Lawmakers and advocates are pressing the Department of Defense to protect access to abortion for servicewomen as the Supreme Court appears poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. The Army and the Air Force have made policy changes aimed at making leave for pregnancy termination easier. But advocates say the Pentagon itself should…
Author: Jordan Williams
Defense & National Security — McCarthy rebukes Jan. 6 panel
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has responded to a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, in which he questioned the panel’s legitimacy. We’ll break down the letter. Plus, we’ll recap President Biden’s commencement speech at the U.S. Naval Academy. This is Defense & National Security, your nightly…
Overnight Defense & National Security — Senate Republicans block domestic terrorism bill
Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a bill that would’ve established domestic terrorism offices within federal law enforcement agencies. We’ll give you the rundown on the vote. Plus, we’ll talk about why President Biden’s nominee for NATO’s top commander in Europe is looking forward to Finland and Sweden joining the alliance. Welcome to Defense & National…
NATO commander nominee says Finland, Sweden fortify defenses against Russia
President Biden’s nominee for NATO’s top commander says he looks forward to Finland and Sweden’s ascension into the alliance, saying that the countries fortify its defenses against Russia. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, current commander of U.S. Army Europe-Africa, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that the Nordic countries would immediately benefit the alliance. “From…
China announces military drills near Taiwan after Biden remarks
China announced on Wednesday that it conducted military drills near Taiwan amid President Biden’s comments that the U.S. would defend the island if Beijing invaded. Col. Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army, said in a statement that the drills were a “solemn warning to the recent US-Taiwan…
Defense & National Security — Man charged in plot to kill George W. Bush
An Iraqi citizen living in Ohio has been charged with aiding and abetting an ISIS plot to kill former President George W. Bush. We’ll break down the charges, plus we’ll talk about Russia and China conducting a joint military drill during President Biden’s trip to Japan. This is Defense & National Security, your nightly guide…
Foreign reporter’s phone seized while on flight with Pentagon official
A foreign reporter on Monday said that his phone was seized during a flight to Europe with Deputy Secretary of State Kathleen Hicks. Idrees Ali, a foreign policy reporter for Reuters who covers the Pentagon, said on Twitter that he was also “stopped from using electronics” due to a policy barring non-U.S. reporters from using…
Defense & National Security — $40B Ukraine package heads to Biden’s desk
The Senate on Thursday passed a $40 billion supplemental appropriations bill for Ukraine. We’ll talk about next steps. Plus, we’ll recap President Biden’s meeting with Sweden’s and Finland’s leaders. This is Defense & National Security, your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, I’m Jordan Williams….
Biden authorizes $100 million in weapons, equipment to Ukraine
The Biden administration announced $100 million in military assistance to Ukraine on Thursday, moments after the Senate sent a $40 billion supplemental aid package to the president’s desk. The equipment will include additional artillery, radars and other equipment to Ukraine, President Biden said in a statement following passage of the Ukraine aid. In a…
Pentagon IG finds Vindman’s brother ‘likely’ faced retaliation by Trump officials
The Pentagon’s Office of Inspector General has found that the brother of Retired Army Col. Alexander Vindman, a key witness in former President Trump’s first impeachment trial, likely faced retaliation from the then-president’s officials. Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman accused administration officials, including Trump and then-national security adviser Robert O’Brien, of retaliating against him for…