Latest news with #DanCaine
CNN
an hour ago
- Politics
- CNN
Hegseth back in the spotlight with series of Capitol Hill hearings
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth heads to Capitol Hill for a series of congressional hearings over the next week that are likely to be a major test of his leadership following what is widely viewed as a rocky first few months on the job. The hearings, which begin Tuesday in front of a House subcommittee, will be the first time Hegseth will testify to Congress since his confirmation hearings in January and negative headlines earlier in the spring about chaos and dysfunction at the Pentagon. Lawmakers will have their first chance to question Hegseth under oath about his role in Signalgate, in which he and other national security officials discussed detailed military plans in a text chain that inadvertently included a prominent journalist. Hegseth – who will be testifying alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine – is also likely to face questions on a number of other thorny topics, including his plans to mobilize Marines to Los Angeles; the large-scale military operation against the Houthis in Yemen that ended abruptly last month; and his clashes with the Pentagon's Joint Staff. Drama consumed Hegseth's office this spring. He invited Elon Musk to the Pentagon for a classified briefing without first informing the White House and fired three senior Defense Department officials he accused of leaking to the press. Hegseth also faced significant blowback after sharing detailed military plans in a secure messaging app about a forthcoming strike on Yemen back in March. The tumult and negative headlines Hegseth created – including one from his former spokesman John Ullyot, who said the Pentagon was in 'chaos' under his leadership – led key White House officials to warn him that the drama needed to stop, officials familiar with the matter told CNN. In a statement ahead of the hearing, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said, 'The entire OSD team is working diligently together to return the DoD to its core mission of warfighting and to deliver results. Our accomplishments thus far are proof of that effort, and as the White House stated Monday, Secretary Hegseth has 'the full support' of President Trump.' Following his appearance before the House Appropriations subcommittee on Defense on Tuesday, Hegseth is set to testify before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Defense on Thursday and the House and Senate Armed Services committees also in the coming days. There might also be split-screen moments that reveal some daylight between Hegseth, who considers himself a fierce MAGA warrior, and Caine, who has no social media presence and prefers to stay under the radar. Caine has also disagreed with Hegseth in the past – particularly when it came to the Houthi campaign in Yemen, which Caine was deeply skeptical of, people familiar with the matter told CNN. White House officials will be monitoring Hegseth's testimony, particularly when it comes to Signalgate, which received bipartisan criticism from lawmakers in March. At the time, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi, said the information Hegseth posted should have been classified, and asked the Pentagon's inspector general to probe the matter. Hegseth has repeatedly claimed the information he posted, about the military operation against the Houthis in Yemen, were not classified 'war plans.' The administration will also be watching how Hegseth defends President Donald Trump's use of the military domestically – both at the border, where nearly 10,000 active duty troops have been deployed to help deter migrants from crossing into the US, and in California, where Trump activated the California National Guard over the will of state and local officials in response to protests in Los Angeles. On Saturday night, Hegseth posted on X that 'the@DeptofDefense is mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.' That comment raised eyebrows both at the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security, where officials wondered why Marines would need to be deployed in addition to National Guard troops and what their tasks would be. Lawmakers will likely have similar questions about how the troops have been trained, what their mission is in LA, and what their instructions are for the use of force. On Monday, US Northern Command confirmed that roughly 700 Marines based in California were being activated and heading to Los Angeles to 'seamlessly integrate' with California National Guard troops on the ground there that were mobilized by Trump over the weekend. It is still unclear what their specific task will be once in LA, sources told CNN. Like the National Guard troops, they are prohibited from conducting law enforcement activity such as making arrests unless Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, which permits the president to use the military to end an insurrection or rebellion of federal power. Those questions will likely be particularly pointed during hearings before the Armed Services committees. The ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Jack Reed, said on Sunday that the guard deployment and Hegseth's decision to put active-duty Marines on high alert 'sets a troubling precedent for military intervention in local law enforcement.' More broadly, though, the hearings come as Hegseth has tried in recent months to lay low and project calm to convince the White House that he's up to the job. But he still has no chief of staff after his first one, Joe Kasper, was pushed aside amid complaints that he was fighting with other Pentagon advisers and generally just difficult to reach. And the White House remains deeply skeptical of one of Hegseth's closest aides, Ricky Buria, because he worked under former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Meanwhile, Hegseth has remained fixated on leaks behind the scenes, people familiar with the matter said, further annoying some White House officials. A wide-ranging leak investigation he ordered in April is ongoing, a defense official said, and Hegseth has continued to push for polygraph tests of senior Pentagon officials. 'Secretary Hegseth is absolutely right to be concerned about leakers who are risking our nation's national security,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN in a statement. 'Pete is doing a fantastic job leading the Pentagon, and the President has full confidence in him.' Most recently, Hegseth was particularly angry about critical reporting on the anti-Houthi campaign, people familiar with the matter said. The operation, the largest to date on Hegseth's watch, had limited success and did not end on the Pentagon's terms. Rather, it ended because of a negotiated deal brokered by Trump's Middle East envoy. While Hegseth and CENTCOM Commander Michael Kurilla routinely touted the success of the anti-Houthi operation, Caine routinely asked tough questions about it and appeared deeply skeptical that it would yield useful results, the sources said. He ultimately recommended to Trump that it be wound down, especially since it did not appear to have a clear goal or end-game. For now, Hegseth remains in Trump's good graces, and he was at the White House on Monday along with other members of Trump's national security team to discuss the situation in Los Angeles. 'We have an obligation to defend federal law enforcement officers,' Hegseth posted on X, announcing the Marine deployment, 'even if (California governor) Gavin Newsom will not.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hegseth returns to Capitol Hill to defend Trump's defense budget plan
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will appear before Congress this week for the first time since his tumultuous confirmation to discuss the fiscal 2026 military budget, even though the full White House request for his department has yet to be released. Hegseth is scheduled to appear before both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on Tuesday and before the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday. All three hearings are intended to be focused on funding issues for the next fiscal year. But questions from lawmakers are unlikely to stay only on that topic. Democratic lawmakers have already discussed plans to grill Hegseth on his use of non-secure messaging platforms ahead of overseas airstrikes, policy decisions ending outreach programs to women and minority recruits and the high-profile dismissals of multiple defense officials in recent months. The defense secretary will be accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine in his first post-confirmation testimony, as well. Caine replaced Gen. CQ Brown after the latter was fired by President Donald Trump in February for unspecified reasons. Last week, Senate leaders said they didn't expect specifics on the president's defense budget plan for several more weeks. But lawmakers said they need to press forward on the issue now to have any hope of reaching a funding deal by October, the start of the new fiscal year. Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — G-50 Dirksen Navy/Marine Corps Budget Navy Secretary John Phelan, Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith will testify on the fiscal 2026 budget request. House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — 2118 Rayburn Middle East/Africa Posture Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, and Gen. Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, will testify on current challenges and the fiscal 2026 budget request. House Appropriations — 10 a.m. — H-140 Capitol FY2026 Defense Budget Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine will testify on the fiscal 2026 budget request. Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen Pending Nominations The committee will consider several pending nominations. Senate Appropriations — 2 p.m. — 192 Dirksen FY2026 Defense Budget Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine will testify on the fiscal 2026 budget request. House Appropriations — 3 p.m. — 2359 Rayburn FY2026 VA/Military Construction Budget The full committee will mark up its draft of the VA appropriations bill for fiscal 2026. House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — 2118 Rayburn Navy/Marine Corps Budget Navy Secretary John Phelan, Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith will testify on the fiscal 2026 budget request. House Veterans' Affairs — 11 a.m. — 360 Cannon Pending Legislation The subcommittee on economic opportunity will consider several pending bills. House Armed Services — 3:30 p.m. — 2118 Rayburn Army Munition Industrial Base Department officials will testify on challenges and strategy with the Army munitions industrial base. Senate Armed Services — 9:30 a.m. — G-50 Dirksen Central Command Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, will testify on current challenges and the fiscal 2026 budget request. House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — 2118 Rayburn FY2026 Defense Budget Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine will testify on the fiscal 2026 budget request. Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen Pending Nominations The committee will consider several pending nominations. Senate Appropriations — 10:30 a.m. — 192 Dirksen Army Budget Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George will testify on the fiscal 2026 budget request.
CNA
29-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
US underscores Indo-Pacific commitment with largest, 'most robust' Shangri-La Delegation in years: Embassy head
SINGAPORE: The United States is committed to working with its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific to ensure security and prosperity in the region, said its Charge d'Affaires Casey Mace on Thursday (May 29). The region is 'a leading priority for US foreign policy', said Mr Mace, who is the current head of the US embassy in Singapore in the absence of an ambassador. Speaking to the media at the US embassy in Napier Road, he emphasised that 'enduring American commitment and leadership in the region will make America and our allies and partners safer, more secure and more prosperous'. Mr Mace noted that the US delegation heading to the upcoming Shangri-La Dialogue – Asia's annual premier defence summit – is a high-level one. Led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, the country's highest-ranking military officer, it is the largest and 'most robust' delegation by the US in years, said Mr Mace. 'They often don't attend gatherings like this together, so I think that in itself is a real statement of the new administration's interest in massaging and engaging this region on security issues,' he said, adding that members of the US Senate and House, and other senior military officials will also be present. Mr Mace added that the US has enhanced its military presence and strategy in this region, conducting over 40 annual military exercises with over 20 of its allies and partners. When asked what the US expects in return from its partners for its commitment in this region, Mr Mace said that there is 'nothing specific'. 'I think the conversation will be, 'We share the same concerns. We share the same interests. What can we each do more to pursue our shared interests together and to address those shared concerns together?',' he said. 'There's not any specific requests that I'm aware of, but I think, really, that's probably better answered by the Pentagon.' Mr Mace said he does not think that the US tariff policy will affect its interactions with countries in the region, because 'the region really sees the importance of the United States as a security partner' and vice versa, so conversations will focus on addressing security challenges. US-SINGAPORE RELATIONSHIP The US and Singapore have a 'strong and dynamic partnership', said Mr Mace, adding that the American delegation is looking forward to 'an extensive set of bilateral meetings' with their Singaporean counterparts over the Shangri-La Dialogue weekend. 'I was heartened to hear Prime Minister (Lawrence) Wong say at his swearing-in ceremony that he also looked forward to deepening the partnership with the United States,' he said. 'I think this is a great first opportunity, just after the new government was sworn in, and with our new administration, to exchange views on the region and on ways that we can continue to strengthen that partnership together.' Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his new Cabinet was sworn in during a ceremony at the Istana last week. In his speech, Mr Wong said a key priority for his team will be to deepen Singapore's relations with the major powers, especially the US and China, engaging them honestly in a principled manner while not getting caught in their rivalry. 'Where our interests align, we will work with them. Where they do not, we will stand firm and protect Singapore's security and sovereignty,' he said. Mr Mace also said on Thursday that President Donald Trump's pick for US ambassador to Singapore is currently awaiting confirmation by the US Senate, and is expected to arrive here this year. Mr Trump in March nominated entrepreneur Dr Anji Sinha as his nominee to be the country's ambassador to Singapore. Not much is known about Dr Sinha, who has no presence on social media, but a short profile on the US Department of State website states that he is a "preeminent surgeon on the East Coast specialising in orthopedics and sports medicine". 'There's several steps in this confirmation process and that process can be fast, it can be slow. So it's not clear when he'll be confirmed. But the president has nominated him, and the nomination is moving forward, and I expect that the ambassador will be here hopefully this year,' said Mr Mace. He noted that the first wave of Mr Trump's ambassador nominees moved through the Senate 'relatively fast', which is a good sign for the Singapore posting too. While he has not spoken to Dr Sinha directly, Mr Mace said that 'what I understand is he's very excited about what this region represents for the United States' and that he will be 'very good at chasing these opportunities and representing the president'. Dr Sinha's profile also touches on his "deep social and cultural ties to the Indo-Pacific region" and his "appreciation for Singapore's role as a financial hub". Mr Mace added that he does not know about the nature of Dr Sinha's relationship to Mr Trump. The US intends to work with Singapore on cybersecurity in both the defence and civilian domains, an issue that is increasingly important in this region, said Mr Mace. 'We've been very focused on expanding in areas that represent sort of the advanced aspects of warfighting, and the Singaporeans recently stood up their defence cyber intelligence service branch,' he said. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) established the Digital and Intelligence Service in October 2022, and in March launched two new commands as part of its growth. Mr Mace said that apart from discussions between both countries on how to strengthen defence innovation, there will also be talks on continuing the Singapore air force's training on US soil. Singapore is the second largest foreign military force training in the US, noted Mr Mace. According to the US Department of State, there are almost 1,000 SAF personnel training there at any one time. ON THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ISSUE China's 'significant advances in military technology' is a concern for the US and its partners and allies, said Mr Mace. 'We are determined to maintain the main edge on military technology, and we're determined to do that with our partners and allies, so we watch very carefully advancements China is making,' he said. He said some of China's advances have been a result of "stealing intellectual property from the United States', which has formed some of the basis for the way the economic relationship between the two countries has evolved. He added that the US has to be more vigilant in protecting its technology, as China is getting 'more sophisticated at accessing, exploiting and stealing' them. Mr Mace said the South China Sea situation will be a 'dominant issue' at the upcoming Shangri-La Dialogue. It has been 'a challenge for this region for many, many years', and will likely feature in Mr Hegseth's exchanges with his counterparts, he said. 'China's assertiveness in the South China Sea has only increased in recent years, their actions have been, as we put forward, unlawful, destabilising and dangerous,' said Mr Mace. 'And I think that this type of forum is exactly the type of forum where we need to have an exchange on that.' Mr Mace said it is not surprising for the US that countries in the region are engaging with China, as China is after all situated in the region. 'I think that this region likes to try to see ways that they can develop their economies with China in ways that are constructive and healthy for their economies,' he said, adding that regional countries are also interested in maintaining a 'stable and peaceful neighbourhood'. Mr Mace also addressed a video posted on social media by the embassy last week, criticising China's position on the South China Sea. Conceptualised by the embassy itself, it was intended to draw attention to and present the Americans' view on the 'destabilising actions' by China in the disputed waters, by making the issue 'relatable to the local audience' with Singaporean analogies, said Mr Mace. In its video, the US embassy made use of visual and verbal references to Housing Board (HDB) flats and Singapore's town councils to illustrate its point. It likened China's claim of nearly the entire South China Sea to an inconsiderate neighbour claiming common spaces in HDB corridors and lift landings as their own. It also drew an analogy between the United Nations International Court of Justice and Singapore's town councils, depicting China as the neighbour who would ignore the town council's rulings. 'The video drew something like 10 times the number of viewers that other social media posts that we've put out on the South China Sea has, so we're pleased that it actually drew a lot of attention, because that was the intent we had,' said Mr Mace. He added that the effort was 'entirely consistent with what we've been doing around the region' and not just in Singapore. It was, however, 'a bit more creative and achieved a broader reach', noted Mr Mace. Mr Mace added that there are no further issues with the Singapore government stemming from the video. 'They put out a statement
The Independent
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump can't resist attack on Biden during Memorial Day speech honoring fallen heroes
President Donald Trump on Monday used what was intended as a solemn address honoring at America's honored dead at the country's most hallowed war grave to deliver a speech replete with gratuitous attacks on his predecessor and self-congratulatory talk about how God had returned him to the White House so he could preside over next year's U.S.-hosted World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Trump, who spoke at the Arlington National Cemetery ampitheater following introductory remarks by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, opened his speech by speaking of the 'incredible service members' who 'rest in glory' at Arlington, at America's overseas military cemeteries across the globe, and in 'one thousand lonely places known only to God.' 'Those young men could never have known what their sacrifice would mean to us, but we certainly know what we owe to them. Their valor gave us the freest, greatest and most noble republic ever to exist on the face of the earth,' Trump said. But the president quickly pivoted to grouse about his predecessor and his immigration policies, telling the crowd he was 'fixing' that 'noble republic' after 'a long and hard four years.' 'That was a hard four years we went through — who would let that happen?' he said. 'People pouring through our borders, unchecked, people doing things that are indescribable.' But Trump, apparently noticing his surroundings, added that such things were 'not for today to discuss' and continued his remarks, eventually going into a recitation of the names and deeds of a few of the Americans buried there at Arlington, soldiers and Marines and sailors who died in Vietnam and Afghanistan and Syria. He described how they'd sacrificed themselves 'on the altar of freedom' and how they'd 'plunged into the crucible of battle, stormed into the fires of Hell, charged into the valley of death and rose into the arms of angels.' 'The sacrifice that they made was not merely for a single battle a long ago victory or a fleeting triumph decades or centuries past. Their sacrifice was for today, tomorrow and every morning thereafter, every child that lives in peace, every home that is filled with joy and love,' he said. 'Our debt to them is eternal, and it does not diminish with time. It only grows and grows and grows with each passing year. The greatest monument to their courage is not carved in marble or cast in bronze. It's all around us, an American nation, 325 million strong, which will soon be greater than it has ever been before.' He spoke of a U.S. Navy 'linguist, translator and cryptologic technician' by the name of Shannon Kent, who was one of the first women to work alongside elite special operations units such as Navy SEAL teams and the Army's Delta Force 'to help them capture and kill terrorists.' 'She was among the first women ever to do it, and she did it better than anyone,' said Trump, who described how Kent, a Senior Chief Petty Officer, had been embedded in Syria with a SEAL team who were 'hunting ISIS terrorists through the streets' when she lost her life at the hands of a suicide bomber, leaving behind a husband and two sons who were in attendance at Arlington on Monday. Turning to them, he told them their mother 'was a hero' whose 'love ... strength and ... spirit' would 'always' be with them. He also told her parents and sister that Senior Chief Kent's name would 'live forever in the chronicles of true American patriots.' 'We should never forget, even for a moment, that freedom is a gift of the highest cost, and peace is one at the most precious price. These extraordinary American heroes and their immense and ultimate sacrifices, they offer only the faintest glimpse at the infinite grace we have received from all who laid down their lives for America over the past 250 years,' he said. But after that poignant moment, Trump returned to congratulating himself. His mention of 'the past 250 years' appeared to remind him of the upcoming semiquincentennial celebration to mark the anniversary of America's declaration of independence from Great Britain in July 1776. 'We're going to have a big, big celebration, as you know, 250 years, in some ways, I'm glad I missed that second term where it was because I wouldn't be your president for that most important of all. In addition, we have the World Cup, and we have the Olympics. Can you imagine? I missed that four years, and now look what I have — I have everything, it's amazing how things work out,' he said. 'God did that — I believe that, too.' 'You know, I got the World Cup and I got the Olympics. The 250 years was not mine. I'd like to take credit, but I got the Olympics, I got the World Cup when I was president. And I said, Boy, it's too bad I won't be president then. And look what happened. I turned out, and we're going to have a great time.' Trump, who never served in any of the U.S. armed services spoke just after he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which holds unidentified remains of three American servicemen, one from the First World War War, one from the Second World War, and one from the Korean War. The president was accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Major General Trevor Bredenkamp, the commanding general of the Military District of Washington, as he approached the tomb and helped slide the wreath into place. All four rendered hand salutes during the playing of the national anthem, even though Bredenkamp, who was in uniform, was the only one of them required to salute under protocol and tradition dictating that civilians and persons wearing civilian clothing are supposed to place their right hands over their hearts instead. Trump has often erroneously saluted at military ceremonies such as this one, but it is notable that Vance and Hegseth chose to copy him since they are both military veterans who would have been trained not to salute when not in uniform. The president's speech with attacks on Biden came hours after he took to Truth Social for an early morning post in which he railed against his predecessor Joe Biden, branded the Demcorats 'scum' and federal judges 'monsters' in a testy Memorial Day message. In an all-caps, early-morning tirade, the president wished a 'Happy Memorial Day to all' before his message went awry and devolved into an all-out attack against his political opponents. 'Including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds, who allowed 21,000,000 million people to illegally enter our country, many of them being criminals and the mentally insane, through an open border that only an incompetent president would approve,' he wrote. Trump also addressed his clash with the courts and lambasted federal judges who have moved to block his administration 's policies, claiming they are protecting 'murderers, drug dealers, rapists, gang members, and released prisoners from all over the world.' Deriding the judiciary as 'monsters,' Trump said that he remains hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court and other 'good and compassionate' judges will step in to save America. 'But fear not, we have made great progress over the last 4 months, and America will soon be safe and great again! Again, happy Memorial Day, and god bless America!' he concluded the message, which was deleted twice with spelling and spacing errors before it was finally re-uploaded.
Belfast Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Pete Hegseth orders more restrictions on press at Pentagon
They include banning reporters from entering wide swaths of the Pentagon without a government escort, areas where the press has had access in past administrations, as it covers the activities of the world's most powerful military. Newly restricted areas include his office and those of his top aides and all of the different locations across the mammoth building where the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Space Force maintain press offices. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. The media will also be barred from the offices of the Pentagon's senior military leadership, including Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, without Mr Hegseth's approval and an escort from his aides. The staff of the Joint Chiefs has traditionally maintained a good relationship with the press. Mr Hegseth, the former Fox News Channel personality, issued his order via a posting on X late on a Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend. He said it was necessary for national security. 'While the department remains committed to transparency, the department is equally obligated to protect (classified intelligence information) and sensitive information, the unauthorised disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. service members in danger,' wrote Mr Hegseth. The Pentagon Press Association expressed scepticism that operational concerns were at play — and linked the move to previous actions by Mr Hegseth's office that impede journalists and their coverage. 'There is no way to sugarcoat it. Today's memo by Secretary Hegseth appears to be a direct attack on the freedom of the press and America's right to know what its military is doing,' it said in a statement on Friday night. 'The Pentagon Press Association is extremely concerned by the decision to restrict movement of accredited journalists within the Pentagon through non-secured, unclassified hallways.' Mr Hegseth also said reporters will be required to sign a form to protect sensitive information and will be issued a new badge that more clearly identifies them as press. It was not clear whether signing the form would be a condition of continued access to the building. Two months ago, the department was embarrassed by a leak to The New York Times that billionaire Elon Musk was to get a briefing on the US military's plans in case a war broke out with China. That briefing never took place, on president Donald Trump's orders, and Mr Hegseth suspended two Pentagon officials as part of an investigation into how that news got out. The Pentagon was also embarrassed when the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently included in a group chat on the Signal messaging app where Mr Hegseth discussed plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen. Mr Trump's former national security adviser, Mike Waltz, took responsibility for Mr Goldberg being included and was shifted to another job. The administration has taken several aggressive actions toward the press since Mr Trump took over, including FCC investigations into ABC, CBS and NBC News. Restrictions imposed on The Associated Press' access to certain White House events earlier this year led to a court battle that is ongoing. The White House has also increased access for conservative media that are friendly to the president. Nevertheless, a study released earlier this month found that Mr Trump had more frequent exchanges with reporters during his first 100 days in office than any of his six predecessors. Mr Hegseth, however, has been far less available. He has yet to speak to the press in the Pentagon briefing room. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell has held only one Pentagon press briefing since January 20. The Pentagon has taken other steps to make it more difficult for reporters, including taking office space away from eight media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN and NBC.
