Hegseth spars with senators over defense budget, LA in tense hearing
The defense secretary took issue with multiple questions, at times talking over Senators at the hearing.
Pentagon & Congress
House panel pushes ahead $453 billion funding plan for VA next year
The appropriations plan would add more than $80 billion to the current VA funding level, giving the department its biggest budget ever.
Trump orders return to old, Confederate-linked names for 7 Army sites
Service officials said the reverted base names will now have links to Army heroes instead of Confederate leaders.
Hegseth questions Air Force plan to buy E-7, touts space-based recon
Air Force officials say the E-7 must replace its aging E-3 AWACS planes and would be needed even when space-based ISR capabilities are in orbit.
Panel advances defense budget despite missing details from White House
The $832 billion defense spending plan provides no increase from current fiscal year funding levels.
LA deployments to cost $134 million and last 60 days, Pentagon says
The cost estimate came during a feisty exchange as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the House on Tuesday.
Trump’s military deployments to LA raise legal, political concerns
Trump issued a memo to deploy troops to areas where protests are occurring or "likely to occur," which may allow forces to operate in other cities.
700 Marines deployed to LA to respond to immigration protests
About 700 Marines have been ordered to deploy to Los Angeles to help National Guard members respond to immigration protests.
Bipartisan House proposal aims to speed up defense acquisition work
The proposal could be the template for significant reform plans this year in how the military plans and buys new weapons systems.
Lawmakers condemn Trump’s use of Guard, active-duty troops in LA
Critics warn that the president's decision to mobilize Guard troops over the California governor's objections sets a "troubling precedent."
Transgender vet sues VA over decision to halt hormone therapy meds
VA officials in March announced plans to end all transgender-related health care programs, a move advocates say will hurt veterans.
Hegseth returns to Capitol Hill to defend Trump’s defense budget plan
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of June 8, 2025.
‘Unite for Vets’ rally calls for Trump to abandon planned cuts at VA
Thousands of veterans gathered in Washington on Friday to rally against potential cuts to veterans services and staffing.
Watchdog probes if aides were asked to delete Hegseth’s Signal chats
The inspector general’s investigation focuses on how information about the March 15 airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen was shared on the messaging app.
Advocates lament Pentagon policies targeting women’s military service
Veterans visited congressional offices this week to deliver messages of concern over recent Pentagon moves targeting the roles of women in the military.
Trump taps senior Air Force commander for European Command boss
Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich would also take over as the supreme allied commander Europe if his nomination is confirmed by the Senate.
Air Force pegs cost to modify Qatar-gifted plane at ‘less than $400M’
The service, which will oversee the upgrades, hasn’t provided details on the scope or schedule of the modifications or confirmed who will perform the work.
