Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026As 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: 0198
Reposted by Dan LamotheDan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026NEW: "General, the time for assessments is over." Tense deliberations ahead of Operation Rough Rider foreshadowed Iran challenges to come wapo.st/470nxZMwapo.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. 24911
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026NEW: "General, the time for assessments is over." Tense deliberations ahead of Operation Rough Rider foreshadowed Iran challenges to come wapo.st/470nxZMwapo.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. 24911
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/10/2026It'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. 46321
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/10/2026The 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/4hUh6xrwapo.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. 86238
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 22/09/2026The 21st night of September is the Temu version of the April 25 "perfect date." Need a light jacket for both, though. 1160
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Reachable on Signal for encrypted news tips at danlamothe.30 Thank you! 0143
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 11/09/2026I 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. 0495
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 11/09/2026I'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. 1332
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Trump said the top U.S. general was at the midterm convention. It’s not true. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...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. 64714
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/08/2026EXCLUSIVE: 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.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. 1001366648
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Another @washingtonpost.com exclusive: Numerous four-star military leaders warn Hegseth against extending Iran war operations 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. 612443
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 26/08/2026EXCLUSIVE: 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.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. 24420
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 15/08/2026ANOTHER 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.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. 268223
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 13/08/2026EXCLUSIVE: 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.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. 44483130
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 12/08/2026The 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. 37516112
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 12/08/2026SCOOP: 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/3S47ztGwapo.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. 2371510518
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 11/08/2026Have 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. 720742
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 11/08/2026EXCLUSIVE: 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.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. 1220259
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 31/07/2026And 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. 513748
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Transparency 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. 18032
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Trump begins construction of unannounced White House helipad for Marine One helicopters: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...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. 42014
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 24/06/2026New: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stonewalled internal efforts to extend Gen. Chris Donahue's career, sources tell The Washington Post. wapo.st/3SJrmhPwapo.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. 04416
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 22/06/2026News tips, as always, appreciated. I'm on Signal at danlamothe.30 0127
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 10/06/2026Laura Loomer is among those traveling with Secretary Hegseth today to Guantanamo Bay. 185524
Reposted by Dan LamotheThe New York Times @nytimes.com · 06/06/2026President Trump has pardoned Stephen Buyer, a former Republican representative from Indiana who was convicted of insider trading in 2023.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. 54197113
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 06/06/2026Hegseth 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." 7241552280
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." 1313
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 06/06/2026EXCLUSIVE: Navy SEAL family says Hegseth and Trump Jr. ‘ghosted’ them on war-zone death investigation With text messages. Gift link: wapo.st/3RQNsPawapo.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. 918393
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 01/06/2026You can send your encrypted news tips at danlamothe.30 With thanks. 23313
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 01/06/2026NEW: 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/4fZu2kWwapo.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... 127958
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/05/2026Two 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. 2213
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 29/05/2026One 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. 116326
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 29/05/2026NEW: 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/49wqqDfwapo.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. 2516383
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. 0266
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 26/05/2026NEW: Trump administration proposes NDAs for all federal workers www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...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. 2105
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 25/05/2026“For love of country they accepted death.” — James A. Garfield 0285
Reposted by Dan LamotheDan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Trump 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.socialwashingtonpost.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. 95827
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/4dxZ9Bjwapo.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. 44613
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Up on Signal for encrypted, confidential tips: danlamothe.30 With thanks. 0143
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.” 1213
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/05/2026In 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.” 3140
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/05/2026One 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.” 0162
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/05/2026NEW: Pete Hegseth tightens control at Pentagon, defiant and more confident than ever Lots of new details here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...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. 12114
Reposted by Dan LamotheThe Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 30/04/2026FEMA 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.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. 146731
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 30/04/2026Timeline cleanse: Toweling off the pup tonight after getting caught in the rain. 2633
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Pete 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. 29825
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 23/04/2026John Phelan forced out as Navy secretary after 13 months www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...washingtonpost.comJohn Phelan forced out as Navy secretary after 13 monthsThe billionaire was a significant contributor to President Donald Trump’s campaign, but officials said he clashed repeatedly with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. 0429