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Connor O’Brien

@connorobriennh.bsky.social
1.6K followers 261 following 49 posts

Defense reporter covering Congress for POLITICO | ask me if the NDAA is a ‘defense spending bill’ | send tips and sage grouse gifs: cobrien@politico.com

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Reposted by Connor O’Brien
PEN Guild @pen-guild.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
And yet @politico.com uses AI that sends glaring errors to our subscribers and violates our ethics standards. Tell POLITICO management to follow it's own rules for accurate, ethical journalism and sign our petition. actionnetwork.org/petitions/ai...
actionnetwork.org
Tell POLITICO Management: AI should work with journalists, not against us!
Last year, PEN Guild members ratified a groundbreaking first contract that included some of the strongest provisions in the industry around artificial intelligence. These protections not only gave uni...
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Congress is out, but lawmakers are in Munich and hearing from allies concerned about Trump's push for talks with Russia. And Republican supporters of Ukraine are grappling with the administration’s actions. www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
politico.com
Republicans struggle with unified response to Trump's plan for Ukraine peace talks
Lawmakers' reactions underscore the challenge Republicans face as they try to make sense of the administration’s efforts to end the Ukraine war.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
SecDef Pete Hegseth made a “rookie mistake” when he said returning to Ukraine’s pre-war borders “unrealistic,” SASC Chair Roger Wicker said. “I don’t know who wrote the speech—it is the kind of thing Tucker Carlson could have written, and Carlson is a fool,” he said. www.politico.eu/article/sena...
politico.eu
Senior Republican senator ‘puzzled’ and ‘disturbed’ by Hegseth’s Ukraine remarks
Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker is breaking with the line from the Trump White House.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
BREAKING: Senate advances Pete Hegseth’s nomination to be defense secretary, 51-49. Tees up a confirmation vote in ~30 hours. Two Republicans opposed moving forward with Hegseth: Collins and Murkowski.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
The list of executive orders repealed by Trump includes Biden’s directive allowing transgender people to serve in the military, which reversed the ban from Trump’s first term.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Senate Armed Services advanced Pete Hegseth’s nomination in a 14-13 party-line vote. A confirmation vote is expected later this week. www.politico.com/live-updates...
politico.com
Senate committee advances Hegseth to lead Pentagon
The full chamber is likely to vote on his nomination later this week.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Pete Hegseth countered controversies around his nomination with denials, memory holes and attacking the “left-wing” media at his confirmation hearing. That strategy may work for him — along with other Trump nominees. www.politico.com/news/2025/01...
politico.com
Hegseth’s defense: Deny, blame and shrug
“How many senators have shown up drunk to vote at night?” one Republican senator asked in support of the Pentagon chief pick.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
House Dems named nine new members of the Armed Services Committee yesterday: Jason Crow Gil Cisneros Eric Sorensen Maggie Goodlander Sarah Elfreth George Whitesides Derek Tran Eugene Vindman Wesley Bell
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Reposted by Connor O’Brien
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Turf war breaks out over DC fighter jet squadron-RFK stadium deal www.politico.com/news/2025/01... @reporterjoe.bsky.social Daniel Lippman and @connorobriennh.bsky.social
politico.com
Turf war breaks out over DC fighter jet squadron-RFK stadium deal
Critics warn the transfer of a D.C. National Guard unit puts the nation’s capital in jeopardy.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Senate Armed Services top Dem Jack Reed says following his meeting with SecDef pick Pete Hegseth: “Today’s meeting did not relieve my concerns about Mr. Hegseth’s lack of qualifications and raised more questions than answers.”
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers announced his slate of subcommittee chairs... Cyber: Don Bacon Intel/Special Ops: Ronny Jackson Personnel: Pat Fallon Readiness: Jack Bergman Seapower: Trent Kelly Strategic Forces: Scott DesJarlais Tactical: Rob Wittman
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
Biden on Monday signed an $895 billion Pentagon policy bill despite language he said he “strongly opposes” that restricts medical treatment for transgender youth. www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
politico.com
Biden signs defense bill despite transgender care restrictions
Lawmakers removed some of the most controversial provisions during negotations on a final bill.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
In an NDAA statement, Biden criticizes care restrictions for transgender youth (which he just signed into law). Says it undercuts the force by denying care to troops’ kids. “No service member should have to decide between their family’s health care access and their call to serve our Nation.”
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
NEW: Biden has signed the NDAA into law after it cleared Congress last week.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
The 14 senators who voted NO on the NDAA just now: D: Baldwin, Booker, Kim, Markey, Merkley, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren, Welch, Wyden R: Braun, Lee, Paul I: Sanders
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
NEW: Senate passes the NDAA, 85-14. The defense bill now heads to President Joe Biden to sign.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
NEW: Text of the CR to fund the government through March 14th has been released. All 1,547 pages of it: docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
docs.house.gov
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Reposted by Connor O’Brien
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
SCOOP: Trump donor Andrew McKenna is a leading contender for secretary of the Air Force, according to three people close to the transition www.politico.com/live-updates... by Jack Detsch @connorobriennh.bsky.social @reporterjoe.bsky.social
politico.com
Trump eyes donor for Air Force chief
Andrew McKenna would be the latest Pentagon pick without experience in the building.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Per a person familiar, the House GOP Steering Committee selected 7 new members for the Armed Services Committee on Monday: Derrick Van Orden Mark Messmer John McGuire Derek Schmidt Pat Harrigan Abe Hamadeh Jeff Crank
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
The 12 votes against ending debate on the final NDAA in the Senate: D: Baldwin, Booker, Markey, Merkley, Schatz, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren R: Lee, Paul I: Sanders
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
NDAA advances: Senate votes 83-12 to end debate on the defense bill. Actually similar to last year’s cloture vote (85-15). Final vote could happen as early as Tuesday.
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Reposted by Connor O’Brien
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
Hegseth softens some of his tougher stances in his quest to win votes from centrists www.politico.com/news/2024/12... @reporterjoe.bsky.social @connorobriennh.bsky.social
politico.com
Hegseth walks back controversial comments on women and gays in the military
The Pentagon pick backtracked after conversations with Republican senators seen as potential swing votes.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Schumer has set up a cloture vote on the NDAA at 5:30pm on Monday when the Senate returns. That means the defense bill could be cleared as early as Tuesday. (If Schumer can get a time agreement.)
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
House Armed Services top Dem Adam Smith tells Bloomberg of his former House colleague Tulsi Gabbard: "She didn't do that much on the committee that I noticed." He also notes the concerns about her stances on Syria, Russia and Ukraine.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Schumer filed cloture on the NDAA agreement this morning after the House cleared it yesterday. That sets up a procedural vote with a 60-vote majority next week, and passage after that.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Selected Dems who voted for NDAA, despite transgender language: -Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries -Dem Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar -Approps Chair Rosa DeLauro -NJ governor candidates Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill -Former Dem leaders Hoyer and Clyburn www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
politico.com
House passes major Pentagon bill despite Dem revolt over transgender health care
The fight over medical care for transgender children overshadowed many of the bipartisan provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
NEW: The House passed an $895 billion defense bill Wednesday, but lawmakers were split over language barring gender affirming medical care for transgender kids. Just 81 Dems voted for the NDAA, which passed 281-140. www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
politico.com
House passes major Pentagon bill despite Dem revolt over transgender health care
The fight over medical care for transgender children overshadowed many of the bipartisan provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.
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Reposted by Connor O’Brien
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
SCOOP: Sen. John Fetterman plans to meet with Pete Hegseth on Thursday, making him the first Senate Democrat to sit down with Donald Trump's embattled pick for Pentagon chief www.politico.com/live-updates... @reporterjoe.bsky.social @connorobriennh.bsky.social
politico.com
Fetterman agrees to meet with Hegseth
The Pennsylvania lawmaker will be the first Senate Democrat to meet with Trump’s controversial pick to run the Pentagon.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers not happy about Johnson pushing transgender medical care language in NDAA. He predicts passage will be close because Dems won't help. "We would have 375, 380 votes but for that one provision, which is irrelevant after January 20," he says.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
JUST IN: Top House Armed Services Dem Adam Smith will oppose the NDAA over the prohibiting coverage for medical treatments for transgender kids. He says Mike Johnson “chose to pander to the most extreme elements of his party in an attempt to retain his speakership.”
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
House clears the rule to debate NDAA, 211-207. Debate and a final vote on the defense bill should happen Wednesday or Thursday.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Coming up: House votes on the rule to start debate on the final NDAA. Dems hoping a few Rs defect and they can force Speaker Mike Johnson to remove a prohibition on coverage of medical treatment for transgender youth and bring it back up under suspension.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
This is the dynamic to watch on the NDAA: do Rs have the votes on their side for the rule on the floor? If so, it probably passes despite language on medical care for transgender youth. Some Dems would likely support an NDAA that’s far less conservative than what the House originally passed.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
A compromise defense bill is expected to get a vote in the House this week. But there's a potential snag over Republican-backed transgender language that made the final NDAA. House Armed Services top Dem Adam Smith tells me he's unsure how he'll vote. www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
politico.com
Defense bill could hit last-minute snag over transgender provision
A top Democrat now says he's uncertain whether he will vote for the policy bill that he helped craft.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
NEW: House Armed Services top Dem Adam Smith says he’s undecided on how he’ll vote on the NDAA he just finished negotiating over Republican-backed transgender language that made it into the final bill. www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
politico.com
Defense bill could hit last-minute snag over transgender provision
A top Democrat now says he's uncertain whether he will vote for the policy bill that he helped craft.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
NDAA text has been filed. Votes expected in the House next week. Text: docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
docs.house.gov
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Mitch McConnell just now in a speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum: "Let’s be absolutely clear: America will not be made great again by those who are content to manage our decline,” McConnell said, paraphrasing Trump’s longtime campaign slogan. www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
politico.com
McConnell takes indirect swipe at Trump on America's role in the world
"America will not be made great again by those who are content to manage our decline," he said.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Leaving a meeting with Sen. Ron Johnson this afternoon , Pete Hegseth vows to continue his bid to be Trump’s defense secretary. “I'm proud to be here, and as long as Donald Trump wants me in this fight, I'm going to be standing right here in this fight,” Hegseth told reporters.
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Reposted by Connor O’Brien
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Sen. Roger Wicker said Pete Hegseth vowed that he won’t drink if confirmed as defense secretary. “I think that's probably a good idea,” Wicker said. “You know, President Trump doesn't drink” www.politico.com/live-updates... @ursulaperano.bsky.social @adragna.bsky.social @connorobriennh.bsky.social
politico.com
Hegseth’s future as Defense secretary hangs by a thread
Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon vowed to senators on Wednesday that he would stop drinking if confirmed.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
So how much trouble is Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Pentagon in? As one GOP senator put it: “A lot.” w/ @ursulaperano.bsky.social @adragna.bsky.social @reporterjoe.bsky.social www.politico.com/live-updates...
politico.com
Hegseth’s future as Defense secretary hangs by a thread
Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon vowed to senators on Wednesday that he would stop drinking if confirmed.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
NEW: Tammy Duckworth took the unorthodox step of asking Trump to wade into a legislative debate before he becomes president—urging him to support her proposal to expand IVF coverage for military personnel in the NDAA, citing his campaign pledge to cover IVF costs. www.politico.com/live-updates...
politico.com
Tammy Duckworth urges Trump to endorse expansion of IVF coverage for military
The Senate Democrat wrote a letter to the president-elect pushing him to follow through on his campaign promise.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Pete Hegseth told reporters Wednesday morning that President-elect Donald Trump has told him to “keep fighting” as he faces serious doubts about his ability to get confirmed as Defense Secretary. www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
politico.com
Hegseth: Trump told me to ‘keep fighting’
He faces serious doubts about his ability to get confirmed as Defense secretary.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Trump has selected Stephen Feinberg — billionaire financier with no Pentagon experience — to be deputy defense secretary. www.politico.com/live-updates...
politico.com
Trump picks billionaire investor as Pentagon deputy
Stephen Feinberg, who had a role on Trump’s intelligence advisory board during his first term, is a major donor to the president-elect, but his selection could present some significant conflicts of in...
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Pete Hegseth is back in the Senate today to meet with more Republicans. Trump's SecDef pick is meeting with Sens. Ted Budd, Jim Risch, and Eric Schmitt. w/ @reporterjoe.bsky.social www.politico.com/live-updates...
politico.com
Hegseth starts to branch out to shore up Pentagon bid
Hegseth is set to meet with at least three Republicans this afternoon.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
NEW: Senate confirms stalled promotion for Army general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal. www.politico.com/live-updates...
politico.com
Senate confirms stalled promotion for general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal
Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue was conspicuously excluded from a batch of routine military nominees confirmed before Thanksgiving.
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Reposted by Connor O’Brien
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Senate confirms stalled promotion for general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal www.politico.com/live-updates... @connorobriennh.bsky.social @politico.com
politico.com
Senate confirms stalled promotion for general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal
Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue was conspicuously excluded from a batch of routine military nominees confirmed before Thanksgiving.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
The Senate tonight confirmed Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue, who was involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal, to be promoted to four-star general and command Army Europe and Africa. Sen. Markwayne Mullin had placed a hold on his promotion before Thanksgiving and please to have dropped it.
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Connor O’Brien @connorobriennh.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
BREAKING: Raul Grijalva has dropped out of the race for the top Dem spot on the House Natural Resources Committee, essentially handing the job to Jared Huffman, who was challenging him. @nicholaswu12.bsky.social @daniellamicaela.bsky.social www.politico.com/live-updates...
politico.com
Grijalva drops out of race for top Democratic spot on Natural Resources panel
The decision could help Democrats avoid a generational clash over the leadership position.
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Reposted by Connor O’Brien
Peter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Hegseth was forced to step down by two nonprofit veterans groups that he ran in the face of serious allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct, @JaneMayerNYer reports. www.newyorker.com/news/news-de...
newyorker.com
Pete Hegseth’s Secret History
A whistle-blower report and other documents suggest that Trump’s nominee to run the Pentagon was forced out of previous leadership positions for financial mismanagement, sexist behavior, and being rep...
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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
BREAKING: Biden pardons Hunter
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