BREAKING NEWS
New top prosecutor for DC advocated for Jan. 6 rioters and echoed Trump's false 2020 election claims
Read full article: New top prosecutor for DC advocated for Jan. 6 rioters and echoed Trump's false 2020 election claimsThe top federal prosecutor for Washington is a conservative activist who promoted Donald Trumpās conspiracy theories about a stolen election, railed against the prosecution of the rioters who stormed the Capitol and represented some in court.
Kash Patelās podcast persona: Staunch Trump defender and fierce critic of the FBI he could soon lead
Read full article: Kash Patelās podcast persona: Staunch Trump defender and fierce critic of the FBI he could soon leadKash Patel positioned himself as a steadfast Donald Trump loyalist well before the president picked him to run the FBI.
He's emboldened, he's organized and he's still Trump: Takeaways from the president's opening days
Read full article: He's emboldened, he's organized and he's still Trump: Takeaways from the president's opening daysDonald Trumpās first week in office isnāt over yet, but what the Republican president has done so far offers clues about how his next four years in the White House may unfold.
Trump defends pardons for rioters and suggests Proud Boys could have place in politics
Read full article: Trump defends pardons for rioters and suggests Proud Boys could have place in politicsPresident Donald Trump has defended his decision to pardon people convicted of assaulting police officers during the attack on the Capitol and suggests there could be a place in U.S. politics for the Proud Boys extremist group, quickly evoking some of the controversies of his first term.
Biden pardons Fauci, Milley and the Jan. 6 panel. It's a guard against potential 'revenge' by Trump
Read full article: Biden pardons Fauci, Milley and the Jan. 6 panel. It's a guard against potential 'revenge' by TrumpThe heads of the Jan_ 6 committee say they're grateful for the decision by President Joe Biden to pardon them ānot for breaking the law but for upholding it.ā.
On pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new ways
Read full article: On pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new waysPresident Joe Biden faces a stark choice as he contemplates broad preemptive pardons to protect aides and allies from potential retribution by Donald Trump.
Austin endorses women in combat jobs and exhorts West Point cadets to defend the Constitution
Read full article: Austin endorses women in combat jobs and exhorts West Point cadets to defend the ConstitutionDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin is forcefully endorsing having women in combat roles and emphasizing the militaryās obligation to defend the U.S. Constitution.
Trump praised Minnesota Gov. Walz in 2020 for response to unrest over Floyd's murder, audio shows
Read full article: Trump praised Minnesota Gov. Walz in 2020 for response to unrest over Floyd's murder, audio showsFormer President Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance have been hammering Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over his response to the violence that erupted in the aftermath of the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
Top former US generals say failures of Biden administration in planning drove chaotic fall of Kabul
Read full article: Top former US generals say failures of Biden administration in planning drove chaotic fall of KabulThe former top military chief Gen. Mark Milley and former head of U.S. Central Command testified before Congress Tuesday on policy failures by the Biden administration to adequately plan for or direct an evacuation in time to avoid the chaotic final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Grave peril of digital conspiracy theories: 'What happens when no one believes anything anymore?'
Read full article: Grave peril of digital conspiracy theories: 'What happens when no one believes anything anymore?'It's not uncommon to believe conspiracy theories, and surveys show that many Americans believe in at least one of them.
Pence calls Trump's attacks on Milley 'utterly inexcusable' at AP-Georgetown foreign policy forum
Read full article: Pence calls Trump's attacks on Milley 'utterly inexcusable' at AP-Georgetown foreign policy forumFormer Vice President Mike Pence is criticizing his boss-turned-rival, Donald Trump, for calling retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a traitor.
Gen. Milley delivers defense of democracy and swipes at Trump in farewell address
Read full article: Gen. Milley delivers defense of democracy and swipes at Trump in farewell addressArmy Gen. Mark Milley delivered a full-throated defense of democracy and not-so-subtle swipes at former President Donald Trump during a packed ceremony as he closed out his four, often tumultuous years as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Traveling with Milley: A reporter recalls how America's top soldier was most at home with his troops
Read full article: Traveling with Milley: A reporter recalls how America's top soldier was most at home with his troopsAn Associated Press reporter traveled with Gen. Mark Milley as he made his last trip to Normandy to honor those who fought on D-Day and celebrate with the young American soldiers in the French town that welcomes them every year.
As Gen. Milley steps down as chairman, his work on Ukraine is just one part of a complicated legacy
Read full article: As Gen. Milley steps down as chairman, his work on Ukraine is just one part of a complicated legacyAs chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley has spent the better part of the last two years rallying allies to provide weapons for the Ukrainians as they defend their country against the Russian forces.
Trump admires a Glock handgun ā but stops short of buying ā as he campaigns in South Carolina
Read full article: Trump admires a Glock handgun ā but stops short of buying ā as he campaigns in South CarolinaFormer President Donald Trump has stopped by a gun shop and admired a Glock handgun while returning to in-person campaigning in South Carolina.
Senate confirms chairman of joint chiefs as GOP senator still blocking hundreds of military nominees
Read full article: Senate confirms chairman of joint chiefs as GOP senator still blocking hundreds of military nomineesThe Senate has confirmed Gen. CQ Brown as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, putting him in place to succeed Gen. Mark Milley when he retires at the end of the month.
US defense chief urges nations to dig deep and give Ukraine more much-needed air defense systems
Read full article: US defense chief urges nations to dig deep and give Ukraine more much-needed air defense systemsDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin is urging defense leaders to ādig deepā and provide more air defense systems for Ukraine, to help the country block increasing barrages of Russian missiles.
North Korean arms for Russia probably wouldn't make a big difference in the Ukraine war, Milley says
Read full article: North Korean arms for Russia probably wouldn't make a big difference in the Ukraine war, Milley saysThe top American military officer says North Korea may be able to boost Russiaās supply of artillery munitions for the war in Ukraine.
US Defense Secretary Austin meets with Papua New Guinea leaders about boosting security ties
Read full article: US Defense Secretary Austin meets with Papua New Guinea leaders about boosting security tiesU.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with Papua New Guinea leaders to discuss developing the Pacific Island nationās military strength and deepening security ties, as the U.S. competes with China for influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
US says Ukraine has significant combat power not yet committed to the war
Read full article: US says Ukraine has significant combat power not yet committed to the warThe top U.S. military officer says Ukrainian forces have a āsignificant amount of combat powerā that hasnāt yet been committed to the war.
US military chief praises Japan's defense funding boost as a buttress against China and North Korea
Read full article: US military chief praises Japan's defense funding boost as a buttress against China and North KoreaThe highest-ranking U.S. military officer is praising Japan's moves to double its defense spending over the next five years.
The US is considering providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, says America's top military officer
Read full article: The US is considering providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, says America's top military officerThe top American military officer says the U.S. is considering providing cluster munitions to Ukraine.
Milley says fighting in Ukraine has increased and cautions the war with Russia will be lengthy
Read full article: Milley says fighting in Ukraine has increased and cautions the war with Russia will be lengthyU.S. Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley says fighting in Ukraine has increased, but he is cautioning against reading too much into each dayās operations.
Normandy marks D-Day's 79th anniversary, honors World War II veterans
Read full article: Normandy marks D-Day's 79th anniversary, honors World War II veteransWorld War II veterans, officials and visitors are commemorating D-Day on the beaches of Normandy to honor those who fought for freedom in the largest naval, air and land operation in history.
At Normandy D-Day celebrations, echoes of Ukraine's looming fight
Read full article: At Normandy D-Day celebrations, echoes of Ukraine's looming fightThere are no Ukrainian troops present at this year's commemorations of the 1944 D-Day landings in Normandy, which launched the Allied invasion of Europe and led to the end of World War II.
Macron awards top U.S. general France's highest honors
Read full article: Macron awards top U.S. general France's highest honorsFrench President Emmanuel Macron has awarded U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley Franceās highest medal of honor for his role in coordinating support for Ukraine and for his more than 40-year military career spent in defense of democracy.
Tanks, F-16 jets part of long-term aid for Ukraine, won't be ready for upcoming offensive, US says
Read full article: Tanks, F-16 jets part of long-term aid for Ukraine, won't be ready for upcoming offensive, US saysAmericaās top military officer says training for Ukrainian forces on advanced U.S. Abrams tanks has started, but those weapons crucial over the long term in trying to expel Russia from occupied territory will not be ready in time for Kyivās imminent counteroffensive.
Pentagon says allies will unite to train Ukrainians on F-16s, but warns jets aren't 'magic weapons'
Read full article: Pentagon says allies will unite to train Ukrainians on F-16s, but warns jets aren't 'magic weapons'Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says that European allies are developing a coordinated program to train Ukrainian forces on the F-16 fighter jet.
Air Force fighter pilot tapped by Biden to be next Joint Chiefs chairman has history of firsts
Read full article: Air Force fighter pilot tapped by Biden to be next Joint Chiefs chairman has history of firstsThe Air Force fighter pilot tapped to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff got his call sign by ejecting from a burning F-16 fighter jet high above the Florida Everglades and falling into the watery sludge below.
Ukraine downs Russian hypersonic missile with US Patriot
Read full article: Ukraine downs Russian hypersonic missile with US PatriotUkraineās air force claims to have downed a Russian hypersonic missile over Kyiv using newly acquired American Patriot defense systems, the first known time the country has been able to intercept one of Moscowās most modern missiles.
US says 20,000 Russians killed in Ukraine war since December
Read full article: US says 20,000 Russians killed in Ukraine war since DecemberThe White House says it now estimates that just since December Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties, including more than 20,000 killed, as Ukraine has rebuffed a heavy assault in eastern Ukraine.
Austin: US troops ready to support possible Sudan evacuation
Read full article: Austin: US troops ready to support possible Sudan evacuationPentagon chief Lloyd Austin says the American military has deployed forces and is developing options to assist in the potential evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel from Sudan.
US to begin training Ukrainian troops on Abrams tank
Read full article: US to begin training Ukrainian troops on Abrams tankU.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the United States will begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain Abrams tanks in the coming weeks, as the U.S. continues to speed up its effort to get them on the battlefield as quickly as possible.
Milley: US has long way to go to build munitions stockpile
Read full article: Milley: US has long way to go to build munitions stockpileThe top U.S. military officer says the Pentagon āhas a long ways to goā to beef up its munitions stockpiles and ensure the country is ready for any large-scale war.
US, Russia ratchet up their rhetoric over downing of drone
Read full article: US, Russia ratchet up their rhetoric over downing of droneRussia and the United States ratcheted up their confrontational rhetoric over a U.S. surveillance drone that encountered Russian warplanes and crashed near the Crimean Peninsula.
1st class of Ukraine fighters finishes advanced US training
Read full article: 1st class of Ukraine fighters finishes advanced US trainingThe Pentagon says the first class of 635 Ukrainian fighters has finished a five-week advanced U.S. training course in Germany on sophisticated combat skills and armored vehicles that will be critical in the coming spring offensive against the Russians.
Russia didn't take US phone call after Poland missile strike
Read full article: Russia didn't take US phone call after Poland missile strikeThe top U.S. military officer says he tried to reach out to his Russian counterpart in the aftermath of the missile explosions in Poland, but wasnāt able to get through.
100,000 Russian troops killed or injured in Ukraine, US says
Read full article: 100,000 Russian troops killed or injured in Ukraine, US saysThe chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says Russia's announced retreat from Kherson in southern Ukraine and a potential stalemate in fighting over the winter could provide both countries an opportunity to negotiate peace.
Blinken, in Kyiv, unveils $2B in US military aid for Europe
Read full article: Blinken, in Kyiv, unveils $2B in US military aid for EuropeU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv as the Biden administration ramped up military aid to Ukraine and other European countries threatened by Russia by more than $2.8 billion.
Pacific defense chiefs meet against backdrop of rising China
Read full article: Pacific defense chiefs meet against backdrop of rising ChinaDefense chiefs from across the Indo-Pacific gathered this week to bolster their connections against a backdrop of Chinaās ongoing campaign to expand its influence and military presence in the region.
US sending more military aid to Ukraine as war grinds on
Read full article: US sending more military aid to Ukraine as war grinds onThe U.S. and allies are committing more rocket systems, ammunition and other military aid to Ukraine, as American defense leaders say they see the war to block Russian gains in the eastern Donbas region grinding on for some time.
US sending $1 billion more military aid to outgunned Ukraine
Read full article: US sending $1 billion more military aid to outgunned UkraineThe U.S. says it will send an additional $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, as America and its allies work to provide longer-range weapons they say can make a difference in a fight where Ukrainian forces are outnumbered and outgunned by their Russian invaders.
US general: Ukraine will keep getting āsignificantā support
Read full article: US general: Ukraine will keep getting āsignificantā supportArmy Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says the United States and allied countries will keep providing āsignificantā support to Ukraine, out of respect for the legacy of D-Day soldiers.
Live updates | Russia puts sanctions on 61 U.S. nationals
Read full article: Live updates | Russia puts sanctions on 61 U.S. nationalsRussiaās Foreign Ministry has announced sanctions on 61 U_S_ nationals, a move it says is āin response to the ever-expanding U_S_ sanctions against Russian political and public figures, as well as representatives of domestic business.ā.
Pentagon says more high-tech weapons going to Ukraine
Read full article: Pentagon says more high-tech weapons going to UkraineDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin says nearly 50 defense leaders from around the world met Monday and agreed to send more advanced weapons to Ukraine, including a Harpoon missile launcher and missiles to protect its coast.
Australia, UK, US alliance to develop hypersonic missiles
Read full article: Australia, UK, US alliance to develop hypersonic missilesThe United States, United Kingdom and Australia have announced that they will work together via the recently created security alliance known as AUKUS to develop hypersonic missiles.
Austin says Putin now has full range of options in Ukraine
Read full article: Austin says Putin now has full range of options in UkraineU.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says Russia has arrayed enough military forces along Ukraine's borders to provide Moscow with a complete range of options, including moves short of a full-scale invasion.
Ethics office says Reps. Newman, Lamborn may have broken law
Read full article: Ethics office says Reps. Newman, Lamborn may have broken lawA congressional ethics watchdog has concluded that U.S. Reps. Marie Newman of Illinois and Doug Lamborn of Colorado may have violated federal law, prompting reviews from the House Ethics Committee.
Austin orders new review of deadly 2019 airstrike in Syria
Read full article: Austin orders new review of deadly 2019 airstrike in SyriaDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a full review of a U.S. airstrike in Syria in 2019 that killed dozens, including women and children, and was not properly reported up the chain of command.
Milley defends calls to Chinese at end of Trump presidency
Read full article: Milley defends calls to Chinese at end of Trump presidencyThe top U.S. military officer has told Congress he knew former President Donald Trump wasnāt planning to attack China and it was his job to reassure the Chinese of this in the phone calls that have triggered outrage from some lawmakers.
US general: Afghan collapse rooted in 2020 deal with Taliban
Read full article: US general: Afghan collapse rooted in 2020 deal with TalibanSenior Pentagon officials say the collapse of the Afghan government and its security forces in August could be traced to a 2020 U.S. agreement with the Taliban that promised a complete U.S. troop withdrawal.
WATCH LIVE: Pentagon leaders face Congress on Afghan pullout decision
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Pentagon leaders face Congress on Afghan pullout decisionDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley are scheduled to appear before the House Armed Services Committee to review the war in Afghanistan.
Milley: US should explore more military talks with Russia
Read full article: Milley: US should explore more military talks with RussiaThe top U.S. military officer says America should explore ways to expand its military contacts with the Russians, potentially to include allowing observers from each country to watch the otherās combat exercises.
Milley: US should explore more military talks with Russia
Read full article: Milley: US should explore more military talks with RussiaThe top U.S. military officer says America should explore ways to expand its military contacts with the Russians, potentially to include allowing observers from each country to watch the otherās combat exercises.
After Afghanistan pullout, US seeks NATO basing, intel pacts
Read full article: After Afghanistan pullout, US seeks NATO basing, intel pactsThe top U.S. military officer is in Greece meeting with NATO counterparts this weekend, and Army Gen. Mark Milley is hoping to forge more basing, intelligence-sharing and other agreements to prevent terrorist groups from regrouping in Afghanistan, and threatening America and the region.
Milley: Calls to China were 'perfectly' within scope of job
Read full article: Milley: Calls to China were 'perfectly' within scope of jobThe top U.S. military officer says calls he made to his Chinese counterpart in the final stormy months of Donald Trump's presidency were āperfectly within the duties and responsibilitiesā of his job.
Milley defends calls to Chinese as effort to avoid conflict
Read full article: Milley defends calls to Chinese as effort to avoid conflictThe top U.S. military officer is defending his phone calls to his Chinese counterpart during the final months of Donald Trump's presidency as an effort to avoid misunderstandings and conflict.
Book: Top US officer feared Trump could order China strike
Read full article: Book: Top US officer feared Trump could order China strikeFearful of Donald Trumpās actions in his final weeks as president, the United Statesā top military officer twice called his Chinese counterpart to assure him that the two nations would not suddenly go to war.
Milley: US coordination with Taliban on strikes 'possible'
Read full article: Milley: US coordination with Taliban on strikes 'possible'The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, says itās āpossibleā the U.S. will coordinate with the Taliban on any future counterterrorism strikes in Afghanistan against Islamic State militants or others.
The Latest: US may have to coordinate with Taliban on IS
Read full article: The Latest: US may have to coordinate with Taliban on ISArmy Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says itās āpossibleā the U.S. will have to coordinate with the Taliban on any future counterterrorism strikes in Afghanistan against Islamic State militants or others.
Milley: US coordination with Taliban on strikes 'possible'
Read full article: Milley: US coordination with Taliban on strikes 'possible'Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, say itās āpossibleā the U.S. will coordinate with the Taliban on any future counterterrorism strikes in Afghanistan against Islamic State militants or others.
Trump opines on coup while rejecting fears about his actions
Read full article: Trump opines on coup while rejecting fears about his actionsFormer President Donald Trump is insisting he's ānot into coupsā after a new book revealed the countryās top military leader feared Trump might try to stage one after losing the 2020 election.
As troops leave, US to keep airstrike option in Afghanistan
Read full article: As troops leave, US to keep airstrike option in AfghanistanU.S. officials say the U.S. military will remain involved in the Afghanistan war into September, keeping the option of launching airstrikes against the Taliban to defend Afghan forces.
Pentagon leaders testily defend efforts on racism, extremism
Read full article: Pentagon leaders testily defend efforts on racism, extremismTop Pentagon leaders are defending the militaryās approach to addressing racism and extremism and pushing back against accusations by Republican lawmakers that the effort is creating division and hurting morale.
Austin: Al-Qaida could regroup in Afghanistan in 2 years
Read full article: Austin: Al-Qaida could regroup in Afghanistan in 2 yearsTop Pentagon leaders say there is a āmediumā chance that extremist groups will present a threat to the U.S. homeland within two years of the American military departure.
Military leaders wary of changes in sexual assault policy
Read full article: Military leaders wary of changes in sexual assault policyThe Associated Press has learned that leaders of the military services have expressed reservations to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about removing sexual assault cases from the chain of command.
US envoy: Fear of Taliban conquering Kabul are overblown
Read full article: US envoy: Fear of Taliban conquering Kabul are overblownWashingtonās special envoy to Afghanistan says predictions that the Taliban will quickly overrun Afghan government forces and conquer Kabul once U.S. and coalition forces have fully withdrawn are unduly pessimistic.
US sends more warplanes to protect pullout from Afghanistan
Read full article: US sends more warplanes to protect pullout from AfghanistanTop Pentagon officials say the U.S. military has deployed a dozen additional warplanes to bolster protection of American and coalition troops making a final withdrawal from Afghanistan as Taliban insurgents step up pressure on Afghan government forces.
Top general drops opposition to change in sex assault policy
Read full article: Top general drops opposition to change in sex assault policyThe nationās top general says he is now open to considering a proposal to take decisions on sexual assault prosecution out of the hands of military commanders.
US general: Afghan forces could face 'bad possible outcomes'
Read full article: US general: Afghan forces could face 'bad possible outcomes'The top U.S. military officer says Afghan government forces face an uncertain future and the potential for ābad possible outcomesā on the battlefield against Taliban insurgents as the withdrawal of American and coalition troops accelerates.
US expresses concern about rising Russian-Ukrainian tensions
Read full article: US expresses concern about rising Russian-Ukrainian tensionsPentagon spokesman John Kirby listens to a question during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)WASHINGTON ā The Biden administration on Wednesday expressed concern about what it called escalations of Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russian-backed separatists since 2014. The Ukrainian military said the four were killed in a mortar attack it blamed on Russian troops. Milley's office announced his calls to his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts but provided no details. Kirby said it was safe to assume that Milley raised U.S. concerns about escalating tensions and cease-fire violations.
Pentagon rethinking how to array forces to focus on China
Read full article: Pentagon rethinking how to array forces to focus on ChinaThe Biden administration faces a conundrum as it rethinks the positioning of military forces around the world: How to focus more on China and Russia without retreating from longstanding Mideast threats and to make this shift with potentially leaner Pentagon budgets. Like the Trump administration, Biden's national security team views China, not militant extremists like al-Qaida or the Islamic State group, as the No. Commanders see value in deploying forces in smaller groups on less predictable cycles to keep China off balance. The Trump administration went further by formally declaring that China and Russia, not global terrorism, were the top threats to U.S. national security. But he said U.S. commanders elsewhere in the world told him the China focus was costing them needed resources.
Gen. Milley key to military continuity as Biden takes office
Read full article: Gen. Milley key to military continuity as Biden takes officePresident-elect Joe Biden will inherit Milley as his senior military adviser, and although Biden could replace him, he likely won't. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)WASHINGTON ā In taking charge of a Pentagon battered by leadership churn, the Biden administration will look to one holdover as a source of military continuity: Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. President-elect Joe Biden will inherit Milley as his senior military adviser, and although Biden could replace Milley, he likely won't. It appears unlikely that Austin, Biden's defense secretary nominee, will win Senate confirmation by Inauguration Day, Wednesday. Anticipating that bump, Biden has persuaded a Trump administration official, Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist, to stay on temporarily as acting secretary.