Donald Trump has appointed Fox News commentator and former National Guard officer Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense, a decision met with widespread criticism from military veterans and experts. Many argue that Hegseth, despite his combat experience, lacks the necessary high-level experience and qualifications to manage the Department of Defense. Hegseth’s appointment has been described as “the least qualified nominee for SecDef in American history” and a “hilariously predictably stupid thing” by critics, while some have expressed concern about his political affiliations and lack of experience in managing a large organization.
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The news of Trump’s surprise Pentagon pick sent shockwaves through the defense world, leaving many with the bewildered question: “Who the f–k is this guy?”.
The chosen nominee, a Major in the National Guard, lacked the extensive background in defense that many felt was crucial for the role. The sheer absurdity of the selection sparked outrage and disbelief, particularly given Trump’s promise to surround himself with “the best and brightest”. The appointment felt like a slap in the face to those who genuinely served and knew the intricacies of the military, leaving many wondering if Trump was deliberately installing loyalists to control the military, a move that could have dire consequences.… Continue reading
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary, a decision that has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns within the defense world due to his lack of experience in senior national security roles. Despite his background as an Army National Guard captain and a conservative commentator known for his “America First” stance, Hegseth’s lack of practical experience managing a large department with an enormous budget and handling complex global crises has raised questions about his ability to effectively lead the Pentagon. While some Republicans praised his combat experience and communication skills, others, including Democrats, expressed concern about his lack of experience and called for detailed plans and explanations on how he intends to handle the challenges facing the military. His nomination is sure to face scrutiny during Senate confirmation hearings, where senators will question his qualifications and vision for the future of the Department of Defense.
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Jack Teixeira, a former Air National Guard member, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegally sharing classified documents from the Pentagon on a social media platform. Teixeira pleaded guilty to six counts of espionage-related charges, acknowledging his actions in transmitting sensitive information about matters like military aid to Ukraine and threats against U.S. forces abroad. He was arrested in April 2023 and had been in custody since mid-May. Despite possessing a top-secret security clearance and receiving training on handling classified information, Teixeira began sharing documents online in January 2023, ultimately leading to his arrest and conviction.
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Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX and Tesla, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the past two years, raising national security concerns due to SpaceX’s government contracts. These conversations, reported by The Wall Street Journal, have included discussions about personal matters, business, and geopolitics, including a request from Putin to Musk to deactivate Starlink satellite service over Taiwan. Musk’s relationship with Putin, coupled with his support for Donald Trump and his recent public statements about Ukraine, raise questions about his allegiances and potential influence on U.S. foreign policy. The Kremlin has denied the conversations took place, while the White House, Pentagon, and State Department have declined to comment.
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President-elect Trump has reportedly spoken with world leaders, including Vladimir Putin, directly without the typical involvement of the State Department or government interpreters. This decision stems from Trump’s distrust of federal officials following leaked transcripts from his previous calls with foreign leaders. While Trump’s team is expected to eventually sign an agreement with the General Services Administration, which would establish a more formal protocol for these calls, the president-elect has opted for direct communication with world leaders in the interim. Trump has emphasized the importance of developing stronger relationships with these leaders, and his conversations with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have focused on de-escalating the conflict in Ukraine, despite ongoing military activity in the region.
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The UK’s oldest satellite, Skynet-1A, launched in 1969, has been moved to a location half a planet away from its original position, despite no record of who or why this occurred. While orbital mechanics make drifting unlikely, evidence suggests the satellite was deliberately moved in the 1970s, leaving a gap in the historical record of this national security asset. This movement has placed Skynet-1A in a “gravity well,” increasing the risk of collisions with other satellites, as it wanders near active traffic. While the lack of documentation surrounding the move is perplexing, the responsibility for this potentially hazardous situation still rests with the UK.
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NATO’s top military official, Admiral Rob Bauer, has stated that the alliance would have intervened directly in Ukraine to expel Russian forces if Moscow did not possess nuclear weapons. The threat of nuclear escalation, however, has prevented NATO from deploying troops on Ukrainian soil, despite the alliance’s support for Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion. This stark difference in NATO’s response to the conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine highlights the significant role nuclear weapons play in international security and the profound impact they have on the calculus of military intervention. The presence of Russia’s vast nuclear arsenal, coupled with increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Russian officials, has effectively limited the scope of Western military action in Ukraine.
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President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has yet to sign key agreements with the Biden administration, delaying access to critical information and briefing materials. This delay is partially due to concerns about the mandatory ethics pledge, which requires all members of the transition team to avoid conflicts of interest. Trump’s business interests have repeatedly come under scrutiny for potential conflicts, and the team is working to resolve these concerns before signing the agreement. This delay raises concerns about national security preparedness, as Trump’s team is behind schedule in vetting and selecting candidates for top Cabinet positions. While the Trump team downplays the impact, experts warn that this delay could have serious consequences for the smooth transition of power and the ability to effectively govern on Day 1.
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Despite facing an indictment for mishandling classified information, former President Trump is set to receive sensitive national security briefings in preparation for his return to the White House. This decision, driven by longstanding tradition and the need for an orderly transition, has raised concerns among intelligence officials, considering Trump’s history of handling classified material and his potential to compromise national security. While the Biden administration has directed its officials to cooperate with Trump’s team, the upcoming transition presents a significant challenge, particularly given Trump’s past behavior with classified information and his team’s potential to bypass traditional vetting procedures for security clearances.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood