Tag Archives: Pentagon

ABC: Pentagon pulling 2,000 National Guard from ICE duty in LA

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The U.S. military presence in Los Angeles is being reduced by almost half as the Pentagon confirms that 2,000 California National Guard members are being withdrawn from the mission to protect federal buildings and personnel that followed protests of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Los Angeles.

“Thanks to our troops who stepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding. As such, the Secretary has ordered the release of 2,000 California National Guardsmen (79th [Infantry Brigade Combat Team]) from the federal protection mission,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement provided to ABC News.

Nearly 4,700 personnel had been provided to that mission with 700 of them being active-duty Marines and the remaining 4,000 coming from the California National Guard.

The initial deployment of 2,000 California National Guard members to Los Angeles was announced on June 7.

At the time, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on social media that he was prepared to send active-duty Marines “if violence continues.” Two days later, U.S. Northern Command announced that 700 Marines from Twentynine Palms in California were being deployed to Los Angeles.

An additional 2,000 National Guard members were later mobilized for the mission in Los Angeles.

Some of the Guard members later received specific training to provide perimeter security during ICE operations and were not carrying out law enforcement duties. However, they were authorized to temporarily detain individuals if needed and then quickly turn them over to law enforcement personnel.

LOL! Things were peaceful until King Donald butted in unnecessarily with the military.

Pentagon pulling 2,000 National Guard deployed to LA amid ICE protests
Pentagon confirms that 2,000 California National Guard members are being withdrawn from the mission to protect federal buildings and personnel that followed ICE protests.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pentagon-pulling-half-guard-members-deployed-la-support/story?id=123784553

Miami Herald: Here’s Hegseth’s Response to ‘Our Boys’ Fact Check

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When asked about the fact check and his language, Hegseth responded, “I say our boys and bombers as a common phrase, I’ll keep saying things like that, whether they’re men or women. Very proud of that female pilot, just like I’m very proud of those male pilots and I don’t care if it’s a male or a female in that cockpit and the American people don’t care. But it’s the obsession with race and gender in this department that’s changed priorities and we don’t do that anymore. We don’t play your little games.”

So says the washed out O-3 turned Fox talk show host who can never give a straight answer to a question.

Here’s Hegseth’s Response to ‘Our Boys’ Fact Check
More for You

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/here-s-hegseth-s-response-to-our-boys-fact-check/ss-AA1HI6k7

Mirror: US territory fears military pawn status after decoy role in Iranian attack

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Guam’s senator and former Guam delegate have shared their fears of the federal government violating Guam’s right to transparency following the US strikes on Iran

Concerns are rising among Guam supporters who suspect the island has become a chess piece for the U.S. military, following Guam’s involvement in a ploy aimed at Iranian nuclear targets. The Pentagon disclosed that B-2 bombers were sent to Guam to distract from classified flights en route to Iran over the Atlantic Ocean.

Guam Senator Chris Barnett has voiced fears about the island’s participation in this strategic ruse, suggesting potential adverse implications both regionally and globally.

“Dragging Guam into the U.S. military’s deception tactics—without consultation, transparency, or regard for the people of Guam and those who serve in uniform—is ‘unacceptable,'” Barnett said.

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While Barnett affirmed the “United States’ right to defend itself and protect its interests,” he criticized Guam’s role in Operation Midnight Hammer, stating it was “not about defense; it was about deception.”

Barnett highlighted that the people of Guam have long served the nation “honourably for generations.” He said: “We should not be used without consent or even acknowledgment.”

He criticized the exploitation of Guam as a strategic decoy, saying it “sends the wrong message to our allies, that Guam is expendable; to our adversaries, that we are divided; and to our own people, that we are invisible.” He proclaimed: “Guam deserves better.”

Guam Senator blasts Pentagon for ‘unacceptable’ decoy plan in Iranian strike
Guam’s senator and former Guam delegate have shared their fears of the federal government violating Guam’s right to transparency following the US strikes on Iran

https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/territory-fears-military-pawn-status-1236537

MSNBC: Pete Hegseth’s unhinged press conference shows how the Trump administration views the media’s job

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was in full crybully mode during a Thursday news conference that, according to a Truth Social post from President Donald Trump, was intended “to fight for the Dignity of our Great American Pilots” and provide “interesting and irrefutable” evidence of the “LEGENDARY” success of last week’s unilateral U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

But Hegseth didn’t provide definitive evidence of the actual extent of the damage inflicted on those facilities by 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs — or clarity on whether Iran pre-emptively moved its stash of weapons-grade uranium. Instead, the secretary complained that certain media outlets failed to act as unquestioning cheerleaders of a stunning act of aggression against a longtime U.S. adversary — an attack that the president had immediately declared an unequivocal success.

The 42-minute press conference was a useful distillation of the Trump administration’s posture vis-à-vis news coverage: playing the pure-as-driven-snow victim while lashing out in thuggish fashion.

Hegseth insisted the attack was successful in “decimating — choose your word — obliterating, destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities.” He blasted the press for reporting on a leaked preliminary intelligence assessment by the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency, which asserted that the U.S. attack may have only set back Iran’s nuclear program by months.

Pete Hegseth’s unhinged press conference shows how the Trump administration views the media’s job
Hegseth threw a tantrum and Trump threatened lawsuits — because news outlets reported on a government intelligence report on Iran’s nuclear sites.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pete-hegseth-s-unhinged-press-conference-shows-how-the-trump-administration-views-the-media-s-job/ar-AA1HCXQe

Variety: CNN, New York Times Reject Trump’s Demands to Retract ‘False’ and ‘Unpatriotic’ Stories About Iran Bombing Raids: ‘No Apology Will Be Forthcoming’

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President Trump threatened to sue CNN and the New York Times over their reports about his government’s early assessment that U.S. bombing raids on Iran had set the regime’s nuclear program back by a few months – contrary to Trump’s claim that Iran’s capabilities were “totally obliterated.”

The bombings were a flop, and crybaby King Donald is upset that the truth is getting out.

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/trump-threatens-lawsuit-cnn-nytimes-retract-iran-bombing-stories-1236442639

Alternet: ‘It’s coming’: Trump’s new warning to reporters escalates fears in the press

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President Donald Trump, in an interview on Fox News aired Sunday, warned of efforts to hold reporters and Democratic figures accountable for allegedly leaking classified intelligence.

When host Maria Bartiromo pointed to Trump’s recent social media posts critizing media outlets that reported on an intelligence assessment that Iran’s nuclear program was not “obliterated” in recent U.S. strikes, Trump said, “They should be prosecuted.”

“Who specifically?” the anchor asked.

Trump outlined an assertive plan: “We can find out. You go up and tell the reporter, ‘national security, who gave it?’ You have to do that. And I suspect we’ll be doing things like that.”

The president’s remarks generated backlash on social media, with journalists and attorneys raising concerns over his apparent plan to target reporters for their stories.

The Pentagon Papers case established the ruling precedents over 50 years ago. Trump is full of shit.

‘It’s coming’: Trump’s new warning to reporters escalates fears in the press

https://www.alternet.org/trump-reporters-leaks-iran

Alternet: Military officer slams ‘racially motivated’ policy that enables Army to kick out Black men

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The U.S. Army is now rolling out a new policy that disproportionately impacts Black soldiers, and one officer is questioning the motivations behind the announcement.

Military.com reported Friday that the Army is now planning to prohibit shaving waivers, requiring all soldiers to adhere to strict new grooming standards. Previously, soldiers who suffered from the skin condition pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were allowed to ask for a waiver to bypass requirements to stay clean-shaven, as PFB patients can often have painful bumps and scarring from the use of a razor.

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Under the new policy, which is slated to take effect in the coming weeks, Soldiers who request shaving waivers for more than 12 months over a two-year period could be kicked out of the Army.

According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, up to 60% of Black men suffer from PFB. And Military.com reported that Black Americans make up roughly one in four new Army recruits over the past several years even though they make up just 14% of the U.S. population.

“Of course, this is racially motivated,” an unnamed senior noncommissioned officer told Military.com anonymously out of fear of retaliation. “There’s no tactical reason; you can look professional with facial hair.”

Hegseth & Trump are both racist bigots — two of a kind — so this comes as no surprise.

Military officer slams ‘racially motivated’ policy that enables Army to kick out Black men

https://www.alternet.org/military-trump-policy

The 19th News: Thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans were supposed to get pardons. A year later, only four have succeeded.

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President Biden pledged to use his clemency powers to right ‘an historic wrong.’ Why did it fall so short of its promise?

The email came while James Harter was on vacation with his husband in Quebec City, Canada. He was checking his computer in their RV when he read the no-nonsense subject line: Certificate of Pardon.

He had no idea just how uncommon that email was ….

Fast forward one year:

Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have been erased under the new administration’s zeal to refocus the military on lethality. Thousands of transgender service members are being discharged and banned from serving. And the Pentagon is considering renaming ships, including the USNS Harvey Milk, named for the slain gay rights activist and veteran who was discharged over his sexuality, among other ships that don’t fit a “warrior” ethos. 

While The War Horse had previously reported on the low number of pardon applications for LGBTQ+ veterans, records disclosed last month by the Office of the U.S. Pardon Attorney are the first to reveal just how few have been granted: two from the Navy, one from the Air Force, and one from the Army.

What a difference a year makes, when bigots like Hegseth & Trump are now running the show.

Thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans were supposed to get pardons. A year later, only four have succeeded.
Thousands of veterans separated from the military due their sexuality qualified for pardons under Biden, only four got one.
Leah Rosenbaum, The War Horse Archives
The 19th is an independent, nonprofit newsroom reporting at the intersection of gender, politics and policy.

https://19thnews.org/author/leah-rosenbaum-the-war-horse

Independent: Pete Hegseth holding Pentagon press conference to celebrate ‘very upset’ B-2 pilots involved in Iran raid

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President Donald Trump says defense secretary will speak up ‘for the dignity of our great American pilots’ after feud with media over extent of bomb damage continues

“Secretary of Defense (War!) Pete Hegseth, together with Military Representatives, will be holding a Major News Conference tomorrow morning at 8 A.M. EST at The Pentagon, in order to fight for the Dignity of our Great American Pilots,” the president wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday evening.

“These Patriots were very upset! After 36 hours of dangerously flying through Enemy Territory, they landed, they knew the Success was LEGENDARY, and then, two days later, they started reading Fake News by CNN and The Failing New York Times. They felt terribly!

“Fortunately for them and, as usual, solely for the purpose of demeaning PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, the Fake News (Times and CNN) lied and totally misrepresented the Facts, none of which they had (because it was too soon, there were no Facts out there yet!). The News Conference will prove both interesting and irrefutable. Enjoy!”

That was the hype from Hegseth & his cronies. The mission really was a dud, one big ugly wasted effort, as multiple leaks have now confirmed.

Condolences to the pilots, perhaps next time you’ll have some competent leadership, or perhaps not …

Pete Hegseth holding Pentagon press conference to celebrate ‘very upset’ B-2 pilots
President Donald Trump says defense secretary will speak up ‘for the dignity of our great American pilots’ after feud with media over extent of bomb damage continues

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/pete-hegseth-press-conference-trump-iran-b2777289.html

Guardian: Trump and Hegseth admit doubts about level of damage to Iranian nuclear sites

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President calls intelligence ‘inconclusive’, while defence secretary describes harm to facilities as ‘moderate to severe’

Donald Trump and the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, have admitted to some doubt over the scale of the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear sites by the US bombing at the weekend, after a leaked Pentagon assessment said the Iranian programme had been set back by only a few months.

“The intelligence was very inconclusive,” Trump told journalists at a Nato summit in The Hague, introducing an element of uncertainty for the first time after several days of emphatic declarations that the destruction had been total.

“The intelligence says we don’t know. It could’ve been very severe. That’s what the intelligence suggests.”

The president then appeared to revert to his claim that “it was very severe. There was obliteration”. Later in the day, he claimed that was the conclusion from “collected intelligence”, and that the Iranian programme had been set back “decades”.

Trump also likened the US use of massive bunker-buster bombs on the Fordow and Natanz uranium enrichment sites to the impact of the US nuclear weapons dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the second world war, using the comparison specifically in reference to their impact in ending a conflict.

Over the course of the day, Trump’s claims became more far-reaching, even rejecting reports from the nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), that Iran’s 400kg stock of 60% enriched uranium could no longer be accounted for, and appeared to have been moved.

Despite all the huffing and puffing, the bombings were pretty much a flop.

Trump and Hegseth admit doubts about level of damage to Iranian nuclear sites
President calls intelligence ‘inconclusive’ while defence secretary describes harm to facilities as ‘moderate to severe’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/25/trump-and-hegseth-admit-doubts-over-irans-nuclear-sites-damage-by-us-strikes