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.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, right, and United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth address a media conference during a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.

Politico | Defense
‘We have to have it’: Trump ups the pressure on Greenland
27 March 2025 at 01:01

‘We have to have it’: Trump ups the pressure on Greenland

Politico | Defense

By: By Danny Nguyen

27 March 2025 at 01:01

His statement comes as top U.S. officials plan a controversial visit to Greenland, which Danish officials see as part of an intense pressure campaign.

President Donald Trump is pressuring Greenland to cede its territory to America.

Politico | Defense
‘Reckless and dangerous’: Hegseth leaked sensitive attack details, officials say
26 March 2025 at 22:17

‘Reckless and dangerous’: Hegseth leaked sensitive attack details, officials say

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch

26 March 2025 at 22:17

Their concerns follow The Atlantic’s decision on Wednesday to publish texts from a Signal chat among top national security officials.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of Defense, speaks before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing in Washington on Jan. 14, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Trump gave Waltz a vote of confidence. It wasn’t as smooth behind the scenes.
26 March 2025 at 17:55

Trump gave Waltz a vote of confidence. It wasn’t as smooth behind the scenes.

Politico | Defense

By: By Megan Messerly， Dasha Burns， Rachael Bade， Eli Stokols and Sophia Cai

26 March 2025 at 17:55

The fight over Waltz’s survival shows the administration is obsessed with reporters more than national security protocols.

President Donald Trump, during a Tuesday meeting, called Waltz “a very good man” and suggested that his national security adviser had been unfairly attacked.

Politico | Defense
Waltz takes 'full responsibility' – and calls Atlantic editor 'scum'
26 March 2025 at 07:48

Waltz takes 'full responsibility' – and calls Atlantic editor 'scum'

Politico | Defense

By: By Ali Bianco

26 March 2025 at 07:48

In an interview with Fox News, the national security advisor denied knowing how the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg joined the thread.

National security adviser Mike Waltz speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump and U.S. ambassadors in the Cabinet Room of the White House on March 25.

Politico | Defense
Hegseth slips up during an international trip — again
26 March 2025 at 06:29

Hegseth slips up during an international trip — again

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch and Paul McLeary

26 March 2025 at 06:29

Every international trip the Pentagon chief has taken has been clouded by controversy.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks at a press conference during the NATO Defense Ministers' meeting on February 13, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium.

Politico | Defense
There's a tug-of-war in the Republican party over Waltz's Signal chat
26 March 2025 at 06:28

There's a tug-of-war in the Republican party over Waltz's Signal chat

Politico | Defense

By: By Robbie Gramer and Paul McLeary

26 March 2025 at 06:28

“Both sides are using this scandal to advance their agenda,” said one Republican Senate staffer.

Many of Mike Waltz’s sympathizers, conscious of the criticisms against him, are emphasizing his importance to the president’s foreign policy agenda.

Troops to start surveillance at border

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch

26 March 2025 at 04:33

The deployment of Stryker vehicles with surveillance capabilities will mark a new phase in the Trump administration’s effort to use the military to detain migrants.

U.S. Army Strykers roll toward the Brigade Tactical Operations Center in Ft. Irwin, California, on Jan. 17, 2017.

Politico | Defense
Russia has ‘seized the upper hand’ in Ukraine war, intel community warns
26 March 2025 at 03:00

Russia has ‘seized the upper hand’ in Ukraine war, intel community warns

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien

26 March 2025 at 03:00

An annual intelligence assessment of global threats also questions both countries’ willingness to reach a quick settlement to the war.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, joined at right by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, answers questions as the Senate Intelligence Committee holds its worldwide threats hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 25, 2025.

Politico | Defense
US announces Black Sea deal with Russia and Ukraine
26 March 2025 at 00:10

US announces Black Sea deal with Russia and Ukraine

Politico | Defense

By: By Eric Bazail-Eimil

26 March 2025 at 00:10

The region's shipping safety has vexed the international community amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has upended shipments of grain through the Black Sea, ratcheting up global fears about food shortages.

Politico | Defense
Hegseth, contradicting White House, disputes he texted war plans
25 March 2025 at 09:34

Hegseth, contradicting White House, disputes he texted war plans

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary

25 March 2025 at 09:34

The Defense secretary attacked the journalist who was mistakenly added to a Signal chat with national security officials, but did not dispute its existence.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth walks out of the White House on March 21, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Waltz’s future in doubt following accidental war plan leak
25 March 2025 at 07:25

Waltz’s future in doubt following accidental war plan leak

Politico | Defense

By: By Dasha Burns， Rachael Bade and Eli Stokols

25 March 2025 at 07:25

“You can’t have recklessness as the national security adviser,” one official said.

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz gestures to Fox News host and President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, after speaking with her at the White House on March 19.

Politico | Defense
Trump advisers in war plans chat criticized Dems for fumbling secrets
25 March 2025 at 06:48

Trump advisers in war plans chat criticized Dems for fumbling secrets

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch

25 March 2025 at 06:48

“That’s why we have other devices,” a former Defense official said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was a prolific critic of Hillary Clinton’s private email use and Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents.

Politico | Defense
All the ways Trump has weakened Ukraine's hand in talks with Russia
25 March 2025 at 04:01

All the ways Trump has weakened Ukraine's hand in talks with Russia

Politico | Defense

By: By Eli Stokols

25 March 2025 at 04:01

The U.S., once firmly aligned with Ukraine, has been trying to broker a deal to end the war started by the Kremlin’s invasion.

An American delegation led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to attend a high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian officials. This photo is from an earlier round of talks.

Politico | Defense
5 revelations from the Trump administration’s war plan texts
25 March 2025 at 03:49

5 revelations from the Trump administration’s war plan texts

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary

25 March 2025 at 03:49

Vice President JD Vance suggested the president doesn’t understand the stakes of the Houthi strikes and other takeaways from the messages inadvertently shared with a journalist.