All articles tagged with #defense policy
President Trump announced a $6.6 billion public-private shipyard in Baltimore, owned by defense firm Anduril, to build submarine components. The project, named Arsenal-2, aims to create 14,000 jobs but faces scrutiny due to Anduril founder Palmer Luckey’s new Pentagon advisory role and the company’s lack of prior submarine experience.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a one-day military stand-down to facilitate voting in the upcoming midterms, a move he framed as ensuring service members have the time to cast ballots. This directive coincides with new orders to use cyber capabilities against foreign election interference, though critics note the administration has simultaneously removed key voting assistance tools for military personnel.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has launched 'Project Meridian,' a 120-day initiative to map the future of warfare, assigning key advisory roles to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Anduril founder Palmer Luckey. While the Pentagon asserts that nonprofit MITRE will manage the analysis with conflict-of-interest safeguards, critics argue the move grants major defense contractors undue influence over future procurement. The project, which includes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, is due to report findings in January 2027, though officials note it may miss the 2028 budget cycle. The appointment has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and retired military officials who view the arrangement as an oligarchic consolidation of power by major campaign donors.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has launched the Office of Religious Affairs (ORA), a new entity reporting directly to him to advocate for military chaplains and secure funding for spiritual support. The office aims to bypass bureaucratic barriers that Hegseth claims previously sidelined religious services, though critics argue it disproportionately elevates Christian influence within the military.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth established a new Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) that reports directly to him, bypassing traditional bureaucratic layers. The office aims to secure funding and infrastructure for military chaplains and religious support, which Hegseth described as previously neglected by secular administrators. While the Pentagon states the office will not compel religious participation or favor specific faiths, the move follows a broader restructuring of the military’s spiritual and leadership structures.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has launched 'Project Meridian,' a 120-day initiative to identify future military capabilities and weapons needs. The project is co-led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, overseen by Pentagon CTO Emil Michael. This marks Musk's first formal advisory role in the Trump administration since leaving the Department of Government Efficiency in May 2025. The initiative aims to forecast technological edges for future conflicts, ranging from subterranean to space-based warfare, with findings due by late January 2027.
The U.S. military has officially ended its presence in Iraq, concluding Operation Inherent Resolve. This withdrawal, which began in 2014 to combat ISIS, marks a shift from a coalition mission to a bilateral security relationship. While the U.S. claims success in defeating ISIS as an organized threat, the timing coincides with a war against Iran, raising concerns about regional stability and the rise of Iran-backed militias.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a controversial 'State of the Force' address at Quantico, Virginia, on September 30, 2026, announcing a 20% reduction in senior military ranks and launching a new warfare task force. The speech, which included anti-diversity rhetoric and a transgender slur, drew sharp criticism from Democratic veterans who called it 'beneath the dignity' of the office. Hegseth framed the cuts as necessary to eliminate 'woke' culture and improve lethality, while critics argued the moves destabilize the military during an unpopular war in Iran.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed a plan to reduce general and admiral positions by 20 percent by January 2027, doubling the previous year’s cuts. Announced at a 'State of the Force' address in Quantico, Virginia, the move affects roughly 800 senior officers. Hegseth framed the reductions as necessary to eliminate bureaucratic 'woke' culture and improve lethality, while critics argue the changes are politically motivated purges that threaten military professionalism and readiness during an ongoing conflict in Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced six new military initiatives at Marine Corps Base Quantico, including a new drone warfare command, a domestic base construction plan, and a 20% reduction in general and admiral ranks. He criticized the previous administration's diversity efforts and accused the media of treason regarding the ongoing Iran conflict. The address, titled 'State of the Force,' emphasized lethality and recruitment of tech leaders like Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey for future weapons development, while facing scrutiny over the war's cost and troop morale.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appointed Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to lead 'Project Meridian,' a 120-day Pentagon initiative focused on identifying future warfare domains and capabilities. The project, facilitated by Pentagon CTO Emil Michael, aims to forecast weapons needs for future generations rather than create new policy. This marks Musk's first official advisory role in the Trump administration since his departure from DOGE, coinciding with the launch of a new autonomous warfare command.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a 20% reduction in senior military ranks, a new drone command, and a commission led by Elon Musk and Newt Gingrich to study future warfare. While he framed these moves as efficiency measures, critics note the new initiatives expand the Pentagon's budget and bureaucracy.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a merit-based competition for governors to pitch their states for a new, self-sustaining military base housing up to 25,000 troops, described as the first new installation built in 40 years.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has released a new 144-page field manual for military personnel. The document, distributed ahead of his 'State of the Force' address, primarily consists of his own speeches and statements from President Donald Trump. A key feature of the manual is Trump's pledge to avoid engaging in 'dumb wars,' reflecting the administration's current defense priorities.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Project Meridian, a 120-day initiative led by Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to identify future military capabilities. The project aims to define technological needs for future conflicts, from subterranean to lunar domains, while the co-leads' companies hold significant active defense contracts.