Policy
'The intern in charge': Meet the 22-year-old picked to lead terrorism prevention
One year out of college and with no apparent national security expertise, Thomas Fugate is a DHS official running the U.S. government's main hub for countering violent extremism.
Policy
Ready, slash, aim: USAID-State merger proceeding without key plans, IG finds
State set hiring goals without a strategy, began the merger without finishing the plan, and is slated to dismiss an oversight board before the effort is complete, the inspector general found.
Policy
What will DOD civilians do at the border? The Pentagon won’t say.
The Defense Department declined to provide any details on Monday’s order to provide support to DHS.
Policy
Despite Golden Dome, Space Force budget would shrink again under 2026 spending plan
The White House appears to be pinning its hopes on the one-time reconciliation bill.
Policy
Pentagon won’t say how many civilians have left since February
The department has used a mix of layoffs and voluntary resignations to cut workforce.
Policy
2026 budget proposal would axe one-third of CISA workforce
The White House spending proposal would cut nearly 1,000 jobs at the nation’s lead civilian cyber agency, and reduce funding for related cyber and intel programs.
Policy
New plans detail State Department layoffs and changes
National-security offices and units that cover Asia and the Middle East will be consolidated or slashed as thousands of employees are laid off.
Policy
Pentagon aims to save money by reducing consulting contracts
SecDef Hegseth says DOD personnel should take over “system IT integration, implementation, or advisory services"—but the military's own IT agency is also bracing for cuts.
Policy
Hegseth halves staff of Pentagon’s testing-oversight office
The move may reduce the quality of DOT&E’s second opinions, but may not affect safety, former officials said.
Policy
Pentagon orders civilian employees to submit money-saving ideas
It’s the last step in the "5 bullet points" weekly email exercise.
Policy
An 18th-century war power resurfaces in cyber policy talks
An old-world legal concept has drawn interest as a way to give private firms more leeway to fight state-backed hackers.
Policy
The DOD’s tech agency braces for 10% workforce cut
The agency hopes to bring some staff back in a “surgical rehiring,” said Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton, head of the Defense Information Systems Agency.
Policy
Pentagon accepts Qatari jet to use as Air Force One
The Air Force is preparing to award a contract to modify the luxury jet.
Policy
Space Force losing 14% of its civilian workers
That’s more than other military branches, and it means the service will end the year with nearly 1,000 fewer people than expected.
Policy
Special operations are becoming the Pentagon’s future ‘normal’
“SOF is floated as a one-size-fits-all solution for a lot of problems,” said one former official.
Policy
Is Trump’s ‘F-55’ fighter jet real?
One former defense official said the president is “very confused.”
Policy
US spy chief fires intelligence leaders who disputed Trump’s Venezuela-gang claims
A National Intelligence Council assessment rebutted the president's claims that Tren de Aragua is carrying out an “invasion” overseen by the Venezuelan head of state.
Exclusive
Policy
JSOC commander likely to be SOCOM pick, sources say
The White House “loves" Vice Adm. Mitch Bradley, but final decisions are not yet in.
Exclusive
Policy
State Department plans deeper-than-anticipated staff cuts
Some 3,400 jobs are now expected to be eliminated starting on June 2, up from around 2,000.
Policy