Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, 2025, after summoning almost 800 generals, admirals and their senior enlisted leaders from around the world on short notice. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
2025 in review: policy
A turbulent first year of the second Trump administration brought precedent-breaking security strategy and hasty cuts to the DOD workforce.
Hegseth stands up anti-DEI task force
Some of the task force’s targets, like quotas and discriminatory promotion policies, don’t exist.
January 30, 2025 | Meghann Myers
Bloodbath: Joint Chiefs chair, CNO, Air Force vice chief, three top JAGs to be replaced
Trump, Hegseth announce plans to oust several of the military’s top officers amid larger DEI purge.
February 21, 2025 | Audrey Decker and Bradley Peniston
Pentagon to fire up to 61,000 workers, starting with 5,400 next week
After the first round of firings, DOD will launch a review intended to cut the civilian workforce by 5 to 8%, a personnel official said.
February 21, 2025 | Meghann Myers
In Pentagon shakeup, some see bid for more secret actions, less oversight
Trump's unconventional pick for Joint Chiefs chair brings deep special-warfare experience.
February 23, 2025 | Patrick Tucker
Confusion, fear as changes whipsaw Defense workforce
Workforce cuts, travel freezes, and administrative burdens are leaving civilians shaken.
March 12, 2025 | Meghann Myers
SecDef gives DOD leaders less than two weeks to lay out cuts, changes
A Friday memo opens a new phase in Hegseth’s hurried effort to shrink the defense workforce.
March 29, 2025 | Bradley Peniston
Military support to law enforcement is supposed to be temporary. DOD is making it a core mission
“Sealing the border,” helping ICE, and counter-drug ops top the list, according to Pentagon documents.
August 31, 2025 | Meghann Myers
More than 60K defense civilians have left under Hegseth—but officials are mum on the effects
Months into a hastily ordered overhaul, officials declined to disclose metrics, discuss problems.
September 25, 2025 | Meghann Myers
SecDef uses unprecedented meeting to unveil 10 personnel, due-process reviews
After summoning senior officers from around the world, Hegseth invites them to resign if they don’t agree with him.
September 30, 2025 | Meghann Myers
‘Make Europe Great Again’ and more from a longer version of the National Security Strategy
A fuller version reviewed by Defense One outlines the Trump administration’s plans for shedding old relationships and creating new ones.
December 9, 2025 | Meghann Myers
Trump rebrands Congressionally-approved troop housing subsidy as ‘warrior dividend’ bonus
More than $2.9 billion in reconciliation funds was allocated to beef up troop housing allowances. Now it’s being used for $1,776 checks.
December 18, 2025 | Thomas Novelly