Women in combat ‘proficient,’ SecDef says, dismissing calls for change
Austin praised women in the military and said they should not be removed from front-line fighting posts.
Pentagon & Congress
US to send Ukraine $275M in new weapons to bolster Kyiv before Trump
The latest tranche of weapons comes as worries grow about an escalation in the conflict.
Lawmakers advance plans to boost veteran caregiver support
Bipartisan legislation passed by the House would improve at-home care options for ailing vets and mandate protections for community care programs.
Should women serve in combat? Trump’s defense pick reignites debate
Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth has made it clear that he believes men and women shouldn't serve together in combat units.
Trump picks former congressman Doug Collins as next VA secretary
Collins served as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve and deployed to Iraq in 2008.
Military suicides rose in 2023, continuing a troubling trend
Officials said that the suicide rate among troops has increased steadily over the last decade.
Could Trump drop the VA and DOD abortion access policies right away?
Advocates say undoing the military's abortion policy may be easier than ending VA rules.
Trump’s defense choice, a Fox News host, stuns the Pentagon
The news was met with bewilderment and worry among many in Washington as Trump passed on a number of established national security heavy-hitters.
Trump picks Fox commentator Pete Hegseth as his next Defense Secretary
Hegseth is an Army veteran and will need to be confirmed by the Senate before taking over the top civilian Pentagon post.
VA plans to drop co-pays for all telehealth services
The move is part of broader department efforts to expand telehealth options for patients.
Lawmakers want VA to better secure records after campaign violations
Justice Department officials are reivewing whether VA employees improperly viewed health records of both VP candidates.
Homelessness among veterans drops to record low levels
Just under 33,000 veterans were without stable housing across America in January.
Next year’s Congress will feature the most women vet members ever
At least eight women with military backgrounds will serve in the House and Senate in 2025.
Pentagon chief directs military to conduct smooth transition to Trump
In a memo, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reminded service members of their obligation to follow the lawful orders of the next commander in chief.
Former VA secretary to lead Trump’s Pentagon transition efforts
Robert Wilkie served in both the Defense Department and VA during Trump's first presidency.
Plea deals revived for alleged 9/11 mastermind and others
The plea agreements would spare Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants the risk of the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas.
Former VA physician found guilty of sexually assaulting a patient
The doctor was accused of assualting multiple patients during routine exams in 2019 and 2020.
