House passes defense bill, forcing Pentagon's hand on boat strike videos

11 December 2025 at 06:41

The must-pass legislation also restricts the Trump administration from significantly reducing U.S. troop levels in Europe

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and ranking member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) will mark up the chamber's fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act this week.

Trump lacks support or logistics for Venezuela ground invasion

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary， Jack Detsch and Joe Gould

10 December 2025 at 18:55

The president told POLITICO on Monday that he wouldn’t rule out a ground invasion of the South American country.

Supporters of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro wave Venezuelan flags in Caracas on Aug. 11.

Johnson quietly cut provisions about Afghan relocation from NDAA

Politico | Defense

By Eric Bazail-Eimil

10 December 2025 at 05:55

Republicans are facing intense pressure to clamp down on any programs that benefit Afghan refugees in the wake of the Nov. 26 shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members.

The provisions to restore the State Department’s Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts said that language reestablishing the office was included in the draft compromise NDAA as recently as Friday. Then Mike Johnson and Republican leadership axed it over the weekend.

Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos

Politico | Defense

By Leo Shane III， Connor O'Brien and Joe Gould

9 December 2025 at 02:20

Lawmakers quietly stuck the requirement into their must-pass annual defense policy bill.

President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth looks on.

Compromise defense bill stymies Trump on Europe troop withdrawals

Politico | Defense

By Connor O'Brien

8 December 2025 at 08:38

The National Defense Authorization Act also would repeal a pair of decades-old war authorizations and proposes an $8 billion boost to Trump's defense budget.

Speaker Mike Johnson and House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers will aim to pass the final version of the National Defense Authotization Act this week.

Hegseth declares end of US 'utopian idealism' with new military strategy

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

7 December 2025 at 07:11

The Defense secretary, speaking at the Reagan Defense Forum, outlined defense priorities that focus on the Western Hemisphere and reevaluate the U.S. relationship with Europe.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2025, in Quantico, Virginia.

Read the Signalgate report

Politico | Defense

By POLITICO Staff

5 December 2025 at 00:27

The Pentagon inspector general investigated whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated the agency’s standards for sharing classified information and put troops in danger.

The report concludes a nine-month investigation into whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated the agency’s standards.

Top 6 takeaways from the Pentagon’s Signalgate investigation

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch， Paul McLeary and Maggie Miller

5 December 2025 at 00:19

The agency watchdog investigated whether the Defense secretary violated the agency’s standards for sharing classified information and put troops in danger.

Secretary of State Pete Hegseth looks on during a meeting with President Donald Trump and President of Argentina Javier Milei in the Cabinet Room at the White House on Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington.

New York Times sues Pentagon over press restrictions

Politico | Defense

By Gregory Svirnovskiy

4 December 2025 at 23:14

The world-famous newspaper is suing Pete Hegseth and the Defense Department to reverse the new press policy.

The lawsuit lists Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a top Pentagon spokesperson as co-defendants.

Can Hegseth’s MAGA playbook spare him again?

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch

4 December 2025 at 18:55

The Defense secretary has a game plan for controversies, but the latest ones may prove a stiffer test.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a Cabinet meeting, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington.

China debate delayed Trump security strategy

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary and Nahal Toosi

4 December 2025 at 10:30

Two key documents laying out the administration's strategic national security priorities are now expected to be released this month.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during an event on "Trump Accounts" for kids in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington.

Pentagon watchdog says Hegseth’s Signal chats put troops at risk

Politico | Defense

By Joe Gould and Maggie Miller

4 December 2025 at 03:08

The inspector general produced two reports on the Defense secretary’s use of the messaging app to discuss sensitive Yemen strike plans.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Dec. 2, 2025.

Second boat strike tests GOP loyalty to Trump

Politico | Defense

By Connor O'Brien， Joe Gould and Leo Shane III

3 December 2025 at 06:25

More Republicans are showing alarm about the president's military campaign against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean.

President Donald Trump closes his eyes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Dec. 2, 2025.

White House says admiral approved second deadly boat strike

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

2 December 2025 at 05:06

Karoline Leavitt defended the killings — and seemed to deflect any blame away from Pete Hegseth.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks after a meeting with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Nov. 26.

Allies worry US demands Ukraine deal before security guarantees

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch

27 November 2025 at 05:26

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told European allies that President Donald Trump will negotiate long-term assurances for Ukraine’s safety.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio sits during negotiations with Ukrainians over a peace plan in Geneva on Nov. 23.

Pete Hegseth is a no-show in Ukraine. That suits the White House just fine.

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch and Paul McLeary

27 November 2025 at 03:05

The Defense secretary has carved out an unorthodox political niche that has helped insulate him from criticism inside the administration, at least for now.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives at the White House to watch President Donald Trump pardon a Turkey on Nov. 25.

Driscoll meets with Russians in Abu Dhabi about Ukraine peace plan

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

25 November 2025 at 12:57

The Army secretary is speaking to Russian officials on Tuesday without Secretary of State Marco Rubio or other U.S. negotiators.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll in Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov. 20, 2025.

Pentagon to investigate Sen. Mark Kelly for anti-Trump video

Politico | Defense

By Connor O'Brien and Leo Shane III

25 November 2025 at 02:30

The unprecedented move comes after the retired Navy captain advised troops they don’t need to obey unlawful orders.

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) speaks to reporters Sept. 17, 2025, in Washington.

Lawmakers say Rubio distanced US from peace plan

Politico | Defense

By Joe Gould

23 November 2025 at 08:10

Members of Congress attending an international security forum said Secretary of State Marco Rubio called them to say the Americans did not instigate the proposal.

Sen. Mike Rounds speaks with reporters on the Capitol subway on Nov. 20, 2025.

Ukraine's allies consider how to fill intelligence gaps if US backs out

Politico | Defense

By Daniella Cheslow

23 November 2025 at 07:48

Trump’s threat to withhold military intelligence exposes lagging satellite abilities among allies.

A dead body lies on the ground at a market destroyed by a Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.

GOP lawmaker complains Canada’s defense spending still falls short in the long run

Politico | Defense

By Mike Blanchfield

23 November 2025 at 03:55

Ottawa defends NATO commitment as forward progress at 'breakneck' speed

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) looks on during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill Sept. 16, 2025.

US and Russia to meet about Ukraine as Europe races to influence deal

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary， Jack Detsch and Felicia Schwartz

23 November 2025 at 03:42

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told a group of European ambassadors that the continent couldn’t match the Russian defense industry’s output, and the time for settling had arrived.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talks with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll in Kyiv, Ukraine on Nov. 20, 2025.

A Vance ally rises at the Pentagon — with Trump's blessing

Politico | Defense

By Jack Detsch， Sophia Cai and Paul McLeary

21 November 2025 at 18:55

Dan Driscoll’s visit to Ukraine this week underscored his new prominence in the administration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll in Kyiv, Ukraine on Nov. 20, 2025.

Top Army officials visit Kyiv on peace and tech sharing mission

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch

19 November 2025 at 09:11

It's the highest-level visit by the Trump administration to the war-torn country since Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent traveled to Kyiv in February.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll (above) and chief of staff Gen. Randy George have used Ukrainian battlefield innovations as an example the U.S. defense industry and Pentagon should emulate in weapons development.

Trump says he will sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia

Politico | Defense

By Eli Stokols， Paul McLeary， Jack Detsch and Felicia Schwartz

18 November 2025 at 05:34

The president's comments, which could antagonize Israel, come a day before he welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House.

President Donald Trump arrives with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a group photo with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders during the GCC Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 14, 2025.

Republicans turn on Trump’s defense policy chief

Politico | Defense

By Joe Gould， Connor O'Brien and Paul McLeary

15 November 2025 at 01:30

Administration allies say they are fed up with the Defense Department’s third-most senior leader and his foreign policy surprises.

Elbridge Colby, nominee to be undersecretary of Defense for policy, arrives for a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 4, 2025.

Hegseth, in tone shift, talks nice to defense industry

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary， Jack Detsch and Joe Gould

8 November 2025 at 06:17

The Pentagon chief offered a rare message of unity in a Friday speech to executives.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth salutes as he and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back inspect a guard of honor in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 4.

Trump nominates Isaacman to run NASA — again

Politico | Defense

By Audrey Decker

5 November 2025 at 07:15

The unprecedented move follows a high-profile fight over who will run the space agency.

Jared Isaacman, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to be NASA administrator, testifies during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee confirmation hearing in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 9, 2025, in Washington.

Canada, in push away from US, aims to invest billions in defense

Politico | Defense

By Paul McLeary

5 November 2025 at 05:18

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s budget, released Tuesday, calls for a new industrial strategy and a multibillion-dollar project to bolster Ottawa’s defense spending.

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