Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

The Pentagon removed four U.S. troops killed in renewed U.S.-Iran fighting from its official Iran war death toll, placing them in a new 'Overseas Operations' category. The Defense Casualty Analysis System now lists 14 dead and 420 wounded from the Iran war, though a U.S. official stated wounded numbers exceed 500. President Donald Trump cited 18 killed in the conflict on social media.

The U.S. military attacked an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person and leaving two survivors. This strike is part of the Trump administration's campaign against 'narcoterrorists' in Latin America, which has resulted in at least 208 deaths since September 2026. Critics question the legality and effectiveness of the strikes, as the military did not provide evidence the vessel was carrying drugs, and follow-up attacks have raised legal concerns.

A federal appeals court ruled that a Trump administration policy banning transgender military members violated their constitutional right to equal protection, allowing some plaintiffs to continue service. The 2-1 decision, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia, upheld a lower court ruling and found the policy arbitrary and based on animus. The case, Talbott et al v. Trump, involves eight active-duty service members and others seeking enlistment.

A federal appeals court ruled that a Trump-era policy banning transgender military members from service violates constitutional equal protection rights, allowing plaintiffs in the case to continue serving. The 2-1 decision found the policy 'arbitrary and based upon animus' toward transgender individuals, though the injunction does not apply universally to all transgender service members or those seeking enlistment.

A federal appeals court ruled that a Trump administration policy banning transgender military members from service violates constitutional equal protection rights, allowing involved plaintiffs to continue serving. The 2-1 decision found the policy arbitrary and based on animus, though it does not universally apply to all transgender service members or those seeking enlistment.

A federal appeals court ruled that a Trump-era policy banning transgender military members from service violates constitutional equal protection rights, allowing plaintiffs to continue serving temporarily. The 2-1 decision criticized the policy as arbitrary and driven by animus toward transgender individuals, though it does not universally apply to all transgender service members or those seeking enlistment.