#pentagon
19 entries with this tag
Pete Hegseth Wanted a Historic 1930s Globe Used by General Dwight Eisenhower in World War II Moved Into His Pentagon Office Because He Found Its History "Attractive" — So His Staff, Skipping the Trained Curators Who Normally Handle Such Artifacts (and Who Were Furloughed in a Government Shutdown), Tried to Carry It Themselves and Dropped It, Gashing the Shell Several Inches Wide and Snapping It Off Its Rotating Mount; Critics Called It "a Perfect Metaphor" for His Pentagon
On October 22, 2026, the Washington Post's Dan Lamothe reported that earlier in the year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's staff had broken a historic roughly 30-inch globe used by General Dwight D. Eisenhower during World War II while trying to move it into Hegseth's Pentagon office. Hegseth reportedly wanted the globe because he found its historical significance "attractive" — an Eisenhower totem for his own office. Moving such an artifact is normally a deliberate process handled by trained curators; according to Snopes, the attempt happened on February 3, during a government shutdown, when the historians who would ordinarily manage it were furloughed. A group dispatched by Hegseth's team tried to carry it themselves, and dropped it — gashing the shell several inches wide near Antarctica and detaching it from the metal mounting that lets it rotate, with small pieces left on the floor. One source attributed the damage to an "apparent lack of patience." The Army confirmed the damage and said the globe was ultimately not moved to Hegseth's office — the plan was abandoned after it broke; the Pentagon called the object a replica, said "accidents happen," that it was grateful no one was harmed, and that the globe was being repaired, and the Defense Department denied Post reporters' requests to inspect it. It is a small story with an unmissable shape: a vanity impulse to decorate the secretary's office with a piece of Eisenhower's legacy, executed by rushing past the experts, ending in the legacy itself lying broken on the floor. Historians and commentators called it "a perfect metaphor" for Hegseth's Pentagon.
The Trump Administration Convened a Select NATO Working Group in Poland to Discuss the Alliance's Future — and Pointedly Left Out the United Kingdom, France, and the Frontline Baltic States, Three of the Allies Most Committed to Defending Europe and Deterring Russia — Prompting Diplomats to Warn That Washington Is Trying to Split NATO Into "the Good Ones and the Bad Ones"
In early October 2026, the Trump administration organized a Pentagon-led NATO working group — reported as the "Bergen Group" — to meet in Poland and discuss the alliance's future, and it excluded some of NATO's most important members. Invited were Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Left out were the United Kingdom and France — two of Europe's leading military powers and nuclear states — and the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the frontline states most exposed to Russia and among the alliance's most active defense contributors relative to their size. Allied diplomats were confused and alarmed, questioning Washington's criteria and warning against carving the alliance into tiers. "If they try splitting NATO into the good ones and the bad ones, it is dangerous for the US," one diplomat said. "But for Europe, this is existential." The exclusion of exactly the countries that do the most to deter Russian aggression — and the elevation of a hand-picked subset in their place — fits a documented pattern in Trump's foreign policy of straining the Western alliances that are America's greatest strategic advantage, in ways that serve Moscow's long-standing goal of a divided NATO.
For His "State of the Force" Address, Defense Secretary Hegseth Had the Pentagon Ask Commanders to Send Only Fit, Top-Performing, "Impeccably Groomed" Troops — Screening His Own Audience by Appearance So the Cameras Would Show a Flawless Military Behind Him, With the Chosen Few Offered a Workout With Him — While the Force He Actually Runs Is Mired in an Unwinnable War, a Recruiting Crisis, and Leadership He Purged
According to emails reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon asked military commanders to hand-pick the service members allowed to attend Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's September 30 "State of the Force" address — and the criteria were about appearance as much as anything. One email to Army commanders said potential attendees had to pass the Army fitness test and meet its waist-to-height ratio while maintaining "impeccable grooming and uniform standards (no exception)." The Pentagon also wanted troops "consistently rated as top performers" with "a clear record of integrity, discipline and selfless service," and selected attendees were offered the chance to work out with Hegseth. In other words, the Secretary of Defense curated his own audience by how the troops would look on camera behind him. Physical standards are a real part of military readiness, and a defense secretary is entitled to care about them. But screening who may sit in the room for a speech — by grooming, waistline, and photogenic performance record — is not readiness; it is set-dressing. It is the instinct of a former television host staging a backdrop, applied to a military that is, at this moment, bogged down in a nearly seven-month war its own generals call unwinnable, short thousands of troops it cannot recruit, and missing senior leaders Hegseth himself pushed out. He is arranging the extras while the production burns.
The Pentagon Secretly Put MAGA Social-Media Influencers — Retired Colonels With Hundreds of Thousands of Followers Who Spend Their Days Praising Defense Secretary Hegseth and Attacking the Reporters Who Scrutinize Him — on the Government Payroll as "Special Government Employees," in Undisclosed Roles With Official Email Addresses but No Stated Duties, and the Pentagon Won't Say What They Do or Whether Taxpayers Are Paying Them
According to a Washington Post investigation published August 30, 2026, the Pentagon has quietly installed several conservative military veterans with large online followings into government positions — declining to disclose their assignments — where they amplify Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's viewpoints and attack those who scrutinize the Trump administration. Among them: Rob Maness, a retired Air Force colonel with roughly 130,000 followers on X; Kurt Schlichter, a retired Army colonel and columnist with nearly 620,000 followers; and Thomas Anderson, a retired colonel who regularly defends Hegseth to his 320,000-plus followers. They were brought on as "special government employees" or "highly qualified experts," hold official Pentagon email addresses, and at least two report to the office of Anthony Tata, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness — in roles that the Post reports could shape policy. Yet the Pentagon refused to tell the Post what these people actually do, how long their jobs last, or whether they are drawing a taxpayer-funded salary. In other words: the Defense Department appears to have put partisan influencers on the public payroll to run domestic political messaging for the Secretary and to go after his critics, and then declined to account for any of it. The military is supposed to serve the whole country and stay out of partisan politics. This turns a slice of it into Hegseth's personal PR and troll operation, paid for — as far as anyone outside will confirm — by the public it is aimed at.
On the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, Trump Plans to Skip the Ground Zero Remembrance — Where Families Read the Names of the Dead — Reportedly Because a Rule in Place Since 2012 Bars Politicians From Giving Speeches There, So He Will Go Instead to the Pentagon, Where He Can Have the Microphone
September 11, 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people — a milestone remembrance. According to reporting, Trump plans to skip the ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at Ground Zero in New York, where the day is observed by relatives reading aloud the names of the dead. The reason, per multiple outlets: the memorial has barred elected officials from delivering speeches at the anniversary ceremony since 2012 — a rule adopted to keep the day nonpartisan and focused entirely on the victims and their families — and Trump wanted to speak. His team had even done advance site visits to the Manhattan memorial before he decided instead to mark the anniversary at the Pentagon, which was also struck on 9/11 and where he can deliver remarks. Vice President JD Vance will represent the White House at Ground Zero in his place. The White House disputes the framing: Communications Director Steven Cheung responded to reporting on it with "FAKE NEWS." But the reported explanation is its own indictment. The Ground Zero ceremony asks a president to stand among mourners in silence while parents and children read the names of the dead — to be present without being the center. That, reportedly, is the one thing he would not do. Even the nation's most solemn day, it seems, is only worth attending if he holds the microphone.
Trump Is Now in an Open Feud With the Pope — Demanding the First American-Born Pontiff Stop Criticizing His Wars and Deportations, Questioning Whether Leo XIV Was Even Legitimately Elected, and Summoning a Vatican Diplomat to the Pentagon for a "Bitter Lecture" to Get in Line
A diplomatic rift between the United States and the Holy See that began in early 2026 has escalated into an open feud between Trump and Pope Leo XIV — the first U.S.-born pope. Leo has criticized, on moral and humanitarian grounds, the administration's foreign and domestic conduct: the war on Iran, military action toward Venezuela, the Greenland and Cuba crises, the halting of foreign aid, and the mass-deportation operation known as Operation Metro Surge. Trump's response has not been to answer the criticism but to try to silence the critic. He has demanded that Leo refrain from criticizing U.S. policy, and has gone so far as to question the legitimacy of Leo's election as pope. A top Vatican diplomat was summoned to the Pentagon and given what was described as a "bitter lecture" demanding the Pope get behind Trump. The White House invited Leo to celebrate America's 250th birthday in Washington; he declined. Secretary of State Marco Rubio — himself Catholic — was dispatched to meet the pontiff to manage the damage. It is an extraordinary spectacle: the President of the United States pressuring the Vatican to stop making moral objections to his killing and deporting, and impugning the validity of a papal conclave because the man it chose will not bless his policies. A president confident in the morality of his actions does not need to lecture the Pope into silence.
DOGE Officially Ended on July 4 — It Promised $2 Trillion in Savings but Left an $11 Billion Hole from Paying Workers Not to Work, Federal Spending Hit a Post-COVID High, the Deficit Grew to $1.17 Trillion, Agencies Are Now Scrambling to Rehire, and Musk Says He Would "Not Do It Again"
The Department of Government Efficiency officially expired on July 4, 2026, as prescribed by the executive order that created it. It leaves behind a government that is spending more, not less — and scrambling to rehire the people it fired. Elon Musk promised $2 trillion in savings. DOGE claimed $215 billion. Independent analysis found actual savings of roughly $1.4 billion in verifiable contract cuts, while the "Fork in the Road" deferred resignation program alone cost taxpayers an estimated $11 billion — paying nearly 140,000 workers to do nothing for months before resigning. Federal spending rose to a post-COVID high: up $83.9 billion (2.3%) in the first half of FY2026, reaching $3.6 trillion — the highest level since pandemic-era outlays. The deficit grew to $1.17 trillion for the half-year, second-largest since 2021. DOGE staffer Nate Cavanaugh testified under oath that DOGE "did not reduce the federal deficit." More than 260,000 federal employees left government. Courts ordered reinstatements at 18 agencies covering 24,000+ workers. Now agencies are hiring again at a furious pace: USAJobs posted 104,000 positions in the first five months of 2026, up from 68,900 in the last five months of 2025. The IRS lost 31% of its auditors and got fast-track authority to hire 8,000. HHS laid off 10,000, RFK Jr. admitted 20% were mistakes, and is now hiring 12,000. The VA lost 40,000 employees — 88% from healthcare, including 1,000 physicians and 3,000 nurses — and veteran mental health wait times hit 134 days at one California clinic. The Pentagon shed 78,000 employees and launched "War Force" to hire them back. The National Weather Service lost 880 employees including the warning coordination meteorologist whose absence was felt during deadly Texas floods. The State Department fired hundreds of career diplomats and is now training replacements. The FAA cut probationary employees, hired them back, then launched a "supercharge" program. The NEH lost two-thirds of its staff and is now emailing former employees asking them to reapply. OPM Director Scott Kupor, asked if there is still a goal to cut the workforce: "I'm not hearing that." OMB Director Russell Vought: "We have no plans to do kind of a closing DOGE report." Musk, in a December 2025 interview: DOGE was "somewhat successful" and he would "not do it again." The Yale Budget Lab estimated IRS cuts alone will cost $8.5 billion in lost revenue in 2026 and up to $860 billion over a decade. The Center for American Progress put the ten-year revenue loss near $1 trillion. Musk's efficiency project did not make the government more efficient. It made it more expensive, more understaffed, less capable, and now more desperate to undo what it did.
Pentagon Hires Convicted January 6 Rioter for Highly Sensitive Counterterrorism Job — He Has Zero Counterterrorism Experience
The Trump administration hired 24-year-old Elias Irizarry — who pleaded guilty to entering the Capitol through a broken window on January 6, was sentenced to 14 days in jail, and then pardoned by Trump — to work in the Pentagon's Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict office, specifically the irregular warfare and counterterrorism section. The unit handles hostage rescue, embassy security, and personnel recovery. Every position requires a top-secret security clearance. Irizarry has zero counterterrorism experience. His LinkedIn lists "Patriot" as his profession. He ran for state office and lost. The Pentagon called him "a qualified, patriotic young professional." Staff internally question how someone convicted of assaulting American democracy can be trusted to defend it.
"This Is Just Disarray": Pentagon Insiders Sound Alarm as Hegseth Purges Officers With Impeccable Records
Insiders describe the Pentagon as in "disarray" and "an atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust" as Defense Secretary Hegseth has fired or sidelined dozens of senior officers — the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Army Chief of Staff, the Navy Secretary, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Cyber Command chief, the NATO military rep, and more. All during an active war. A current official: "He's just really uncomfortable with anyone who could potentially be outshining him."
"Unacceptable" and "Obscene": Vindman Condemns Trump and Hegseth's Cavalier Attitude Toward U.S. Deaths in Iran
Rep. Eugene Vindman called Trump and Hegseth's attitude toward American casualties in Iran "unacceptable" and "obscene." At least 15 U.S. troops dead, 520+ wounded. Hegseth boasted of "death and destruction from the sky all day long" and said "We are punching them while they're down." Trump joked it was "more fun" to sink warships than capture them. The Pentagon has been accused of hiding casualty numbers.
Pete Hegseth's Christian-Nationalist Program at the Pentagon Has Grown So Overt That Service Members Are Now Formally Complaining About It — a Military Religious-Freedom Watchdog Says It Has Logged Roughly 200 Complaints and Seen Requests for Legal Help From Active-Duty Troops Triple, With Some Describing Pressure to Attend Working-Hours "Worship Services" and One Officer Casting the Iran War as the Fulfillment of the Book of Revelation; a Church-State Group Has Sued the Defense Department for the Records
By late April 2026, the Christian-nationalist turn Pete Hegseth has given the Defense Department — the monthly "worship services" he hosts in the Pentagon auditorium, the war prayers, the Jesus-and-country rhetoric this archive has tracked since March — had produced something harder to wave off than op-eds: complaints from inside the ranks. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which advocates for service members' religious liberty, says it has logged roughly 200 complaints tied to the Pentagon's religious programming, and that requests for help and legal advice from active-duty troops have tripled. Its founder, Mikey Weinstein, argues the rhetoric corrodes "good order, morale, discipline and especially unit cohesion." The complaints describe real pressures: services held during working hours in the Pentagon auditorium that troops fear they are expected to attend, and, in one account, an officer framing the war on Iran as the fulfillment of prophecy from the Book of Revelation. The Pentagon disputes the criticism and insists the services are voluntary, that no one was punished for skipping them or rewarded for attending, and that they are "constitutionally protected" and "undoubtedly improve morale." Hegseth has brushed off the critics as "the freedom-from-religion crowd," saying, "The left-wing shrieks, which means we're right over the target." A separate church-state group, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, has sued the Defense Department for records on the services — their cost, their guests, and the complaints received. The MRFF figures are its own tally, not an independent audit; but a secretary of defense whose religious program is generating complaints, legal requests, and lawsuits from the very force he commands has a problem no amount of "over the target" can spin away.
Hegseth Quotes Pulp Fiction at Pentagon Prayer Service — Thinks It's the Bible
Defense Secretary Hegseth read Samuel L. Jackson's Pulp Fiction monologue at a Pentagon worship service, calling it "CSAR 25:17" and linking it to Ezekiel 25:17. The Pentagon confirmed the text was "obviously inspired by dialogue in Pulp Fiction." In Tarantino's film, a hitman recites it before executing people.
Pentagon Preparing Weeks of Ground Operations in Iran — Week 5 of a War Trump Is "Bored" With
The Washington Post reported the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran using Special Operations and conventional infantry. Marines and 82nd Airborne already deploying. Trump hasn't approved the plans — and is reportedly "bored" with the war.
Hegseth Personally Struck Black and Female Officers from Promotion List
Hegseth personally removed 2 Black men and 2 women from the Army's brigadier general promotion list after the Army Secretary repeatedly refused. His chief of staff said "Trump would not want to stand next to a Black female officer at military events."
U.S. Can Only Confirm a Third of Iran's Missile Arsenal Destroyed After a Month of War
Reuters: U.S. intelligence can only confirm about a third of Iran's missiles destroyed after nearly a month of bombing. Another third's status is unclear — possibly buried in tunnels. Similar for drones. The Pentagon had touted a "90% reduction" in attacks.
Pentagon Evicts All Reporters After Judge Strikes Down Press Rules
After a judge ruled the Pentagon's press restrictions unconstitutional — finding they were designed to weed out "disfavored journalists" — Hegseth retaliated by closing the Correspondents' Corridor and removing all media offices from the building.
MyPillow CEO's LindellTV Given White House and Pentagon Press Access — While Real Journalists Are Evicted
Mike Lindell's conspiracy-promoting LindellTV was given White House press room access and Pentagon press corps credentials — alongside Gateway Pundit and Epoch Times. Meanwhile, AP was banned, photographers were evicted, and the Pentagon closed its Correspondents' Corridor.
Unprecedented Mass Firing of Military Leaders
In a single Friday night, Trump fired the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the first female Navy chief, and four other top military leaders. Both four-star women officers were removed. Hegseth then ordered a 20% cut to general officer positions.
Banned Transgender People from Military Service
Trump announced via tweet — blindsiding the Pentagon — that transgender people would be banned from serving in the military. Four federal courts blocked it. Defense Secretary Mattis and the Joint Chiefs were not consulted.