Defense Department

Donald Trump announced a crime emergency in Washington, leading to the deployment of the National Guard; this mission has been extended until January 2029. Residents question the necessity and view the continued federal presence as an attempt to restrict D.C.’s autonomy, despite reports showing drops in overall and homicides rates.

A National Guard deployment initiated by Donald Trump during a crime emergency has been extended until January 2029. Residents question the necessity of the troops, viewing the presence as an attempt to restrict D.C.'s autonomy despite falling overall and homicide crime rates reported locally.

A National Guard deployment, initially announced by President Donald Trump amid a crime emergency, has been extended through January 2029. While government officials credit the surge with dropping crime rates and transforming D.C. into a safe haven, local residents argue that the sustained presence of troops is an unacceptable attempt to restrict the city's autonomy.

President Donald Trump proposed a massive $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget increase for fiscal 2027, while Congress is considering boosting total base spending to $1.15 trillion. Defense data shows that Texas, California, and Virginia have consistently reaped the most federal funding over the last four fiscal years. The article notes that Matt Borron emphasized that increased funding must prioritize infrastructure maintenance in these communities.

Congressional Democrats are investigating efforts concerning the deportation of U.S. military service members and their families, following an Associated Press report that found over 50 active-duty troops’ spouses and parents detained by immigration authorities. Lawmakers sent a letter to several departments expressing concern that apparent collaboration between DHS and the military imperils military readiness and weakens morale.

Congressional Democrats are investigating efforts by the Trump administration to deport military service members and their families, following an Associated Press report detailing detentions of over 50 active-duty troops' spouses and parents. In a letter sent to several agencies, lawmakers questioned potential coordination between DHS and the Pentagon on these deportation efforts, warning that such actions imperil military readiness and weaken service members’ morale.

A US judge issued an order blocking the Defense Department from enforcing its designation labeling WuXi AppTec Co. as a Chinese military company. This legal action provided temporary relief to the major pharmaceutical contractor.

The Pentagon posted biblical messages, including 'SEND ME,' on official social media accounts as U.S. forces faced warnings regarding the war with Iran's strain on resources. These posts marked an institutional shift, following months of controversy concerning the role of religion within the Defense Department and specific commanders' statements. The agency declined to explain whether these biblical passages were intended as an expression of faith, proselytizing, or a coordinated communications strategy.

The National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., extended until January 2029, is projected to cost $1.4 billion according to a Defense Department estimate. The deployment, initiated by President Donald Trump to address crime, has faced criticism for infringing on local autonomy and militarizing the city. The cost includes an average of 2,500 National Guard members through 2029.

The extension of the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., until January 2029 is estimated to cost $1.4 billion, according to a Defense Department estimate provided to Congress. The deployment, initiated by President Donald Trump's emergency order to combat crime, faces criticism from local officials and Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who argue it infringes on the city's autonomy and militarizes the streets at public expense.

Scouting America removed diversity initiatives, including dedicated spaces for gay youth, women, and scouts of color, from the National Jamboree due to pressure from the Pentagon. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened to end the Pentagon's partnership with the organization unless it refocused away from 'woke' policies, leading to some scouts withdrawing from the event.

DARPA's inaugural Lift Challenge aims to revolutionize heavy vertical-lift aviation by finding a drone capable of lifting four times its own weight. The $6.5 million competition, part of the Defense Department's Drone Dominance initiative, seeks to reduce costs for industries like agriculture and logistics by advancing payload-to-weight ratios in drone technology.

The Pentagon removed the name of James Clapper from an auditorium at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) headquarters. The auditorium was renamed 'Thomas Knowlton Leadership Hall' at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.

The Trump administration revised the classification of Iran war casualties in a Pentagon database, listing four service members as deceased in 'Overseas Operations.' Veterans criticized the move as a 'huge disrespect' for the families of the deceased, arguing it downplays the war's impact.

The Pentagon acknowledged a temporary data disruption caused a discrepancy in the reported death toll for Operation Epic Fury, initially listing 18 deaths but later showing 14. The Defense Department denied claims from the New York Times that four service members were removed due to a post-ceasefire timeline, calling the report a 'non-story.' Senate Democrats demanded a comprehensive accounting of casualties.

The Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office released a report detailing an unexplained aerial phenomenon sighting off Virginia Beach's coast. The report notes over 300 such sightings nationwide in the past 12 months.

The Defense Department has selected the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech to host a revamped Senior Service College Fellowship for senior military officers. This marks the first universities approved after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended prior partnerships with top universities.

President Donald Trump honored four U.S. service members killed in the Middle East during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base. The deceased included soldiers from Hawaii, Texas, New York, and North Carolina, who were killed in Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan and Iraq.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion, with Republicans citing urgent military funding needs. Senate Appropriations Committee members debated emergency funding, with Democrats like Patty Murray opposing additional war spending due to safety concerns and stockpile depletion.

President Donald Trump attended the dignified transfer of four U.S. service members killed in the Middle East at Dover Air Force Base. The deceased included soldiers from Jordan and Iraq, with Trump stating he would retaliate against Iran for their deaths.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion, with warnings of critical shortfalls if Congress does not approve additional funding. Senate Appropriations Committee members debated the need for emergency military spending, with Republican Chair Susan Collins emphasizing urgent requirements and Democrat Patty Murray criticizing the war's impact and opposing further funding.

President Donald Trump is attending the dignified transfer of four U.S. service members killed in the Middle East at Dover Air Force Base. The event includes the remains of two soldiers killed in Jordan, one missing soldier presumed dead from the Jordan attacks, and a soldier killed in Iraq during an Iranian drone detonation.

President Donald Trump will attend the dignified transfer of four U.S. service members killed in the Middle East at Dover Air Force Base. The soldiers, including those killed in Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan and Iraq, were identified by the Defense Department. Trump stated he will attend as an honor and linked the U.S. strikes against Iran to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The article critiques the FY 2027 U.S. defense budget of $1.5 trillion as being driven by an arbitrary target set by President Trump rather than strategic priorities. Todd Harrison of the American Enterprise Institute highlights that the budget includes all three fighter jet programs (F-15s, F-35s, and sixth-generation fighters) without making tradeoffs, and contains large, vaguely defined line items like the $54 billion Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG).

Two U.S. Army soldiers, James Feehan of Hawaii and Isabella Gonzales of Texas, were killed in Jordan during Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks, marking the first U.S. troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the war began. The conflict, involving drones and missiles, has escalated with American forces deployed across the Middle East, leading to casualties on both sides.

The Defense Department plans to screen service members' testosterone levels and offer supplementation. NPR's Ailsa Chang discusses this proposal with Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman of Georgetown University.

The US House GOP launched a budget reconciliation process to allocate up to $60 billion for defense and $12 billion for farm aid, with instructions for four committees to draft a $95 billion package. The process includes provisions for voter ID grants, intelligence funding, and potential changes to election rules.

The US House GOP initiated a budget reconciliation process to allocate up to $60 billion for defense and $12 billion for farm aid through specific committee instructions. The proposal includes funding for voter ID grants, intelligence, and other priorities, with potential House floor votes soon.

The US House GOP launched a budget reconciliation process to allocate $95 billion, including $60 billion for defense and up to $12 billion for farm aid. The plan directs four committees to draft bills, with the House Budget Committee set to debate the resolution next, followed by potential Senate action.

The US House GOP initiated a budget reconciliation process to allocate $60 billion for defense, $12 billion for farm aid, and up to $10 billion for election-related grants. The proposal includes instructions for four House committees to draft bills, with potential Senate approval pending.

The U.S. House GOP launched a budget reconciliation process to allocate up to $60 billion for defense and $12 billion for farm aid. The $95 billion package includes instructions for four committees to draft bills, with the Agriculture Committee allocating up to $12 billion and the Armed Services Committee up to $60 billion. The process aims to advance election reforms and defense funding.

Anthropic is hiring experts to prevent AI misuse in areas like nuclear weapons, explosives, and cybercrime, offering salaries in the mid- to upper-$200Ks. The company emphasizes safety testing to avoid catastrophic outcomes, aligning with its belief in AI's real-world risks.

Saronic Technologies is expanding its Louisiana shipyard to advance autonomous naval vessels and AI-driven defense systems, following a notable rescue mission in the Strait of Hormuz. The company competes in the Navy’s $2.1 billion program for unmanned surface vessels, though its selection has drawn controversy. Louisiana’s maritime industry benefits from the investment, leveraging its existing shipbuilding workforce for next-generation defense manufacturing.

The Defense Department released a fourth batch of UFO files, including 19 new videos, a month after its third release. The latest tranche features analysis from astrophysicist Avi Loeb.

U.S. forces have launched strikes against Iran in response to attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which the U.S. claims violates a ceasefire. President Donald Trump revoked Iran's oil sales license, further straining the ceasefire.

A federal judge ordered the Pentagon to temporarily halt a requirement that New York Times journalists be accompanied by an official escort, ruling the policy violated the First Amendment. The decision comes amid ongoing legal battles and tensions between the Trump administration and the media over Pentagon access restrictions.

A federal judge ordered the Pentagon to temporarily halt a policy requiring New York Times journalists to be accompanied by an official escort, citing a First Amendment violation. The Pentagon disputes the ruling, arguing it weakens security, while the Times praised the decision as constitutional. The legal battle continues as part of ongoing tensions between the media and the Trump administration.

A group of moderate House Republicans, including Rep. Don Bacon, is threatening to block an $88 billion Iran war spending bill unless 4,200 U.S. troops are redeployed to Poland. The rebels argue the abrupt withdrawal of troops from Poland last month was mishandled and demand answers from the Pentagon, risking the bill's passage due to the narrow Republican majority and potential Democratic opposition.

A first-of-its-kind analysis by The Intercept found that women in the Army are more likely to be killed by fellow service members than enemy combatants. Between 2011 and August 2025, at least 41 Army women died by homicide, with over half of perpetrators being current or former military personnel. Research suggests the military’s hypermasculine culture contributes to violence against women.

Defense Department morale has reached a low point as Pete Hegseth repeatedly uses the four-word phrase 'Because I said so!' to respond to critics. The article highlights a decline in morale linked to Hegseth's responses.