Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 29/05/2025Big news: Today I crossed the Brimley/Cocoon Line, which means I'm the same age that Wilford Brimley was when "Cocoon" was released in theaters brimleyline.date 3230
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 07/05/2025Duffy vs. Hegseth: Friction over air safety erupts in Trump’s Cabinet www.politico.com/news/2025/05... @oriana0214.bsky.social @politico.com 2142
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 07/05/2025Trump plans to announce the US will call the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf, officials tell AP apnews.com/article/trum...apnews.comTrump plans to announce the US will call the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf, officials tell APPresident Donald Trump plans to announce next week that the U.S. will refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia. 2120
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 06/05/2025BREAKING: Trump can proceed with his plan to ban transgender people from the military, including by removing those currently serving, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday www.politico.com/news/2025/05...politico.comSupreme Court lets Trump ban transgender people from militaryNeither the majority nor the dissenters provided any reasoning for their positions. 230
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 02/05/2025The Space Force has released a video that uses stock footage from Russia 112
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 23/04/2025The vicious rivalries tearing apart Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon www.politico.com/news/2025/04... @politico.compolitico.comThe vicious rivalries tearing apart Pete Hegseth’s PentagonA feud between the secretary's advisers and his chief of staff created backbiting and distrust that has erupted into the open. 144
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 23/04/2025NEW TODAY: A MAGA-aligned group that pledged last month to take a “smash-mouth” approach to defending Pete Hegseth and have his back “100 percent” has all but gone silent www.politico.com/news/2025/04... @adamwren.bsky.socialpolitico.comGroup boosting Hegseth goes quietThe Defense secretary has come under heavy scrutiny amid reports of dysfunction at the Pentagon. 042
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 17/04/2025NEW TONIGHT: John Ullyot, the former DOD spokesperson who was sidelined over the Jackie Robinson flap, is leaving the Pentagon www.politico.com/news/2025/04...politico.comTop Pentagon official at center of Jackie Robinson controversy to resignJohn Ullyot’s departure comes during a week of upheaval at the Defense Department. 012
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 16/04/2025BREAKING: A third DOD official has been put on leave and escorted out of the Pentagon on suspicion of leaking. Colin Carroll is chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg www.politico.com/news/2025/04...politico.comThird top Pentagon official suspended in leak investigationColin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, was suspended a day after two other political appointees were placed on leave. 710244
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 16/04/2025SCOOP: Not one, but two top advisers to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have been marched out of the Pentagon following a leak investigation www.politico.com/news/2025/04... @politico.compolitico.comTwo top Pentagon officials placed on leave in leak probeThe disclosures under investigation include Elon Musk’s visit to the Pentagon. 2726599
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 02/04/2025NEW: Waltz’s team set up at least 20 Signal group chats for crises across the world www.politico.com/news/2025/04... @politico.compolitico.comWaltz’s team set up at least 20 Signal group chats for crises across the worldIt’s a more extensive use of the app than previously reported and sheds new light on how commonly the Trump administration’s national security team relies on Signal. 02612
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 14/03/2025Trump says ‘thousands’ of Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Kursk; Ukraine says that’s ‘untrue’ www.politico.eu/article/dona...politico.euTrump says ‘thousands’ of Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Kursk; Ukraine says that’s ‘untrue’Ukraine insists its troops aren’t surrounded, but they are pulling back from areas they captured last summer. 141
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 12/03/2025Greenlanders say no to Trump as rare earths loom over coalition talks www.politico.eu/article/gree...politico.euGreenlanders say no to Trump as rare earths loom over coalition talksElection throws up surprise result as independence from Denmark remains tough to define. 082
Reposted by Dave BrownLaura Kayali @laukaya.bsky.social · 11/03/2025The Netherlands doesn’t plan to cancel F-35 deals. Asked whether the Dutch government would consider cancelling contracts for the warplanes, Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans replied: “No. Our entire air force and fighter jet fleet is based on the F-35.” pro.politico.eu/news/195353pro.politico.euPOLITICO Pro 123
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 07/03/2025“It’s exceedingly odd. I have never heard of any such thing. I can’t even imagine what the purpose is, other than to terrorize the civilian workforce.” www.politico.com/news/2025/03...politico.comIKEA beds? Dressers? Inside the ‘exceedingly odd’ DOGE office setupDetails of the arrangements at GSA offer a window into the lifestyle of DOGE workers. 022
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 05/03/2025This Pentagon Press Secretary Has a Long History of Bigoted and Xenophobic Posts www.motherjones.com/politics/202...motherjones.comThis Pentagon press secretary has a long history of bigoted and xenophobic posts“Be unapologetically right-wing. It will pay off.” 001
Reposted by Dave BrownNahal Toosi @nahaltoosi.bsky.social · 05/03/2025NEW COLUMN: Trump has yet to create a new world order. Instead, what we have is a period of disorientation. And countries (like, say, Lesotho) need to prepare for worst-case scenarios. www.politico.com/news/magazin...politico.comAmerica’s Friends Are Not Amused by Trump’s BravadoThe president’s speech offers no reprieve for countries that have long relied on Washington. 084
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 05/03/2025Trump touts DOGE success, but the numbers are fuzzy www.politico.com/live-updates...politico.comTrump touts DOGE success, but the numbers are fuzzyThe president touted "hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud" uncovered by DOGE. 120
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 05/03/2025If you put "Doja Cat" in place of "DOGE cuts" in headlines, it makes her seem quite powerful 070
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 04/03/2025Zelenskyy says it is ‘time to make things right’ after Oval Office blowup www.politico.com/news/2025/03...politico.comZelenskyy says it is ‘time to make things right’ after Oval Office blowupThe Ukrainian president said he and his team is “ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts." 101
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 28/02/2025Well, technically it will be once it's no longer February 28 162
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 28/02/2025The first big challenge for Donald Trump’s top military adviser pick isn’t the Ukraine-Russia war or even his lack of qualifications. It’s the legend about a red MAGA hat www.politico.com/news/2025/02... @paulmcleary.bsky.socialpolitico.comMAGA hat drama could taint Trump’s top military adviser pickThe president said Dan Caine once offered to kill for him and slapped a signature red hat on his head, a violation of military rules. 223
Reposted by Dave BrownTara Copp @taracopp.bsky.social · 27/02/2025The @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...apnews.comVA pauses billions in cuts lauded by Musk as lawmakers and veterans decry loss of critical careThe Department of Veterans Affairs has temporarily suspended billions of dollars in contract cuts after an uproar that critical veterans health services were harmed, lawmakers and veterans service org... 16342201
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 26/02/2025Trump, in a continued effort to replace Pentagon officials, hinted his administration would fire the military leaders involved in the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. “They’re going to be largely gone,” he said www.politico.com/news/2025/02... @paulmcleary.bsky.socialpolitico.comTrump signals more firings of military leadersSenior officers involved in the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan are “going to be largely gone,” he said. 103
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 26/02/2025Trump confirms Zelenskyy agreement, White House visit www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comTrump confirms Zelenskyy agreement, White House visitThe president said the U.S. has agreed on a mineral rights deal with Ukraine, finalizing plans for a Friday meeting in Washington. 002
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 26/02/2025OTTAWA — More than 242,000 Canadians have signed a petition calling for Elon Musk’s passport and citizenship to be revoked over his ties to President Donald Trump, who has taken repeated shots at Canada’s sovereignty www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comCanadians to Elon Musk: You’re not one of us“People are really angry,” Ottawa lawmaker says of petition to revoke the citizenship of Trump’s unofficial right-hand man. 120
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 26/02/2025Congressional Republicans start backing away from Musk www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comCongressional Republicans start backing away from MuskThe tech mogul hinted he might wade into spending negotiations again ahead of the next government funding deadline. 040
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 25/02/2025Defense deputy secretary pick avoids saying Russia invaded Ukraine www.politico.com/news/2025/02... @reporterjoe.bsky.socialpolitico.comDefense deputy secretary pick avoids saying Russia invaded UkraineStephen Feinberg, at his confirmation hearing, signaled he’s unlikely to challenge the Pentagon's striking shift. 013
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 25/02/2025Senior State Dept. officials are compiling a list of additional exemptions to the foreign aid freeze for Ukraine that could give the country access to some economic and security-related assistance currently on hold www.politico.com/news/2025/02... @nahaltoosi.bsky.social @reporterjoe.bsky.socialpolitico.comState Department officials pushing to release more frozen Ukraine fundsThe efforts highlight internal discord inside the Trump administration over how to treat Kyiv. 276
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 25/02/2025The White House announced on Tuesday that the administration — not an independent group of journalists — will determine which outlets have access to the president as part of a pool allowed into the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One and other events www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comWhite House says it will determine which reporters have access to the president“All journalists, outlets and voices deserve a seat at this highly coveted table,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. 132815
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 25/02/2025🎶 Mama don't take my Golden Dome Mama don't take my Golden Dome Mama don't take my Golden Dome awayyyy 🎶 010
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 25/02/2025SCOOP: A group of military contractors, including Erik Prince, has pitched the White House on a proposal to carry out mass deportations through a network of “processing camps” on military bases, a private fleet of 100 planes, and a “small army” of private citizens www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comTrump allies circulate mass deportation plan calling for ‘processing camps’ and a private citizen ‘army’The group, led by Blackwater veteran Erik Prince, has close Trump ties. 11212
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 24/02/2025The Trump administration is backing off Elon Musk’s weekend mandate that federal employees submit five things they accomplished in the last week or face dismissal ahead of a Monday evening deadline www.politico.com/news/2025/02... @meganmesserly.bsky.socialpolitico.comTrump administration backs off Musk’s 5 things threatAn administration official said it is "not a one-size-fits-all" approach. 020
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 23/02/2025The first comprehensive public listing of the billions of dollars in purported savings Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is making across federal contracts is filled with errors, according to a POLITICO review of the published data www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comDOGE shared its receipts — and some of them don’t match“Everyone is very well-aware they’re repeating the wrong numbers,” said one manager at a company on DOGE’s list of cuts. 066
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 23/02/2025Musk’s weekend threat to federal workers triggered panic and confusion Sunday as administration officials rushed to issue sometimes conflicting guidance, setting in motion a power struggle between Musk and agency heads appointed by Trump. www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comEmail starts power clash between Musk and agency leaders — even the Trump loyalistsThe response to Elon Musk’s “What did you do last week?” threat is the first sign that even staunch White House allies are beginning to flex their political muscle against him. 031
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 21/02/2025BREAKING: The Pentagon is planning to fire 5,400 civilian employees starting next week as it prepares to eliminate 8 percent of its civilian workforce, the department announced Friday www.politico.com/news/2025/02... @paulmcleary.bsky.socialpolitico.comPentagon prepares to fire thousands of civilian employees in dramatic cullingThe Department of Defense is preparing to eliminate 8 percent of its civilian workforce 75332
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 21/02/2025“Their approach is different than last week. Precision is the priority right now,” said one White House official, adding that there is now a sensitivity or reluctance to fire anyone in the veteran community www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.com‘Precision is the priority’: Trump administration appears to slow mass firingsOne White House official says there is now a reluctance to fire veterans. 001
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 21/02/2025Top Trump allies are in an escalating clash with Republican defense hawks, viewing them as obstacles standing in the way of a thorough remaking of U.S. foreign policy that would realign the world order with Trump’s America First vision www.politico.com/news/2025/02... @elistokols.bsky.socialpolitico.comMAGA takes aim at the hawksTrump loyalists are sending a message to the GOP’s foreign policy traditionalists. 010
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 21/02/202529 times Donald Trump did what Putin wanted www.politico.eu/article/dona...politico.eu29 times Donald Trump did what Putin wantedWhose side is he on? It’s hard to keep up, so here’s a handy guide to America’s new policy of close alignment with the Kremlin. 033
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 21/02/2025Republicans are growing uneasy with cuts impacting veterans, who are given preference in the federal hiring process and have been disproportionately affected by the dismissals. GOP members are also concerned that federal services for vets could be affected www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comThe private GOP panic over the slash-and-burn DOGE firingsWhite House aides are inundated with congressional calls as Republicans fret. 011
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 21/02/2025Musk, after spat with astronaut, calls for deorbiting the International Space Station www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comMusk, after spat with astronaut, calls for deorbiting the International Space StationThe call could drive a historically bipartisan space agency further into political entrenchment. 2417970
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 20/02/2025“To the extent that the White House said that Ukraine started the war, I disagree,” Kennedy said. “I think Vladimir Putin started the war. I also believe, through bitter experience, that Vladimir Putin is a gangster. … I trust this guy like I trust gas station sushi" www.politico.com/news/2025/02...politico.comGOP hawks bristle at Trump’s anti-Ukraine tiradeGOP lawmakers distanced themselves from Trump’s condemnation of Ukraine but still emphasized the president's goal to secure a peace deal to end the three-year-long war. 041
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 19/02/2025Russia rejoices as Trump goes full Kremlin www.politico.eu/article/russ... @politico.eupolitico.euRussia rejoices as Trump goes full Kremlin“He understands our position,” beams Moscow’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov. 094
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 19/02/2025BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is facing fresh scrutiny over an explosive temper after allegedly branding critics of his Ukraine policy “anti-patriotic provincial assholes” during a private dinner with coalition budget lawmakers www.politico.eu/article/germ...politico.euGermany’s Scholz calls rivals ‘anti-patriotic assholes’Beleaguered chancellor was said to be unhappy about criticism of his policy on aid to Ukraine. 010
Dave Brown @davebrown.bsky.social · 19/02/2025Sen. Susan Collins, the senior Republican senator negotiating a deal to avoid a government shutdown in less than one month, says the Trump administration might be breaking the law — and flouting the U.S. Constitution www.politico.com/live-updates...politico.com'You would see lawsuits:' Susan Collins fires new warning shot at Trump on spendingThe chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee is warning the president and his team not to claw back spending from Congress or face legal consequences. 160