Tag Archives: Yemen

Associated Press: Defense Secretary Hegseth, bedeviled by leaks, orders more restrictions on press at Pentagon

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Bedeviled by leaks to the media during his short tenure, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a series of restrictions on the press late Friday that include banning reporters from entering wide swaths of the Pentagon without a government escort — areas where the press has had access in past administrations as it covers the activities of the world’s most powerful military.

Newly restricted areas include his office and those of his top aides and all of the different locations across the mammoth building where the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Space Force maintain press offices.

The media will also be barred from offices of the Pentagon’s senior military leadership, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, without Hegseth’s approval and an escort from his aides. The staff of the Joint Chiefs has traditionally maintained a good relationship with the press.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away

Defense Secretary Hegseth, bedeviled by leaks, orders more restrictions on press at Pentagon
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered further restrictions on how the press operates at the Pentagon.

https://apnews.com/article/military-pentagon-hegseth-press-access-ff9ed0431848cae8816108a8b19c640f

Newsweek: Why do MAGA Republicans hate Europe?

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In May 1988, Republican President Ronald Reagan spoke from the Oval Office in an address not targeted at the American people, but the citizens of Western Europe. The president was planning a trip to meet with Soviet Union General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev and wanted to make his commitment to Europe clear.

Staring directly at the camera, Reagan said: “Shared [moral] standards and beliefs tie us to Europe today. They are the essence of the community of free nations to which we belong.”

Thirty years later, in July 2018, while sitting for an interview with CBS at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, Republican President Donald Trump was asked to name America’s top global foe. “Well, I think we have a lot of foes,” Trump said. “I think the European Union is a foe, what they do to us in trade. Now you wouldn’t think of the European Union, but they’re a foe.”

Why do MAGA Republicans hate Europe?
The Trump administration’s stance on Europe has grabbed headlines, but the Republican Party’s icy posture toward internationalism goes back decades.

https://www.newsweek.com/maga-republicans-donald-trump-jd-vance-europe-2071814

NBC News: Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar

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In a “Meet the Press” interview, Trump’s former vice president was careful to balance praise of Trump with specific disapproval in certain areas.

On tariffs:

Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized President Donald Trump’s approach to tariffs, as well as several foreign policy initiatives, in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” airing Sunday.

“The initial reciprocal tariffs that he unveiled would be the largest peacetime tax hike on the American people in the history of this country,” Pence told moderator Kristen Welker, referring to the sweeping tariffs Trump imposed on the United States’ largest trading partners in early April.

Days later, the president paused most of the tariffs, a move that Pence on Friday said he was “glad” to see.

On the 747-800 from Qatar:

Pence also spoke about Trump’s approach to foreign policy in this term. He told Welker it’s “a bad idea” for the president to accept a plane as a gift from the Qatari royal family, amid reports that Trump plans to do so, and was critical of Trump’s speech in Saudi Arabia.

The former vice president also questioned the Trump administration’s approach to Iran, as top U.S. officials seek to reach a deal with Iran over the nation’s possession of uranium and nuclear technology.

Pence said he is worried about reports that Iran is seeking to maintain a civilian nuclear program, telling Welker the U.S. “should make it clear in negotiations with Iran that their current nuclear program must be either dismantled or destroyed.”

On Jan. 6:

Pence said Trump was wrong to issue a blanket pardon of people who faced charges for participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

“I will always believe by God’s grace I did my duty that day to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and see to the peaceful transfer of power,” Pence said, later drawing a distinction between some Jan. 6 defendants who “just walked through an open door, meant no harm, did no harm,” and those charged with more serious crimes.

“But individuals who broke into the Capitol, who assaulted police officers, I said that day and I believe to this moment should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Pence said.

Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar
In a “Meet the Press” interview, Trump’s former vice president was careful to balance praise of Trump with specific disapproval in certain areas.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/mike-pence-criticizes-trump-tariffs-key-foreign-policy-issues-watches-rcna206755

Knewz: The One Reason ‘Pentagon Princess’ Pete Hegseth Still Has a Job

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According to The Nation, Hegseth still has a job because of one man – President Trump.

The site explained how Hegseth wasn’t picked for the role of Defense Secretary due to any skills or experience, but because he shares a similar outlook as Trump on the military.

Just like the president, Hegseth believes the military has been compromised by the left-wing.

In late April, Hegseth put an end to a military program he described as “another woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative.”

He wrote on X: “This morning, I proudly ENDED the ‘Women, Peace & Security’ (WPS) program inside the @DeptofDefense. WPS is yet another woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative that overburdens our commanders and troops — distracting from our core task: WAR-FIGHTING.

“WPS is a UNITED NATIONS program pushed by feminists and left-wing activists. Politicians fawn over it; troops HATE it. DoD will hereby executive the minimum of WPS required by statute and fight to end the program for our next budget. GOOD RIDDANCE WPS!”

Following the signal scandal, Mike Waltz was effectively removed from his position as National Security Advisor (NSA) by President Trump – but Hegseth wasn’t stripped of his role.

While the world awaits more firings due to the scandal, Hegseth isn’t expected to be let go due to his friendship with the current president.

It’s all about cronies, not competence!

The One Reason ‘Pentagon Princess’ Pete Hegseth Still Has a Job
“Pentagon Princess” Pete Hegseth had a rough few weeks making major mistakes and now, the calls for him to be fired haven’t stopped.

https://knewz.com/the-one-reason-pentagon-princess-pete-hegseth-still-has-a-job

CBS News: Left-wing streamer Hasan Piker says he was detained, asked “Do you like Donald Trump?” at Chicago O’Hare

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Popular Twitch streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker, who has more than 2 million followers on the live-streaming platform, said he was detained and questioned by federal authorities at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for more than two hours after arriving in the U.S. on an international flight.

This happened as Piker, 33, was headed to speak at the University of Chicago on Sunday after he returned from a family vacation in Paris. Piker, a prominent Turkish American live streamer who has openly spoken out against the war in Gaza, told the Institute of Politics crowd at UChicago that he believes he was targeted at O’Hare for his criticism of the Trump administration.

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“They took me to the back room, into a detention center. An agent came out and took me into the interrogation room … and they started asking me about crazy [expletive], like, ‘Do you like Donald Trump?'” he said.

The American-born Twitch streamer and left-wing political commentator recounted at length to his millions of followers his two-hour encounter with federal agents after he arrived in Chicago from Paris. He claims he was asked not only about the president, but he was also questioned about his opinions on Israel, Hamas and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“Everything I’ve done is fully protected under the First Amendment, OK?” Piker said. “And none of these questions are actually valid questions to ask.”

Piker said this applies no matter what one’s political beliefs are.

“It’s illegal for them to even ask me those questions, like, they can’t deny me entry into my own country,” Piker said. “It’s like, even if I was like, ‘I love Hamas,’ they can’t do that. Like, what do you mean?”

And this bullshit from Homeland Security:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin acknowledged that Piker was detained, but took issue with his account of what happened.

McLaughlin said: “This is nothing but lying for likes. Claims that his political beliefs triggered the inspection are baseless. Our officers are following the law, not agendas.”

Under King Donald, it’s all about agendas — Trump’s agendas.

Left-wing streamer Hasan Piker says he was detained, asked “Do you like Donald Trump?” at Chicago O’Hare
Hasan Piker said he was detained and questioned by federal authorities at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport following a trip to Paris.

https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/streamer-left-wing-commentator-hasan-piker-detained-ohare

The Week US: A ‘meltdown’ at Hegseth’s Pentagon

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was fighting to hold on to his Cabinet position this week after reports that he used a second Signal chat—which included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer— last month to discuss detailed plans for a U.S. military strike on rebel camps in Yemen. The New York Times reported that Hegseth, a former Fox News host, had created chaos “unmatched in the recent history” of the Pentagon, and that after he fired three top aides last week and accused them of leaking to the press, his circle of advisers “is in shambles.” A fourth recently departed aide, former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot, said in a Politico column that the Defense Department is “in a full-blown meltdown” under Hegseth’s leadership and that “it’s hard to see” him retaining his post. NPR reported that the Trump administration has begun a search for Hegseth’s replacement.

A ‘meltdown’ at Hegseth’s Pentagon
The Defense Secretary is fighting to keep his job amid leaked Signal chats and staff turmoil

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/a-meltdown-at-hegseth-s-pentagon/ar-AA1DNG9m

Reuters: US military says it will limit disclosing details on strikes in Yemen

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The U.S. military said on Sunday it will not reveal specific details about its military strikes in Yemen, citing what it called the need “to preserve operational security” while also saying the strikes had “lethal effects” on Houthi rebels.

Republican President Donald Trump ordered the intensification of U.S. strikes on Yemen last month, with his administration saying it will continue assaulting Iran-backed Houthi rebels until they stop attacking Red Sea shipping.

Recent U.S. strikes have killed dozens, including 74 at an oil terminal in mid-April in what was the deadliest strike in Yemen under Trump so far, according to the Houthi-run health ministry.

Rights advocates have raised concerns about civilian killings and three Democratic senators, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, wrote to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Thursday demanding accounting for loss of civilian lives. Hegseth has also come under fire for using the unclassified messaging system Signal to discuss Yemen attack plans.

So now we’ll have a secret war blissfully unaware of the civilian casualties we are causing?

I can’t wait to see King Donald and Hegseth in the dock at the International Criminal Court alongside Benjamin Netanyahu.

US military says it will limit disclosing details on strikes in Yemen
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. military said on Sunday it will not reveal specific details about its military strikes in Yemen, citing what it called the need “to preserve operational security” while also saying the strikes had “lethal effects” on Houthi rebels. Republican President Donald Trump ordered the intensification of U.S. strikes on Yemen last month, with his

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-military-says-it-will-limit-disclosing-details-on-strikes-in-yemen/ar-AA1DJ7Qf

Mediaite: Pete Hegseth Reportedly Set Up Signal on Several Pentagon Computers to Circumvent Restrictions

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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly had the messaging app Signal set up on several Pentagon office computers in an effort to get around a ban on personal phones.

According to the Washington Post, which cited three unnamed sources “familiar with the matter,” Hegseth directed the installation of Signal on his computer following “a discussion among Hegseth and his aides about how they could circumvent the lack of cellphone service in much of the Pentagon,” as well as a personal phone ban in certain areas, to “more quickly coordinate with the White House and other top Trump officials using the encrypted app.”

A spokesman for Hegseth denied the claims, telling the Washington Post that the secretary of defense had “never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer.”

Two unnamed sources also told the Washington Post that Hegseth also had Signal installed on a second office computer.

The New York Times also spoke to several unnamed sources who made the same claims about Hegseth’s use of Signal in the Pentagon.

“Hegseth had the consumer messaging app Signal set up on a computer in his office at the Pentagon so that he could send and receive instant messages in a space where personal cellphones are not permitted,” reported the Times, which added that the secretary of defense “has two computers in his office, one for personal use and one that is government-issued.”

A source also told the Times that Hegseth “had cables installed in early March so that he could connect a private computer to Signal.”

Pete Hegseth Reportedly Set Up Signal on Several Pentagon Computers to Circumvent Restrictions
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly had Signal set up on several Pentagon office computers in an effort to get around a ban on personal phones.
Pete Hegseth Reportedly Set Up Signal on Several Pentagon Computers to Circumvent Restrictions

Inquirer: US defense secretary’s chief of staff to leave his job: report

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United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff will leave his job, Politico reported Thursday, in the latest shakeup to hit the upper echelons of the Pentagon’s leadership.

Joe Kasper had been expected to move to a different post at the Pentagon, but now intends to return to working on government relations and consulting, Politico said, citing an interview with him.

…

His departure is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the Pentagon, including three top officials who were removed last week amid an investigation into leaks after they reportedly clashed with Kasper.

Former senior advisors Darin Selnick, Dan Caldwell and Colin Carroll hit back on Sunday, saying Pentagon officials had “slandered our character with baseless attacks.”

“We still have not been told what exactly we were investigated for, if there is still an active investigation, or if there was even a real investigation of ‘leaks’ to begin with,” they said in a joint statement posted on social media.

Hegseth’s former Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot also took aim at him in a scathing opinion piece on Sunday that described “a month of total chaos at the Pentagon.”

Hegseth & his children must learn to play nicely in their sandboxes.

US defense secretary’s chief of staff to leave his job: report
United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff will leave his job, Politico reported Thursday, in the latest shakeup to hit the upper echelons of the Pentagon’s leadership. Joe Kasper had been expected to move to a different post at the Pentagon, but now intends to return to working on government relations and consulting, Politico said, citing an interview with him. Kasper said he will also continue advising the Pentagon as a…

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/us-defense-secretary-s-chief-of-staff-to-leave-his-job-report/ar-AA1DzbCK

Politico: Pentagon to resume medical care for transgender troops

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The move is another setback for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has made culture war issues a major part of his role.

The Pentagon will resume gender-affirming care for transgender service members, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO, an embarrassing setback to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s efforts to restrict their participation.

The memo says the Defense Department is returning to the Biden-era medical policy for transgender service members due to a court order that struck down Hegseth’s restrictions as unconstitutional. The administration is appealing the move, but a federal appeals court in California denied the department’s effort to halt the policy while its challenge is pending.

Current score is Wokes 1, Bigots 0!

Pentagon to resume medical care for transgender troops
The move is another setback for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has made culture war issues a major part of his role.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/24/transgender-troops-military-care-00306827