Pentagon

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Report: Laura Loomer Gets Pentagon Access

Pentagon admits far-right activist as mainstream media exits en masse, source tells WaPo

(Newser) - A source tells the Washington Post far-right activist and online personality Laura Loomer has received press credentials to cover the Pentagon, joining a new roster of right-wing personalities admitted under the Defense Department's controversial revised media policy. Loomer, 32, is known for her close ties to President Trump and...

No Nuclear Explosions During Nuclear Tests: Official

Tests focus on weapons systems, not live detonations, official says

(Newser) - The Trump administration's new round of nuclear testing won't involve actual nuclear explosions, Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified Sunday. Instead, the tests will focus on "the other parts of a nuclear weapon" to verify their reliability, Wright explained on Fox News, according to the New York Times...

Hegseth, Noem Among Cabinet Members Living in Military Digs

Senior US officials take over DC residences meant for top generals, admirals, drawing some criticism

(Newser) - Several senior Trump administration officials have moved into military housing traditionally reserved for top-ranking officers in the Washington, DC, area, reports the New York Times . Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth now resides in Quarters 8 at Fort McNair—the historic home typically assigned to the Army's vice chief of staff...

Trump: Nuclear Weapons Tests Will Resume 'Immediately'

Move comes as Russia, China expand nuclear weapons programs

(Newser) - President Trump on Wednesday announced he has ordered the Pentagon to "immediately" resume testing nuclear weapons, citing the need to keep pace with rival nations' programs. The president made the announcement on Truth Social just before a highly watched meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, NBC...

Bigelow Defends Nuke Thriller After Pentagon Pushback

Director says A House of Dynamite is grounded in realism

(Newser) - Kathryn Bigelow has responded to criticism from the Pentagon regarding her new Netflix film, A House of Dynamite, which dramatizes a failed US response to a nuclear strike. The director is defending the movie's portrayal of missile defense systems. She tells the Hollywood Reporter that her movies, including Zero ...

New York Times Identifies Mystery Donor to Troops

Newspaper says banking heir Timothy Mellon gave $130M to the Pentagon

(Newser) - A few days ago, reports surfaced that an anonymous donor had given the Pentagon $130 million to help pay troops during the government shutdown. Now, the New York Times has identified him: Timothy Mellon, a banking heir and railroad magnate who is a major supporter of President Trump. The president...

Trump Jr. Ties to Drone Firm Scrutinized After DOD Contract

President's son has $4M stake in Unusual Machines, which just saw its largest Pentagon deal

(Newser) - A Florida-based drone manufacturer with financial ties to Donald Trump Jr. has landed its largest Pentagon contract to date as the US military steps up efforts to boost domestic drone acquisition. The company, Unusual Machines, in which Trump Jr. holds a stake worth about $4 million, announced it will supply...

Anonymous Donor Gives $130M to Pay Troops During Shutdown

Legal grounds are unclear, but the gift won't go far in covering military payroll

(Newser) - The Pentagon announced Friday that it has accepted $130 million from a private, anonymous donor to go toward military pay during the government shutdown. The money was provided under the Pentagon's "general gift acceptance authority" and is intended to help cover the salaries and benefits of service members,...

Pentagon Sending Aircraft Carrier to South America

It's the latest US military escalation in the region

(Newser) - Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Friday the military is deploying an aircraft carrier to the waters off South America, a move the Washington Post describes as a "major escalation" of the US military presence in the region. Hegseth ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to...

Pentagon Announces Replacement Press Corps

Replacing Post , Times Are Gateway Pundit, LindellTV

(Newser) - Several outlets supportive of the political right said Wednesday they had agreed to a new press policy rejected by virtually all legacy news media organizations and will take their place in the Pentagon, the AP reports. The new Pentagon press corps will include the Gateway Pundit, the National Pulse, Human...

After Paper Agrees to Pentagon Press Rules, Reporter Goes Off

Andrew Thornebrooke accuses Epoch Times of manipulating information to suit Trump

(Newser) - A national security reporter has resigned from the Epoch Times after the publication agreed to new Pentagon rules that restrict press activity inside the building. Andrew Thornebrooke, who frequently covered the Defense Department despite not holding an active Pentagon press pass, submitted his resignation in protest, calling the outlet's...

Maureen Dowd Unloads on 'Muttonhead' Hegseth
Maureen Dowd Unloads
on 'Muttonhead' Hegseth
OPINION
Oct 19, 2025 6:53 AM CDT

Maureen Dowd Unloads on 'Muttonhead' Hegseth

New York Times columnist predicts his crackdown on reporters will backfire

(Newser) - New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd goes after newly rechristened war secretary Pete Hegseth in unwithering fashion in her new column. Among the insults hurled: "muttonhead," "utterly unqualified and looking like the third lead of a cheesy spring-break movie," "paranoid," "immature and...

Southern Command's Boss Quits as Pentagon Sends Forces

Adm. Alvin Holsey has held the job, overseeing the area that includes the boat strikes, for less than a year

(Newser) - The head of the US Southern Command, whose job includes overseeing military operations in the area where the Pentagon has been carrying out fatal strikes on what the Trump administration describes as drug-running boats, announced Thursday that he's leaving the position. Adm. Alvin Holsey has been in the...

Journalists Vacate Pentagon as Hegseth's Rules Kick In
Pentagon Reporters Pack Up
Oct 15, 2025 5:08 PM CDT

Pentagon Reporters Pack Up

Journalists turn in their badges as Trump endorses Hegseth's new rules

(Newser) - Dozens of reporters turned in access badges and exited the Pentagon on Wednesday rather than agree to government-imposed restrictions on their work, pushing journalists who cover the American military further from the seat of its power. News outlets were nearly unanimous in rejecting new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete...

A Pentagon Reporter Is Worried About What's Next

NPR's Tom Bowman, who is losing his press pass, says Hegseth wants reporters to be 'parrots'

(Newser) - Tom Bowman of NPR is losing the Pentagon press pass he's had for 28 years on Tuesday, and he offers both an explanation and a warning about why in an essay . NPR is one of many news organizations that have rejected strict new limits on what reporters can and...

Hegseth Is Really Going After Charlie Kirk's Detractors

Pentagon is probing hundreds of DOD staffers over online posts after activist's murder

(Newser) - The Pentagon has launched nearly 300 investigations into Defense Department personnel—including service members, civilian staff, and contractors—for their online comments following the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The sweeping probe, described in internal documents and reported by the Washington Post , follows a directive from Defense...

Press Association Blasts New Pentagon Restrictions

'The American people deserve to know how their military is being run'

(Newser) - Facing a deadline next week on whether to sign a statement acknowledging new restrictions on how they do their jobs or risk being thrown out of the Pentagon, journalists who cover the US military appear headed toward a showdown with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Negotiations over changing some of the...

Defense Officials Weigh In on Hegseth Meeting: 'Could Have Been an Email'

Event draws criticism for timing, tone, and focus on domestic roles

(Newser) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's attempt to rally America's military brass at Quantico Tuesday seems to have fizzled, with many officials left questioning why hundreds of generals were summoned in person—just hours ahead of the government shutdown . "Could have been an email," shrugged one of...

Trump to Generals: I've Never Had Such a Silent Room

Military brass were following protocol, but president asks them to loosen up

(Newser) - President Trump followed up defense chief Pete Hegseth's speech to the nation's top generals with one of his own, though he didn't lay out any new military initiatives. The president spoke for about 70 minutes and hit a wide range of topics. Some highlights via CNN , the...

Hegseth: 'Era of Politically Correct' Military Is Over

He also rails against 'fat generals,' facial hair, and 'woke' ideology

(Newser) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed a rare assembly of the top US generals and admirals on Tuesday, though his speech didn't reveal any major surprises. Hegseth reiterated points he has previously made: He wants a less "woke" fighting force and a warrior mentality. Highlights from his speech in...

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