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Pentagon Faces Scrutiny Over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Wife's Influence and Access

Pentagon Faces Scrutiny Over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Wife's Influence and Access

Jennifer Hegseth, wife of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has drawn significant attention and criticism for her unusual level of involvement in her husband's official duties. A former Fox News producer, she has been described as her husband's most influential adviser and a 'de facto producer' at the Pentagon. Her activities include prepping him for appearances, sitting in on meetings with journalists, interviewing potential staff members, and brainstorming ideas for Defense Department videos. Notably, she was present in a highly sensitive meeting with top British defense officials where classified information regarding U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine was discussed, causing unease among the British delegation. She has also been included in a group Signal chat where the Defense Secretary shared attack plans for U.S. warplanes targeting Houthis in Yemen. This month, she was appointed chair of President Trump’s Military Spouse Commission, an unpaid position aimed at improving military families' liv...

Army Chief Chosen by Secretary Hegseth Cancels Experimental Drone Battalion

Army Chief Chosen by Secretary Hegseth Cancels Experimental Drone Battalion

The acting Army Chief of Staff, LaNeve, appointed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has canceled an experimental drone battalion. This decision reverses a project initiated by the previous Army Chief, Gen. Randy George, who was abruptly relieved of his post by Secretary Hegseth in April. LaNeve, who was Hegseth's senior military aide, has rapidly ascended through the ranks and is now in a position to reshape programs from the previous leadership. The experimental drone battalion, composed of 600 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, was intended to develop drone expertise within the Army. Following an exercise in the early fall, the unit will revert to its original role as an airborne infantry unit.

U.S. Southern Command Executes Lethal Strike on Suspected Narco-Trafficking Vessel in Eastern Pacific

U.S. Southern Command Executes Lethal Strike on Suspected Narco-Trafficking Vessel in Eastern Pacific

On August 23, 2026, the U.S. Southern Command (SouthCom) conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of two individuals accused of drug trafficking. This operation marks the first such strike in months and is part of the Trump administration's ongoing campaign against 'narco-terrorists.' SouthCom stated that intelligence confirmed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking. General Francis Donovan, who leads U.S. Southern Command, emphasized the military's commitment to disrupting operations, dismantling leadership, and eliminating cartel terror across the region. A video released by SouthCom showed the vessel being struck by an explosion. This incident brings the total death toll from the campaign to 223 people across 67 strikes, which have also resulted in the destruction of 64 speedboats, three low-profile ships, and a semisubmersible craft since September 2025.

Pentagon official to brief NATO allies as review fuels questions

Pentagon official to brief NATO allies as review fuels questions

By Lili Bayer, Humeyra Pamuk and Sabine Siebold BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Senior European diplomats will seek to reassure the Pentagon’s policy chief on Thursday that they are stepping up on defence amid uncertainty about a U.S. review of forces in Europe and concern about Russia,

Representative Mark Messmer Co-Sponsors Legislation to Bolster U.S. Defense Industrial Base

Representative Mark Messmer Co-Sponsors Legislation to Bolster U.S. Defense Industrial Base

Representative Mark Messmer (R-IN) is an original co-sponsor of the Defense Export Modeling Alignment for National Defense Act (DEMAND Act). This legislation, introduced by Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13), aims to strengthen America’s defense industrial base by integrating foreign military sales into the Department of War’s industrial base planning and production-capacity decisions. The DEMAND Act is designed to advance President Trump’s Executive Order 14383, titled 'Establishing an America First Arms Transfer Strategy.' According to Representative Jackson, the bill will leverage foreign arms purchases to stimulate capital investment, expand American defense production capabilities, and enhance the resilience of critical domestic suppliers. Other co-sponsors include Representatives Rich McCormick (R-GA), Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI).

Democrats Allege Energy Fuels Missed Deadline in Insider Trading Probe Related to Bears Ears National Monument

Democrats Allege Energy Fuels Missed Deadline in Insider Trading Probe Related to Bears Ears National Monument

U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) are investigating Energy Fuels, Inc. for potential insider trading. The Democrats sent a letter on August 10 to Ross Bhappu, president and CEO of Energy Fuels, Inc., requesting a year's worth of communications between the company and officials at the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They also requested the calendars of Bhappu and Board Chair Bruce Hansen, and the company’s lobbying contracts. The investigation focuses on whether Bhappu and Hansen received nonpublic information from Trump administration officials regarding the planned downsizing of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah before it was announced. Public records indicate Bhappu purchased 74,000 shares of stock on July 7, and Hansen bought 4,000 shares on July 8, shortly before President Trump announced the reduction of Bears Ears on July 13. Energy Fuels reportedly missed the August 24 deadline to turn over the requested materials, wit...

Trump Administration Imposes New Fees and Restrictions on H-1B Visa Program

Trump Administration Imposes New Fees and Restrictions on H-1B Visa Program

The Trump administration is implementing a series of policy changes that introduce new costs and uncertainties for employers and workers relying on H-1B visas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new fee of $103,265 for all H-1B petitions subject to an annual cap. This comes alongside expanded screening fees for some employers, increased discretion for officers to reject petitions, and plans to eliminate a 60-day grace period for H-1B workers who lose their jobs. Other significant regulatory moves include capping authorized admission periods for foreign students and overhauling wage floors, potentially adding tens of thousands of dollars to required pay for individual visa holders. These measures are part of an administration-wide enforcement crackdown targeting H-1B hiring, with the stated goal of protecting American workers.

President Trump Administration's Policies on Autism Spark Concern Among Advocates

President Trump Administration's Policies on Autism Spark Concern Among Advocates

President Trump's second administration has brought autism into the national spotlight, marked by an executive order in early August to reduce routine childhood immunizations, falsely linking vaccines to autism. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also contributed to ungrounded claims regarding autism's causes, including links to childhood vaccines and Tylenol during pregnancy. Concurrently, the administration has implemented significant cuts and reorganizations within federal agencies responsible for protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. This includes dismantling parts of the Department of Education, closing regional offices of the Office for Civil Rights, and shifting special-education oversight to HHS and the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice. Funding for research into disparities in autism diagnoses and resources, particularly for marginalized communities, has also been significantly reduced.

President Trump's FDA Nominee, Dr. Heidi Overton, Expected to Renew Scrutiny on Abortion Drug Mifepristone

President Trump's FDA Nominee, Dr. Heidi Overton, Expected to Renew Scrutiny on Abortion Drug Mifepristone

President Trump's nominee for FDA Commissioner, Dr. Heidi Overton, is expected to bring renewed scrutiny to mifepristone, the abortion drug currently undergoing a federal safety review. John Mize, CEO of Americans United for Life (AUL), a pro-life organization, stated that Overton, known for her pro-life views and experience in government and medical research, is the 'right candidate' to lead the FDA. Mize believes Overton will objectively evaluate mifepristone, which carries an FDA boxed warning for serious risks, and potentially tighten regulations. The FDA previously relaxed in-person dispensing requirements for mifepristone in 2021 and later removed them permanently. Overton has publicly criticized the expansion of access to abortion pills, accusing the Biden administration of wrongly justifying mail-order access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Latest: Supreme Court clears the way for Trump to restrict mail-in voting

The Latest: Supreme Court clears the way for Trump to restrict mail-in voting

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Donald Trump to move ahead with his executive order restricting mail-in voting, though it remains unclear how much his administration can implement before the fast-approaching midterm elections

The Latest: Trump administration announces new sanctions against Iran

The Latest: Trump administration announces new sanctions against Iran

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has unveiled the Trump administration’s new financial campaign against Iran as the U.S. marks nearly six months of war against the country

Palm Beach Post

Post reader believes Trump fiddles while the world crumbles | Letters

Post reader believes Trump fiddles while the world crumbles | Letters

Palm Beach Post readers share their perspectives on President Trump, climate change, and GOP economic policies.