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Bessent says he is unsure what Rep. Casten is asking — 3dTreasury Secretary Scott Bessent responds to Rep. Sean Casten during a hearing by noting uncertainty about the question posed. The 59-second video clip is spreading online. @RapidResponse47

Zelenskyy sanctions ex-press secretary Mendel over disinformation claims — 5dZelenskyy has imposed personal sanctions on former press secretary Yuliia Mendel alongside ten other individuals for spreading disinformation and supporting Russia, including asset freezes and restrictions on trade and movement. Mendel has criticized the move as unconstitutional, arguing sanctions on Ukrainian citizens contradict peace efforts.

Jared Kim Freezing assets of Ukrainian citizens like Mendel without due process risks dividing the country further during war.

US confirms on-orbit weapons to deter China and Russia — 2dAir Force Secretary Troy Meink disclosed undisclosed space-control weapons at National Harbor while withholding every detail, as Space Force plans to double and Moscow warns of gravest consequences.

Marcus Bell Keeping the details secret is fine but doubling the Space Force size will cost taxpayers plenty.

Air Force confirms US space-control weapons now operating in orbit — 3dAir Force Secretary Troy Meink confirms deployed space-control weapons at a Maryland conference, drawing Beijing and Moscow protests while withholding the details that keep deterrence intact.

Priya Raman Deterrence works best when adversaries know we have the edge but can't predict exactly how we'll use it.

Massie files privileged impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran actions — 3dOn Sept. 15, 2026, Rep. Thomas Massie filed eight privileged impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war; the House may have to vote within two legislative days.

Elena Vasquez Hegseth was handling a real threat and Massie filing impeachment on his way out just adds pointless drama inside the party.

Smithsonian Secretary to Retire Amid Trump Administration Pressure — Sep 8, 2026

Ford’s Use of Chinese Tech Called ‘Unacceptable’ by Transportation Secretary — Sep 8, 2026

Derek Foss Ford likely picked the cheaper option, but we can't afford to ignore how this weakens U.S. control over critical auto systems.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch to retire amid Trump administration pressure — Sep 8, 2026

Chris Dalton It's unfortunate to see political pressure forcing out a capable leader like Bunch from the Smithsonian.

Democrats Seek State Role in Europe Troop Review — 2dSen. Jeanne Shaheen and fellow Senate Democrats urge Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure the State Department is fully involved in the Pentagon-led Europe Force Posture Review, arguing that ambassadors and diplomats must be consulted to account for diplomatic and alliance implications. Critics warn that sidelining State Department input could strain NATO ties, especially with Baltic states, as Russia intensifies hybrid threats, while the administration maintains an interagency review is needed to balance diplomacy with defense considerations as the review runs toward its year-end conclusion.

Trump names Adam Telle acting Army secretary after Driscoll's clashes with Pentagon — Sep 3, 2026President Donald Trump named Adam Telle acting Secretary of the Army after Dan Driscoll resigned amid clashes with Pentagon leadership. Telle, formerly Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, was sworn in in August 2025 and will need Senate confirmation for a permanent replacement.

Nicole Hardy Another Army secretary shuffle already? These clashes with the Pentagon keep piling up under this administration.

US imposes visa curbs on South Africans accused of land seizures — 3dThe United States announced a new visa-restriction policy targeting South African foreign nationals involved in uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, or the incitement of violence, arguing that Pretoria has not adequately addressed these concerns and that relations have deteriorated since President Trump’s first and second terms. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the policy as a response to these issues, with reporting across multiple outlets confirming the scope and intent of the sanctions.

Marcus Bell Relations with Pretoria have worsened for years over these issues, so limiting entry for those inciting seizures makes sense.

US Acknowledges On-Orbit Space-Control Weapons — 5dThe Space Force has deployed on-orbit space control weapons to defend U.S. forces and preserve space superiority, with Air Force Secretary Troy Meink publicly confirming their existence though no technical details were released. The announcements across conferences indicate ongoing development of both kinetic and non-kinetic space capabilities, including potential orbital strike and space-link interdiction, while the specifics remain classified and the broader strategic implications are debated.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll steps down amid reported friction with Hegseth — Sep 1, 2026

Jared Kim Would like to know the real reason behind the departure, these announcements never tell the full story.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns after clashes with Hegseth over reforms — Aug 31, 2026U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation to President Trump amid months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, leaving the Army with no Senate-confirmed leadership as acting officials assume duties. Reports from Reuters, CNN, and others confirm the White House and WSJ have been informing the narrative of a broader leadership shake-up within the Army.

Reader Driscoll is a flunky carry over from the DEI pentagon. To say he was a right hand man is laughable.

Burgum Says Oil Export Ban Unlikely to Lower Energy Prices — 4dU.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said at a G20 energy meeting that banning exports of oil or fuel would not lower energy prices amid the Iran conflict, warning such steps could trigger retaliatory actions and hurt consumers, including in California. He noted California’s high prices are linked to refinery closures and said options are limited ahead of the midterms, with the White House weighing the Defense Production Act to expand refining capacity as an alternative to export bans.

Rachel Meyers Export bans would likely backfire with retaliation and do nothing to fix California's refinery shortages.

White House reviewed replacing Pentagon deputy Feinberg, officials deny report — Sep 5, 2026The White House has been reviewing potential replacements for Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, a process that began in June and signals rising leadership turnover at the Pentagon under Secretary Hegseth. Officially no decision has been made to remove Feinberg, with discussions involving Senate support, while White House and Pentagon spokespeople deny any replacement process and reiterate Feinberg’s continued backing.

Chris Dalton Revolving door at the Pentagon lately. Hard to run a stable defense department when leadership keeps getting shuffled around like this.

US Plans First Deep-Sea Mining Permits Within Months — 4dThe Trump administration, via Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, is moving toward issuing the first deep-sea mining permits within months to secure domestic supplies of critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese from seabed nodules, with The Metals Company USA leading the most advanced application and NOAA coordination underway. The push seeks to diversify and strengthen U.S. supply chains for critical minerals amid international disputes and evolving maritime technology, with official timelines and approvals being rolled out in coming months and years.

Energy Secretary Wright says Iran nuclear deal may wait for future government — Sep 6, 2026U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned that there may be no nuclear agreement with Iran and that the United States may instead focus on destroying Tehran’s capability to develop nuclear weapons, a stance that could extend beyond today's administration amid ongoing tanker strikes and economic pressure. The remarks come as President Donald Trump reiterates priority on stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions and as oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain at record levels, underscoring the broader geopolitical and energy-security implications of the conflict.

Elena Vasquez Kicking the can to "a future government" is just another way of saying no plan exists right now.

Trump nominates Hung Cao as Navy Secretary — Sep 2, 2026President Donald Trump has nominated Hung Cao, the acting Navy Secretary, for the permanent post as the Navy contends with strain from ongoing operations in Iran and leadership turnover, praising him as a “true WARRIOR.” The nomination moves to the Senate for confirmation, with Cao already having led the Navy in an acting capacity since April and underscoring the service’s focus on readiness, shipbuilding, and homeland defense amid a challenging deployment pace.

Priya Raman Guy went from Vietnamese refugee to Navy Secretary nominee, that's a hell of a story regardless of politics.

Trump Navy Secretary Resigns Effective Immediately — Apr 22, 2026Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is resigning effective immediately, the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs said in a statement released Wednesday. Officials in the Department of War…

Defense Secretary Hospitalized AgainReporting — Feb 12, 2024Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was transported to a hospital due to bladder issues. On Sunday, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement that Austin was transported to Walter Reed National…

Trump Announces His Pick For White House Press Secretary — Nov 16, 2024President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that he has appointed Karoline Leavitt to serve as his White House press secretary. Leavitt has worked as national press secretary during both the campaign and transition…

Biden Reveals Psaki’s Replacement as Press SecretaryReporting — May 5, 2022President Joe Biden is revealing who will replace Jen Psaki as the new White House press secretary. In a statement Thursday, the president announced that Karine Jean-Pierre will be promoted to press secretary after…

McEnany Claims She ‘Never Lied’ As Press Secretary Because She Is ‘A Woman of Faith’Reporting — Jun 14, 2021Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany claims she “never lied” during her time in the Trump administration as press secretary, saying she is “a woman of faith.” During an event over the weekend, McEnany…

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Treasury Secretary Bessent's G20 push on yen policy and China's trade surplus