Pete Hegseth
Secretary of War
8 articlesPower
Pentagon Found in Violation of Press Access Order a Second Time; D.C. Circuit Partially Stays Injunction
Judge Paul Friedman found the Pentagon had violated his March 20 order on press access a second time, ruling on April 9 that a revised escort and workspace policy achieved the same unconstitutional result through different language. The government appealed and the D.C. Circuit issued a partial stay on April 27, allowing the escort requirement to remain in place pending appeal.
Science
162 Declassified UAP Files Released at war.gov — None Confirm Extraterrestrial Origin
The Department of War opened the PURSUE portal on May 8, publishing 162 files from five federal agencies spanning 1945 to 2026. Every case is labeled unresolved. The release is the largest single public disclosure of UAP records in U.S. history — and contains no determination that any observed phenomenon was extraterrestrial.
Power
Navy Secretary John Phelan Out 'Effective Immediately' After 13 Months; Hung Cao Becomes Acting SECNAV
The Pentagon announced Wednesday that Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is leaving the Trump administration effective immediately. Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao steps in as Acting Secretary. No reason was given for the abrupt exit, the first departure of a service secretary in Trump's second term.
Power
Pentagon Inspector General Bars 'Department of War' Title From Court Filings, Subpoenas, and Criminal Investigations
An April 1 memo from the DoD Office of Inspector General lists the places where the Trump-ordered 'Department of War' rebrand does not apply. They are the places where the name carries legal weight.
World
Operation Southern Spear Has Killed at Least 168 People. One Drug Seizure Has Been Confirmed.
Since September 2025, the US military has destroyed 49 alleged drug boats in the Pacific and Caribbean, killing at least 168 people. SOUTHCOM calls them "Designated Terrorist Organizations." Only one strike has produced a confirmed drug seizure. Congress has not authorized the campaign.
World
Trump Attacks NATO After Rutte Meeting: 'They Won't Be There If We Need Them Again'
President Trump posted a blistering attack on NATO hours after meeting Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, demanding allies commit naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz within days and signaling the administration may relocate US bases away from uncooperative members.
Power
Federal judge finds Pentagon violated his March 20 order restoring press access
Judge Paul Friedman ruled April 9 that the Defense Department's replacement credential policy -- which requires escorts for all reporters and relocates the press corps to a basement library in a separate building -- was an attempt to reinstate an unlawful policy under the guise of taking 'new' action.
Power
Hegseth Orders Military Bases to Presume Approval When Troops Request to Carry Personal Firearms
A memo signed April 2 flips the default on personal weapons across all U.S. military installations, shifting the burden from service members proving need to commanders justifying denial.