Defense &
National Security
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Defense &
National Security
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Defense, foreign policy issues to watch for in Trump's speech |
President Trump will give his first joint address of his second term tonight, emboldened by a month of mass federal agency slashing and shocking foreign policy moves. |
The president is expected to tout his sweeping efforts to reshape the government, crack down on immigration and reorient U.S. foreign policy on the heels of an Oval Office spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Among the things to watch for in his prime-time speech will be how he defends the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), run by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, despite widespread controversy over the manner in which agencies, including the Defense Department and Department of Veteran Affairs, are being slashed and workers fired on the spot.
There’s ongoing concerns from Democrats and some Republicans about the scope of the cuts that DOGE is implementing, especially as the team has overhauled the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development — a critical tool in soft foreign power. The speech also comes right on the heels of Trump's Monday night move pausing aid to Ukraine in an about-face of U.S. foreign policy amid his public clash with Zelensky late last week. Trump also called off peace talks with Zelensky but said Monday that a minerals deal was not completely off the table.
Trump’s remarks may provide more clarity on the path forward for U.S. policy toward Ukraine.
The president said a proposed deal for the U.S. to invest in Ukraine’s critical mineral supply was still possible, but that Zelensky “should be more appreciative” if he wants to restart talks.
Some Republicans have in recent days suggested Zelensky was not the right leader for Kyiv moving forward, while Democrats have warned the Trump administration is playing into Russia’s hands.
Read the full report at TheHill.com. |
Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. |
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How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future: |
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President Trump’s nominee for ambassador to NATO expressed a commitment to the alliance during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, despite Trump allies — including Elon Musk — calling for a U.S. withdrawal. Matthew Whitaker, who served as acting attorney general during Trump’s first term, said if he is confirmed as ambassador to NATO, he would push allies to increase their defense spending and convene the alliance … |
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The U.S. and Ukraine signaled Tuesday the minerals deal between the two countries is very much alive, despite continued fallout from the contentious White House meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky last week. Speaking to reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday morning, Vice President Vance said he was certain a deal could be reached. “The mineral deal is an important part of the president’s … |
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Republican members of the Senate Armed Services Committee led by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) grilled Elbridge Colby, President Trump’s pick to serve as undersecretary of Defense for policy, over his evolving stances on Iran, Taiwan and NATO allies. Republican senators have privately raised concerns over Colby’s past statements, specifically what they interpret as his past desire to shift U.S. national security focus away from … |
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Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is warning that failure to reach a spending deal with critical adjustments for federal spending levels and priorities would be a “recipe for disaster” because it would hamstring the Pentagon’s ability to respond to changing national security threats. McConnell warned that a yearlong continuing resolution, which would essentially keep in place the funding levels and priorities … |
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Upcoming things we're watching on our beat: |
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President Trump delivers an address to a joint session of Congress, with Vice President Vance; Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.); and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) at 8 p.m. tonight in the U.S. Capitol.
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Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) will deliver the Democratic response to Trump’s address to Congress at 9:30 p.m. tonight.
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill: |
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FBI New York field office chief says he was forced to resign |
The head of the FBI’s New York field office, who had been critical of Trump administration firings at the bureau, says he was forced out of his role. James Dennehy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, said in a note to staff that he was told to put in his retirement … |
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Events in and around the defense world: |
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The Association of the U.S. Army will host a seminar on “Holistic Health and the Resilient Soldier,” at 8 a.m.
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The Reagan Institute will hold its National Security Innovation Base Summit, with Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan; (D-Pa.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), at 8:30 a.m.
- Wilson Center will have a virtual discussion on “Protecting Maritime Security and Stability in the Indo-Pacific: Challenges for the U.S. and Japan,” at 9 a.m.
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The House Select Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party Committee will hold a hearing on “End the Typhoons: How to Deter Beijing’s Cyber Actions and Enhance America’s Lackluster Cyber Defenses,” at 9:15 a.m.
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The Air and Space Forces Association will host the final day of its Warfare Symposium: “The Threat is Now: Building the Force to Win,” at 10 a.m.
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News we've flagged from other outlets: |
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GOP chairmen brush off call for immediate hearings on firings of top military leaders (Military.com)
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First, Fort Bragg. Then Fort Benning. Is Georgia’s Fort Eisenhower next? (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
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Museum exhibit controversy reignites airman’s Medal of Honor dispute (Military Times)
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Two key stories on The Hill right now: |
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The Ukrainian government has launched a T-shirt fundraising effort seeking to capitalize on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s now-infamous … Read more |
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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said President Trump may announce a compromise with Canada and Mexico on Wednesday, the day after he imposed 25 percent … Read more |
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Op-ed related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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