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Dan Lamothe

@danlamothe.bsky.social
26K followers 250 following 670 posts

Military affairs reporter with The Washington Post. State-school alum. Beer-league softball enthusiast. Dog guy. Signal for encrypted tips: danlamothe.30

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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
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:
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
NEW: "General, the time for assessments is over." Tense deliberations ahead of Operation Rough Rider foreshadowed Iran challenges to come wapo.st/470nxZM
wapo.st
A Pentagon dispute 18 months ago was prelude to problems in Iran
The 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
NEW: "General, the time for assessments is over." Tense deliberations ahead of Operation Rough Rider foreshadowed Iran challenges to come wapo.st/470nxZM
wapo.st
A Pentagon dispute 18 months ago was prelude to problems in Iran
The 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
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
wapo.st
Pentagon prepares for potential surge of naval forces in Middle East
The 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The 21st night of September is the Temu version of the April 25 "perfect date." Need a light jacket for both, though.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Reachable on Signal for encrypted news tips at danlamothe.30 Thank you!
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Trump said the top U.S. general was at the midterm convention. It’s not true. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
washingtonpost.com
Trump 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
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.com
Pentagon secretly installs military influencers in civilian roles
Conservative veterans with large social media followings have been hired by the Defense Department and are amplifying Pete Hegseth’s culture-war fights.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Another @washingtonpost.com exclusive: Numerous four-star military leaders warn Hegseth against extending Iran war operations www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
washingtonpost.com
Military leaders warn Hegseth against extending Iran war operations
A recent classified assessment advised that prolonged large-scale operations in the Middle East risk weakening U.S. capabilities elsewhere.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
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.com
Before Hegseth fired him, top general was advised to drop Kid Rock probe
Gen. 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
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.com
Navy weighs major warship redesign to match Trump’s preferences
The president wants the new fleet of aircraft carriers to more resemble those from World War II. Such a change could cost billions.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
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...
washingtonpost.com
CIA had ‘low confidence’ in Iranian threat before Trump switched planes in Turkey
CIA had doubts about Israeli intelligence on a threat to Trump in Turkey that prompted an extraordinary secret flight.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
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
wapo.st
Close Trump aides — but no Cabinet officials — made secret catering truck move
The 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
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...
washingtonpost.com
Contradicting public statements, Trump took secret flight from Turkey amid Iranian threat
The 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Trump begins construction of unannounced White House helipad for Marine One helicopters: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
washingtonpost.com
Trump begins construction of unannounced White House helipad
The 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
New: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stonewalled internal efforts to extend Gen. Chris Donahue's career, sources tell The Washington Post. wapo.st/3SJrmhP
wapo.st
Hegseth thwarted internal efforts to extend top Army general’s career
Gen. Christopher Donahue, seen as a top warfighter, is the latest apparent casualty in a purge of senior military leaders by the Trump administration.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
News tips, as always, appreciated. I'm on Signal at danlamothe.30
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Laura Loomer is among those traveling with Secretary Hegseth today to Guantanamo Bay.
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Reposted by Dan Lamothe
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 06/06/2026
President Trump has pardoned Stephen Buyer, a former Republican representative from Indiana who was convicted of insider trading in 2023.
nyti.ms
Trump Pardons Former Congressman Convicted of Insider Trading
Stephen Buyer, a former Republican representative from Indiana, was convicted of trading stock related to two deals before they were made public.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
This per the traveling press pool report
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
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."
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
"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."
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Navy SEAL family says Hegseth and Trump Jr. ‘ghosted’ them on war-zone death investigation With text messages. Gift link: wapo.st/3RQNsPa
wapo.st
Family angry Hegseth, Trump Jr. ‘ghosted’ them on SEAL’s death investigation
Cmdr. Job Price’s death was ruled a suicide. But irregularities raised suspicions among his loved ones and others.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
You can send your encrypted news tips at danlamothe.30 With thanks.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
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
wapo.st
Pentagon bans journalists from press office, designating it a classified space
The 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...
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
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
wapo.st
Pentagon recruiting troops to watch White House UFC fights, memos show
Internal messages reviewed by The Post stipulate that military personnel must pay their own ways and meet strict physical requirements to be eligible.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
"Most transparent administration ever"? In this move, the Trump administration seeks to crack down on the disclosure of *unclassified* information.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
NEW: Trump administration proposes NDAs for all federal workers www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
Trump administration proposes NDAs for all federal workers
The rule, aimed at cracking down on leaks to media organizations, would expand nondisclosure agreements instituted at the Pentagon and other agencies.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
“For love of country they accepted death.” — James A. Garfield
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Reposted by Dan Lamothe
Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
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
washingtonpost.com
Trump plans to build helipad at White House
The longtime helicopter owner is addressing a persistent problem: The new Marine One helicopters have a history of burning grass.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
. @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
wapo.st
Admiral accuses lawmaker of ‘inappropriate’ remark at Iran war hearing
Adm. 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Up on Signal for encrypted, confidential tips: danlamothe.30 With thanks.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
“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.”
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
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.”
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
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.”
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
NEW: Pete Hegseth tightens control at Pentagon, defiant and more confident than ever Lots of new details here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
washingtonpost.com
Hegseth tightens control at Pentagon, defiant and more confident than ever
Trump’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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
I vote for finding him cutting off-ball more
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Reposted by Dan Lamothe
The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 30/04/2026
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.
washingtonpost.com
FEMA aims to rehire most of the disaster-response employees it fired months ago
The 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.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Timeline cleanse: Toweling off the pup tonight after getting caught in the rain.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Pete Hegseth today repeated a false zombie claim to lawmakers that 197 generals were removed from their jobs during the Obama years. That figure: 1) Included many who were NOT generals or admirals 2) Included many officers who were removed for cause for disciplinary issues. It's not the same.
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Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
John Phelan forced out as Navy secretary after 13 months www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
washingtonpost.com
John Phelan forced out as Navy secretary after 13 months
The billionaire was a significant contributor to President Donald Trump’s campaign, but officials said he clashed repeatedly with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
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