Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said “there is no need for public alarm” after House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) called on President Biden to declassify information about a “serious national security threat.” “I saw Chairman Turner’s statement on the issue and I want to assure the American people, there is no need for public alarm,” Johnson told reporters in the…
As the United States stares down the barrel of a deadline to raise the national debt ceiling, past and current Pentagon leaders are sounding the alarm on how such an event could be deeply damaging to the country and those who keep it safe. Disrupted pay for service members, late benefits checks for veterans and…
The GOP backlash to a former Navy digital ambassador who performs as a drag queen highlights a growing focus for Republican lawmakers overseeing the military. Even before Joshua Kelley was hammered for making Instagram videos under the drag queen name Harpy Daniels, Republicans held hearings on diversity programs at the Pentagon and blasted drag shows…
The U.S. Army training base Fort Benning was renamed Fort Moore on Thursday, as part of a larger effort by the military to remove associations with the Confederacy. The Georgia base, which was named for Confederate Gen. Henry L. Benning, was redesignated in honor of Lt. Gen. Harold “Hal” Moore and his wife, Julia “Julie”…
As former President Trump solidifies his front-runner status in the Republican 2024 presidential primary race, his views on the Russia-Ukraine war paint an increasingly stark contrast with GOP leaders in Congress. On Wednesday, he pledged to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office and refused to say which side he wants to win the…
The Pentagon’s top two officials on Thursday warned lawmakers a default on the nation’s debt would put troops’ pay in danger and benefit China. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee that busting the debt ceiling would put the country’s reputation at “substantial risk” in the world. “There’s just a number of…
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday condemned what he called “utterly revolting” comments by Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R) about white nationalism in the military after Tuberville seemed to challenge efforts to purge white nationalists from the armed forces. Schumer, who has repeatedly criticized Tuberville for putting a blanket hold on 184…
A bipartisan coalition of congressional lawmakers on Thursday sent letters to the heads of Australia, India, the U.K. and Canada to urge the U.S.-allied nations to designate the Iranian army as a terrorist group. Twenty-two Republican and Democratic lawmakers signed the letters, which were addressed and sent individually to the four countries. The letters put…
The British Defence Ministry on Thursday announced the transfer of long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, marking the first time a Western allied nation has pledged to deliver such munitions to Kyiv. In an address to the House of Commons, Defence Minister Ben Wallace outlined alleged Russian war crimes before announcing the delivery of Storm Shadow…
The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday ripped into his Republican colleagues for postponing a mark-up of the annual defense policy bill over the debate on the debt limit. Ranking member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) accused the GOP of taking the debt ceiling increase “hostage,” which he said will jeopardize national security. “There…
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said Wednesday that he does not support Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Ala.) blanket hold on more than 180 non-political military promotions, which Democrats say is keeping qualified people out of key roles. “I don’t support putting a hold on military nominations, I don’t support that,” McConnell told reporters. Tuberville has…
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is blasting Senate Republicans for the “irresponsible” and “unprecedented” hold on top military promotions and nominations, warning it will hurt military families should it continue. In a May 5 letter, Austin details the hits to national security and risks to military readiness due to Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Ala.) hold on 184 general and flag…
A Texas judge on Wednesday sentenced an Army sergeant convicted of killing a Black Lives Matter protester during 2020 racial justice demonstrations to 25 years in prison. The conviction and sentencing of former U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Perry, 36, have riled up some conservatives who have called his actions self-defense. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R)…
Russia’s Victory Day is typically a huge day of celebration across the country and a time for Moscow to flex its military muscle. But this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered just a brief speech in the Red Square to mark Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. And the roughly 10-minute parade…
The Ukrainian military has downed a Russian missile using the U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system, the Pentagon’s top spokesman confirmed Tuesday. “I can confirm that they did down a Russian missile by employing the Patriot missile defense system,” press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters. “As you know, that system is part of a…
The Defense Department on Tuesday officially renamed Fort Hood to Fort Cavazos, honoring the nation’s first Hispanic four-star general, who served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. The U.S. Army held a ceremony at the base in central Texas to commemorate the official change, part of an effort to rename nine bases in the…
The Biden administration on Tuesday pledged a massive $1.2 billion chunk of long-term military assistance to Ukraine as the embattled country readies a counteroffensive that could alter the course of the war. The aid will include weapons seen as Ukraine’s “most urgent requirements,” including air defense systems and munitions. The package will also provide equipment that Ukraine’s Armed Forces…
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says U.S. military and economic aid will continue to flow into Ukraine despite calls from some in his party for the United States to pull back from the war. The future of U.S. support for Ukraine in its war against Russia has been clouded by some uncertainty since Republicans…
The leader of Russia’s private mercenary Wagner Group on Sunday appeared to reverse his announcement from last week that his forces would pull out of Bakhmut, a frontline Ukrainian city that has been under assault for months. Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, released grisly videos last week showing bloodied corpses…
President Biden is expected to soon announce that he has chosen Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. to become the country’s senior-most military officer later this year. If formally nominated and approved by the Senate, Brown, 60, would become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing Army Gen. Mark Milley,…