Tara Copp

SecDef Pete Hegseth provided the exact times of warplane launches and when bombs would drop — before the men and women flying those attacks against Yemen’s Houthis this month on behalf of the United States were airborne. apnews.com/article/hegs...

Why were pictures of one of history's most famous planes in a database set to be deleted by the Defense Department? Apparently, because of its "Gay" name. Credit to @taracopp.bsky.social for the excellent reporting.

EXCLUSIVE: The @AP has obtained and tonight published a database of the file names and descriptions of more than 26,000 military images flagged for removal --because the pictures highlight contributions by women or minorities, or celebrate cultural heritage. apnews.com/article/dei-...

The @apnews.com has obtained the full list of 875 VA contracts to be cut. Contracts to support veterans disability ratings, toxic exposure work and more are affected: apnews.com/article/doge...

Caine, who is retired, served in combat roles in Iraq, special operations postings and other high-value roles. However he does not not have experience that was identified in law as prerequisites - but the president can waive them if necessary in times of national interest.

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The cuts Hegseth is directing would be as steep as the 2013 sequester. apnews.com/article/trum...

FAA staffers cut included aviation safety assistants, mechanics and staff that update navigational aids for crews. apnews.com/article/faa-...

Here’s latest update on FAA firings - less than 400 - but in critical missions. And folks working on a classified radar program …https://apnews.com/article/doge-faa-air-traffic-firings-safety-67981aec33b6ee72cbad8dcee31f3437

It’s been a busy day … I am hearing from FAA and DOD staff through my Signal (taracopp.06 and protonmail taracopp@protonmail.com - anyone in any agency who wants to reach out securely you can through either of those ways.

New from me: The Trump administration has reversed the firings of all but 28 of the nuclear weapons workers that @DOGE blindly cut last week. apnews.com/article/nucl...

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, paid $50,000 to the woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017, according to answers he provided during his confirmation process that the AP has obtained. apnews.com/article/hegs...

IAVA on Hegseth getting troop pardons w/ Trump & impact on morale: “These aren’t war criminals that some liberal activist went after when they saw a news story. These men were convicted because men who served alongside them who experienced the same horrors of war felt like they crossed a line.”

Germany’s defense minister Boris Pistorius called Trump’s comments on potentially using military force to take Greenland -- which is part of NATO member Denmark -- “diplomatically astonishing.” apnews.com/article/zele...

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Hi from frigid, windy and black-iced (I already slipped once) Joint Base Andrews where we are boarding for Austin’s final trip as Defense Secretary - see you in Ramstein

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New: Livelsberger helped a former Army nurse he was dating in 2019 restore a Tesla she'd recovered from a junk yard, and days before he died, sent videos to her about the Cybertruck he'd rented. However in their relationship he exhibited symptoms of TBI and severe PTSD. apnews.com/article/trum...

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The Pentagon reveals that it has, for months, had 2000 troops in Syria, after previously claiming they were only 900. It seems unrelated to Assad’s toppling, but they still claim it’s a temporary increase. Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and Lolita Baldor of @apnews.com: apnews.com/article/syri...

Under a #governmentshutdown "military personnel would not be paid until new funds are appropriated," @PentagonPresSec Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Thursday. Those troops would still be required to report for duty and carry out their missions.

Lovely USAF holiday gathering & Gen Allvin’s LEGO gingerbread house collection

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Washington Journal #CSPAN #CSPANWJ Skeet at @c-span.bsky.social Associated Press Pentagon Correspondent @taracopp.bsky.social discusses potential changes for the Defense Department in the next Trump Administration Watch here: tinyurl.com/5y4pk8xm

First time to moderate an RNDF panel and it was a juicy one - What North Korea got for shipping soldiers to Russia; how U.S. forces responded hours after martial law was declared in Seoul, Taiwan and the incoming Trump administration & what drone threats lie ahead youtube.com/watch?v=E6tC...

”I am a survivor of sexual assault,” Ernst told the largely Republican audience Saturday.

A list of military officers to fire under the Trump administration includes female Air Force officer who had “multiple woke posts” on her X feed …. Including one honoring the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on a stamp. apnews.com/article/hegs...

A bit more #BlueSky for your Friday morning. See you in California! @ReaganInstitute @ReaganDefense

Hegseth would not only be part of the critical command and control of the nation’s nuclear weapons, he would be sixth in the line of succession to the presidency.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, has not served in the military or had a civilian leadership role in the service. @spettyjohn.bsky.social apnews.com/article/trum...

“We will be ready to step in whenever and wherever a domestic journalist needs us to.” Amid unprecedented efforts to disenfranchise journalists, The National Press Club is stepping up and launching a new press freedom center - with a $500,000 grant to get started @PressClubDC @mccarrennews

We're in the stage of the transition where a bunch of things are being floated, but we took a look at what the reports of the incoming administration discharging all transgender service members would do - @ktoropin.bsky.social and Tom Novelly

A bit more #BlueSky on a perfect fall day for a bike ride

The full scope of @mississippitoday.org ‘s fight to preserve reporter independence and the ability to protect sources needs to be on everyone’s radar. We’re celebrating them tonight at The National Press Club. freedom.press/issues/state...

(AP) - A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by @PeteHegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report made public late Wednesday. apnews.com/article/hegs...

We’re moving more into video at AP to meet news consumers where they’re at, which today meant being on TikTok for the first time. If it gets new people to engage and become regular consumers - totally worth it. www.tiktok.com/@apnews/vide...

Two days into my BlueSky account and I’ve already forgotten and had to reset my password …

After being grounded for months following a crash last November that killed eight U.S. service members in Japan, the V-22 Osprey is back in the air. But there are still questions as to whether it should be. Our monthslong investigation into the Osprey's safety: apnews.com/osprey-safet...