Dan Lamothe

washingtonpost.comHegseth wanted Eisenhower’s globe for his office. His staff broke it.Photos obtained by The Post show a gash in the World War II-era artifact that resulted from a botched relocation attempt inside the Pentagon.

1 Oct 2025

I remain reachable on Signal at danlamothe.30

Dan Lamothe reposted

The Washington Post

@washingtonpost.com

Exclusive: The historical significance of floor globes used by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower during World War II was attractive to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, people said. While moving to his office, staff lost control of the artifact and dropped it.

wapo.stHegseth wanted Eisenhower’s globe for his office. His staff broke it.Photos obtained by The Post show a gash in the World War II-era artifact that resulted from a botched relocation attempt inside the Pentagon.

EXCLUSIVE: Pete Hegseth wanted Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s globe for his office. His staff broke it. The Pentagon denied us access to take photos, but we obtained some anyway. A story in global affairs: wapo.st/3WF2YQo

washingtonpost.comMilitary leaders brace for release of Hegseth’s Afghanistan reviewPresident Donald Trump focused on the deadly withdrawal of U.S. forces during his 2024 campaign, vowing to hold people accountable for decisions made under the Biden administration.

NEW: Military leaders are bracing for the Trump administration to release its review of the Afghanistan evacuation as soon as this month, people familiar with the matter said, a move that would revive discourse of the war's closing days just before elections. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

wapo.stA Pentagon dispute 18 months ago was prelude to problems in IranThe U.S. began bombing Yemen’s Houthis in 2025 despite concern over weapons stocks and unclear goals. The Iran-backed group is still bedeviling the region.

As Houthi militants attacked ships in the Red Sea last year, top U.S. officials gathered at the Pentagon to prepare military options for President Donald Trump. Their meetings repeatedly grew tense, over both end game and resources to be used. Our story today:

Dan Lamothe@danlamothe.bsky.social

NEW: "General, the time for assessments is over." Tense deliberations ahead of Operation Rough Rider foreshadowed Iran challenges to come wapo.st/470nxZM

Dan Lamothe reposted

NEW: "General, the time for assessments is over." Tense deliberations ahead of Operation Rough Rider foreshadowed Iran challenges to come wapo.st/470nxZM

NEW: "General, the time for assessments is over." Tense deliberations ahead of Operation Rough Rider foreshadowed Iran challenges to come wapo.st/470nxZM

It's Friday. That means another week has ended without a news briefing at the Pentagon. The last one was held May 5. That's five months ago next week.

wapo.stPentagon prepares for potential surge of naval forces in Middle EastThe U.S. military may soon have three aircraft carriers in the region as the Trump administration figures out its next steps in the months-long war with Iran.

The U.S. military is planning for a possible surge of thousands of naval forces to the Middle East in coming weeks, as President Donald Trump considers renewing strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, U.S. officials said Thursday. wapo.st/4hUh6xr

22 Sept

The 21st night of September is the Temu version of the April 25 "perfect date." Need a light jacket for both, though.

15 Sept

Reachable on Signal for encrypted news tips at danlamothe.30 Thank you!

11 Sept

I've refrained from posting anything of my own about 9/11 today until now. On this 25th anniversary, I've been at a loss for words, knowing everything that day brought. In violence. In chaos. In grief. In wars that followed and defined a generation.

11 Sept

I keep turning back to the inspiring acts of that day and the love of that was in them. There is some comfort and an example for us there. Sometimes, that's all we get.

washingtonpost.comTrump said the top U.S. general was at the midterm convention. It’s not true.Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, was at a 9/11 memorial event nearby.

10 Sept

Trump said the top U.S. general was at the midterm convention. It’s not true. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

washingtonpost.comPentagon secretly installs military influencers in civilian rolesConservative veterans with large social media followings have been hired by the Defense Department and are amplifying Pete Hegseth’s culture-war fights.

30 Aug

EXCLUSIVE: Pentagon secretly installs military influencers in civilian government roles. They include Rob Maness, Kurt Schlicter and Tom Anderson, better known as Cynical Publius. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

washingtonpost.comMilitary leaders warn Hegseth against extending Iran war operationsA recent classified assessment advised that prolonged large-scale operations in the Middle East risk weakening U.S. capabilities elsewhere.

30 Aug

Another @washingtonpost.com exclusive: Numerous four-star military leaders warn Hegseth against extending Iran war operations www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

washingtonpost.comBefore Hegseth fired him, top general was advised to drop Kid Rock probeGen. Randy George appeared troubled by the encounter with Gen. Chris LaNeve, the Army’s No. 2 officer now favored for the service’s top job, people familiar with the matter told The Post.

26 Aug

EXCLUSIVE: Before Pete Hegseth fired Gen. Randy George, the Army's top officer, the general was advised to drop an investigation involving Kid Rock. Gen. Chris LaNeve, who is now Hegseth’s choice for the job, made the suggestion, troubling George. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

washingtonpost.comNavy weighs major warship redesign to match Trump’s preferencesThe president wants the new fleet of aircraft carriers to more resemble those from World War II. Such a change could cost billions.

15 Aug

ANOTHER WAPO SCOOP: The Navy is considering a major redesign of its new aircraft carriers to better match President Donald Trump’s aesthetic preferences for the warships, according to seven current and former U.S. officials familiar with the matter. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

washingtonpost.comCIA had ‘low confidence’ in Iranian threat before Trump switched planes in TurkeyCIA had doubts about Israeli intelligence on a threat to Trump in Turkey that prompted an extraordinary secret flight.

12 Aug

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. intelligence officials were skeptical of an Iranian assassination threat against President Donald Trump that was relayed by Israel and prompted an extraordinary clandestine maneuver that saw him secretly fly out of Turkey, officials said. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

wapo.stClose Trump aides — but no Cabinet officials — made secret catering truck moveThe president was accompanied by some of his most loyal aides but no top administration officials as he made the clandestine move to a different plane to leave Turkey last month.

12 Aug

SCOOP: People on the airport catering truck used to secretly move President Trump off an Air Force One 747 in Turkey included: - Dan Scavino - Walt Nauta - Natalie Harp No Cabinet-level officials were on that truck. wapo.st/3S47ztG

12 Aug

The New York Times reported late yesterday that among those who *remained* on the 747 that flew with the AF1 call sign (but no president) were Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, Steven Cheung and Stephen Miller.

11 Aug

Have seen a couple of reactions to this effect. But no. In this case, our reporting shows that President Trump was aboard a plane with a nondescript call sign, "Reach 18." The legacy Air Force One flew from Turkey to Britain with the AF1 call sign ... and no president.

Rage Against the Maniac@phillipse16.bsky.social

Air Force one is literally any air craft operated by the Air Force with the president on board. Ditto marine one. And if the army flew them it would be Army one. We’ve made AF1 synonymous with the pretty blue and white plane but it’s just a call sign, not any one plane.

washingtonpost.comContradicting public statements, Trump took secret flight from Turkey amid Iranian threatThe White House said the president was aboard Air Force One as he left a NATO summit. Instead, his departure included an elaborate ruse that concealed his travel.

10 Aug

EXCLUSIVE: Contradicting public statements, Trump took secret flight from Turkey amid Iranian threat. That's *neither* the Air Force One gifted by Qatar *nor* the legacy Air Force One jumbo jet. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

31 July

And so ends yet another week with no routine news briefing at the Pentagon. Despite an active conflict with Iran, there have been zero briefings since May 5.

13 July

Transparency update: After repeated rounds of airstrikes on Iran over the last week, there's no sign of the Pentagon returning to news briefings that were occasionally held earlier in the war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last briefed the public in a press conference at the Pentagon on May 5.

washingtonpost.comTrump begins construction of unannounced White House helipadThe project, funded with a Lockheed Martin donation, is intended to resolve a years-long problem with the new Marine One helicopters: They run the risk of scorching the White House's grass.

30 June

Trump begins construction of unannounced White House helipad for Marine One helicopters: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

wapo.stHegseth thwarted internal efforts to extend top Army general’s careerGen. Christopher Donahue, seen as a top warfighter, is the latest apparent casualty in a purge of senior military leaders by the Trump administration.

24 June

New: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stonewalled internal efforts to extend Gen. Chris Donahue's career, sources tell The Washington Post. wapo.st/3SJrmhP

22 June

News tips, as always, appreciated. I'm on Signal at danlamothe.30

10 June

Laura Loomer is among those traveling with Secretary Hegseth today to Guantanamo Bay.

Dan Lamothe reposted

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

nyti.msTrump Pardons Former Congressman Convicted of Insider TradingStephen Buyer, a former Republican representative from Indiana, was convicted of trading stock related to two deals before they were made public.

President Trump has pardoned Stephen Buyer, a former Republican representative from Indiana who was convicted of insider trading in 2023.

Hegseth at Normandy: "Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies. Beaches in Spain and Italy and Greece and Bulgaria. Boats and men arrive. When will European capitals do something about that invasion? Or is it too late? I pray not, and I believe not."

This per the traveling press pool report

wapo.stFamily angry Hegseth, Trump Jr. ‘ghosted’ them on SEAL’s death investigationCmdr. Job Price’s death was ruled a suicide. But irregularities raised suspicions among his loved ones and others.

EXCLUSIVE: Navy SEAL family says Hegseth and Trump Jr. ‘ghosted’ them on war-zone death investigation With text messages. Gift link: wapo.st/3RQNsPa

"We've run into a lot of brick walls, and Pete Hegseth was someone who could have helped us and chose not to, for whatever reason."

wapo.stPentagon bans journalists from press office, designating it a classified spaceThe change creates a new barrier compared with previous administrations, under which the office was an open room where reporters could stop by the desks of military public affairs officials without es...

1 June

You can send your encrypted news tips at danlamothe.30 With thanks.

Dan Lamothe@danlamothe.bsky.social

NEW: The Pentagon has banned journalists from its press office, designating it a classified space. The change creates a new barrier between journalists and the public affairs officers who have traditionally answered their questions. wapo.st/4fZu2kW

1 June

30 May

Two UMass alumni softball wins this morning in D.C.'s beautiful West Potomac Park against Johns Hopkins and Texas A&M. It's unclear how long this park will remain available, amid an effort by President Trump to turn it into sculpture garden.

wapo.stPentagon recruiting troops to watch White House UFC fights, memos showInternal messages reviewed by The Post stipulate that military personnel must pay their own ways and meet strict physical requirements to be eligible.

29 May

One memo, circulated within the Air Force, stipulates that to be eligible to watch the cage fights, personnel “MUST MEET CURRENT WAIST-HEIGHT RATIO and current physical fitness standard.” Troops will be required to wear their short-sleeve dress uniforms, the memo adds.

Dan Lamothe@danlamothe.bsky.social

NEW: The Pentagon is moving to recruit hundreds of troops to appear as spectators at Trump’s UFC cage-fighting event at the White House, and requiring those who attend to pay their own way and meet height and weight requirements, memos obtained by @washingtonpost.com show. wapo.st/49wqqDf

29 May

washingtonpost.comTrump administration proposes NDAs for all federal workersThe rule, aimed at cracking down on leaks to media organizations, would expand nondisclosure agreements instituted at the Pentagon and other agencies.

26 May

"Most transparent administration ever"? In this move, the Trump administration seeks to crack down on the disclosure of *unclassified* information.

Dan Lamothe@danlamothe.bsky.social

NEW: Trump administration proposes NDAs for all federal workers www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

26 May

NEW: Trump administration proposes NDAs for all federal workers www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

washingtonpost.comTrump plans to build helipad at White HouseThe longtime helicopter owner is addressing a persistent problem: The new Marine One helicopters have a history of burning grass.

25 May

“For love of country they accepted death.” — James A. Garfield

Dan Lamothe reposted

Dan Diamond

@ddiamond.bsky.social

18 May

Trump is planning another new addition to the White House: a helipad on the south lawn. Why? Because the long-stalled new Marine One helicopters keep burning the grass. with the estimable @danlamothe.bsky.social

wapo.stAdmiral accuses lawmaker of ‘inappropriate’ remark at Iran war hearingAdm. Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, appeared frustrated with questions from House Democrats who pressed him on a range of issues about the conflict.

19 May

. @moulton.house.gov responds to his dustup with Adm. Cooper today: "If Admiral Cooper is unwilling to ask these questions himself, or is uncomfortable answering them, then he’s not doing his job." Gift link: wapo.st/4dxZ9Bj

7 May

Up on Signal for encrypted, confidential tips: danlamothe.30 With thanks.

washingtonpost.comHegseth tightens control at Pentagon, defiant and more confident than everTrump’s combative defense secretary has grown more self-assured of his job security despite his early missteps in the role, people familiar with the matter said.

“The president is always going to be the president. He’s always going to say and do things that cause chaos or controversy. That doesn’t mean it’s okay for everybody else to act that way.”

Dan Lamothe@danlamothe.bsky.social

NEW: Pete Hegseth tightens control at Pentagon, defiant and more confident than ever Lots of new details here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

In a statement, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles did not dispute Washington Post reporting that she has had concerns about Hegseth at times. But she credited him with bringing “clarity, strength and leadership” to the Pentagon “at a critical moment for our country.”

Dan Lamothe@danlamothe.bsky.social

NEW: Pete Hegseth tightens control at Pentagon, defiant and more confident than ever Lots of new details here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

One administration official equated the state of play with Pete Hegseth’s job security to that of a grizzly bear chasing a group of hikers. “As long as you don’t run the slowest, you’re safe — and Pete is not the slowest right now.”

Dan Lamothe@danlamothe.bsky.social

NEW: Pete Hegseth tightens control at Pentagon, defiant and more confident than ever Lots of new details here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

washingtonpost.comFEMA aims to rehire most of the disaster-response employees it fired months agoThe agency is planning to bring back most of the staffers from the Cadre of On-Call Response and Recovery who were terminated as part of Kristi Noem’s plans to cut the agency.

NEW: Pete Hegseth tightens control at Pentagon, defiant and more confident than ever Lots of new details here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Dan Lamothe reposted

The Washington Post

@washingtonpost.com

30 Apr

FEMA is working to rehire more than 100 disaster-response employees who had been fired months ago in time for hurricane season, according to officials.