The three salesmen of the apocalypse: I write for @sfchronicle about what it means that Pete Hegseth tapped two tech moguls and an octogenarian to predict the future of war. sfchronicle.com/opinion/open… via

“Last year, at The Ned, a private Washington club frequented by administration officials, Lutnick asked Bessent if the two men could talk. “No,” Bessent curtly replied, turning his back on the Commerce secretary, according to a person who witnessed the exchange.” wsj.com/politics/policy/bess…

A good summary of how @washingtonpost continues to do kick-ass journalism. Rumors of its demise were greatly exaggerated. It is recovering from the cutbacks and continuing to produce important stories. washingtonpost.com/impact?it…

DOJ is reviewing whether the special prosecutor’s office that investigated the Watergate break-in committed misconduct, according to people familiar with the matter, more than half a century after that scandal led to Nixon’s resignation. W @PhilipWegmann wsj.com/politics/policy/deca…

NEWS: GOP senators are slamming Pete Hegseth's pick for Army secretary: DOD spox Sean Parnell. @SenKevinCramer: "His record, particularly the spousal abuse stuff, is just a bridge too far for the vast majority of people." "There are other good people.” washingtonsun.com/defense/he…

In an exclusive interview, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told me that Iranian forces "blew the hell out of Bahrain." While open-source analyses have long indicated that the U.S. Fifth Fleet Headquarters at Naval Support Activity Bahrain sustained extensive damage in the early days of the Iran conflict, Cao's comment represents a direct and high-level acknowledgment of the matter. This comment came up as Cao and I discussed a range of issues the Department of the Navy faces and how he's addressing them. President Donald Trump recently nominated Cao to serve as the full-time Secretary of the Navy. Cao awaits consideration before the Senate. As I asked about the USS Abraham Lincoln's recent deployment, overall fleet operational tempo, and the logistical support it takes to sustain high-intensity operations, Cao acknowledged damage to NSA Bahrain left the Lincoln's crew "no place for them to pull in." There's ongoing debate as to whether U.S. forces should reoccupy and repair their various bases across the Middle East once this Iran conflict has concluded, or whether these installations represent an outdated model for force projection in the region. I asked whether a return to NSA Bahrain would be necessary to sustain strenuous deployments like the kind the Lincoln's crew just saw. Cao said, "I have a task force that's looking at that."

NEWS: Congress is looking to shift Pentagon priorities, such as its munitions ramp-up, out of reconciliation, into regular appropriations, per Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst. 1/x

A scoopy piece on Steve Feinberg, the Pentagon's second-in-command thrust into the spotlight thanks to the case of a former CIA officer arrested with $40M in gold bars in his home. In the article: The FBI has questioned Feinberg in the probe into the officer, David Rush; the FBI says Feinberg is not under investigation. Feinberg’s work with Rush was part of a briefing to Trump. And U.S. officials relayed details about video Rush and Feinberg each appear in to members of Congress in a briefing about the case. nbcnews.com/politics/nationa… By @JuliaEAinsley @ckubeNBC @glubold @jonallendc and @dandeluce

"Attacking people for telling the truth creates a chilling effect for truth tellers—including those who are themselves in the military." theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0…

GOLD RUSH: The Pentagon’s No. 2 is quiet and inward facing, but Stephen Feinberg’s connection to David Rush, the CIA operative found with $40 million of gold bars in his house, has thrust him into an unwelcome spotlight. Our story: nbcnews.com/politics/nationa…

The Pentagon’s No. 2 Steve Feinberg has been interviewed by the FBI, sources say, as part of the probe into David Rush, the CIA employee accused of stealing $40 million in gold. @ckubeNBC @glubold @dandeluce @jonallendc nbcnews.com/politics/nationa…

These are all spot on questions

Hegseth’s decision to poly 50 Joint Staff members to see if they leaked info to reporters leaves one huge gaping and very serious hole. Did Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Caine challenge Hegseth? Did he threaten to resign? Did he say well then poly me too? Or did he let this widespread vote of no confidence in his staff stand? Hegseth might not have signed the order but he would have known. What does this tell us about Caine’s loyalty to his people? Thoughts?

Wow burn

No dude that’s just you

The WH is considering at least four candidates to succeed (now former) Army Secretary Dan Driscoll in that job, at a critical time: Marc Andersen, Derrick Anderson, Brian Mast and Sean Parnell. May be others. My piece with @ryanobles and @albamonica nbcnews.com/politics/nationa…

Lara what makes you think they are not “making the grade”. They were selected by these boards. Mr Hegseth has not shown any evidence that those selected were not chosen on merit.

New: Hegseth is now blocking the promotion of at least six one-stars up for promotion to two-star, including many logisticians who are historically people of color or women, in his latest effort to stop promotions of many such officers. @ckubeNBC and me nbcnews.com/politics/nationa…

Over the past 8 years, Jeff Schogol has been a steadfast and reliable teammate, a trusted voice for our audience, and the heart of Task & Purpose. Today is his last day, and as he leaves, we want to take a moment to reflect on his incredible contributions and the impact his work has had.

We are overwhelmed, it's well beyond anything we envisioned