco attend the 21st edition of the African Lion military exercise in Morocco on May 23, 2025.

Trump MAGAfies West Point

Politico | Defense

By Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing

25 May 2025 at 01:53

Appearing in a red MAGA cap, the president delivered what sounded at times like a rally speech to the West Point graduates.

President Donald Trump arrives to deliver the commencement speech for the United States Military Academy graduating cadets in West Point, New York, May 24, 2025.

Bad news for Trump’s Golden Dome: He can’t build it without Canada

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch， Paul McLeary and Nick Taylor-Vaisey

23 May 2025 at 17:55

The president would need to rely on Ottawa to track Chinese and Russian missiles that could come at the U.S. from over the horizon.

President Donald Trump, accompanied by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, announces he has selected the path forward for the Golden Dome missile defense shield, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on May 20, 2025.

Trump administration accepts Qatari jet for Air Force One

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary and Joe Gould

22 May 2025 at 01:32

The controversial move sets up a fight with lawmakers in both parties.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to depart Al Udeid Air Base, May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.

Trump unveils $175B, 3-year price tag for Golden Dome

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

21 May 2025 at 08:14

The first tranche of funding would come from Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Congress has yet to pass.

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on May 20, 2025 about his "Golden Dome" missile defense system plan.

US waiting for Russian peace proposal, Rubio says

Politico | Defense

By Felicia Schwartz

21 May 2025 at 02:42

The Trump administration is rebuffing pressure from Congress and Europe to ratchet up pressure on Moscow after a call with Putin.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 20, 2025.

Trump to announce $25B funding for Golden Dome project

Politico | Defense

By Jake Traylor， Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch

21 May 2025 at 01:22

The price tag matches the amount in the president’s “big, beautiful bill” that lawmakers have yet to approve.

President Donald Trump speaks alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as he departs a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol, on May 20, 2025.

How Congress could crush Trump's Qatari plane gift

Politico | Defense

By Joe Gould and Connor O'Brien

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.