The U.S. Army has canceled its Command Assessment Program, which evaluated candidates for promotion and was implemented “with the stated goal of reducing conscious and unconscious biases,” as Military Times <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/09/02/army-cancels-biden-era-promotion-program-aimed-at-eliminating-bias/">reported</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Good riddance. 
Promotions across <a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeptofDefense</a> will ONLY be based on merit &amp; performance. <a href="https://t.co/ttGRGsIByA">pic.twitter.com/ttGRGsIByA</a>
&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1963196274036900249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
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A 2022 <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359139539_Interrupting_Bias_in_Army_Talent_Management">paper</a> published in the U.S. Army War College Quarterly noted of the program:
<blockquote>
The Army’s Command Assessment Program executes a comprehensive battery of evaluations to assess talent for command positions while taking measures to minimize bias. &#8230; A panel conducts double-blind interviews of the candidates behind a screen to limit unconscious bias related to race and ethnicity. Panel members participate in antibias training just before the initial interview process and receive a shorter refresher each day they serve on the panel. 
 Individuals who have previously worked with candidates are asked to complete the Army Commander Evaluation Tool, which is intended to reflect fitness for command and identify counterproductive behaviors. These processes (double-blind interview, bias training, and anonymous peer and subordinate feedback) are notable examples of processes put in place to combat bias and should be considered best practices. 
</blockquote>
“The Army has embraced talent management transformation amid the backdrop of a global pandemic that has altered the way Americans work, and the Army has done so amid civil unrest that has resulted in part from systemic racism,” the paper claimed. “Diversity can refer to both demographics and thought. Diversity of thought, termed ‘cognitive diversity,’ may arise from variations in background, experience and perspective. One framework for diversity consists of primary dimensions, such as age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, race, gender, spiritual beliefs, and class &#8230;”
The Command Assessment Program replaced the Army’s Centralized Selection Board/List, which was not based on peer evaluations and behavioral analysis. “Former Army Secretary Christine Wormuth made CAP an official program of record just days before President Donald Trump took office,” Military Times pointed out.
“More than half of the Army’s senior officers are turning down opportunities to command &#8230; Historically, 85% of those participants have been deemed fit for command. Yet this year, 54% of eligible officers voluntarily chose not to participate &#8212; a significant uptick from the 40% average opt-out rate seen since 2019,” Military.com <a href="https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/12/13/more-half-of-senior-army-officers-are-turning-down-command-consideration.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com">reported</a> last December.

Trump Set To Announce US Space Command Will Move To Alabama

‘Good Riddance’: Army Axes Woke Bias Evaluation Program

'Good Riddance': Army Axes Woke Bias Evaluation Program

Bias

Military

Pete Hegseth

Politics

U.S. Army

Unconscious bias

President Donald Trump is expected to announce a plan to move the United States Space Force Command Headquarters from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Huntsville, Alabama, on Tuesday.
According to several reports, Trump plans to reverse a Biden-era decision to move the Command HQ to Colorado Springs — a move that was itself a reversal of Trump&#8217;s initial plan to locate the branch&#8217;s command headquarters in Huntsville.
Reuters White House Correspondent Nandita Bose shared the news in a post on X, saying, &#8220;The Trump administration is planning to announce as early as Tuesday that it will relocate U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Huntsville, Alabama, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the deliberations via @MichaelStone The decision would reverse a move made under President Joe Biden&#8217;s administration, which had selected Colorado Springs as the permanent home for the military&#8217;s newest combatant command in 2023.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) &#8211; The Trump administration is planning to announce as early as Tuesday that it will relocate U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Huntsville, Alabama, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the…
— Nandita Bose (@nanditab1) <a href="https://twitter.com/nanditab1/status/1962881908066370016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) suggested the move might be coming soon a week prior to the announcement: &#8220;Space Command coming to Huntsville? Count on it. Huntsville was already chosen once before as the home for U.S. Space Command — and for good reason. I remain confident that Alabama is the right place for this mission to take root and thrive.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Space Command coming to Huntsville? Count on it.
Huntsville was already chosen once before as the home for U.S. Space Command — and for good reason. I remain confident that Alabama is the right place for this mission to take root and thrive. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/alpolitics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#alpolitics</a>
📰: <a href="https://twitter.com/waff48?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@waff48</a> <a href="https://t.co/dU45jWSr7u">pic.twitter.com/dU45jWSr7u</a>
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorKayIvey/status/1961101072052928582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
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A number of Republicans argued that Biden&#8217;s decision to move the Space Force Command HQ from Alabama to Colorado was politically motivated — and part of a concerted effort to only build military installations in states that did not have abortion restrictions.
&#8220;My concern is, it looks like it’s payback from the President of the United States – and payback is a very dangerous game,&#8221; Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) said in 2023 during a hearing about the move with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
Radio host Jeff Hunt suggested that Trump could also be hitting back at Colorado over lawsuits against him and his administration.
&#8220;I&#8217;m not saying Trump is right to move Space Force from Colorado. However, having every statewide official constantly bragging about how many lawsuits they have against the president and a Secretary of State who tried to keep him off the ballot sure didn&#8217;t help the situation,&#8221; he said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I&#8217;m not saying Trump is right to move Space Force from Colorado. However, having every statewide official constantly bragging about how many lawsuits they have against the President and a Secretary of State who tried to keep him off the ballot sure didn&#8217;t help the situation.
— Jeff Hunt (@jeffhunt) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffhunt/status/1962910435734409282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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And OANN White House Correspondent Daniel Baldwin noted that cost could also play a role, saying that Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) had said the move could result in nearly half a billion dollars saved.
&#8220;Moving the Space Force Command from Colorado to Alabama will save taxpayers $420,000,000 per Rep. Mike Rogers,&#8221; Baldwin said. &#8220;Erases a politically motivated move from Biden.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Moving the Space Force Command from Colorado to Alabama will save taxpayers $420,000,000 per Rep. Mike Rogers.
Erases a politically motivated move from Biden.
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) <a href="https://twitter.com/baldwin_daniel_/status/1962899093614739651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Space Force

Trump Plans To Relocate Space Force Command HQ To Red State

Alabama

Colorado

Military Bases

United States Space Force

A sophomore football player at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point joined his father in heroically rescuing a man from a burning car just before it became engulfed in flames.
The courageous actions of Army football safety Larry Pickett Jr. and his father Larry Pickett Sr. were caught on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/larry.pickett/videos/629538596878829/?rdid=o63wxWrD2P38qCi2">video</a> as they seized the driver of the car — which was near downed power lines — and carried him away.
“At one point, a woman could be heard screaming: ‘Larry! Come on! Come on! Get him out!’” <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46127559/army-football-player-larry-pickett-jr-rescues-man-burning-vehicle">ESPN</a> reported.
The car smashed into a utility pole in Fort Montgomery, New York, roughly four miles from West Point on Sunday. Pickett Jr. was driving back to the West Point campus with his dad and his sister, Lauren, after having dinner in Manhattan. Lauren took the video of her brother and father pulling the man to safety.
&#8220;Just after Midnight, I watched in awe as my son, Larry Pickett Jr., ran toward a burning vehicle, ignoring the downed power lines crackling around it,&#8221; Pickett Sr. wrote on Facebook. &#8220;With immense courage, he pulled a man to safety, saving him from a fiery fate.&#8221;
&#8220;There was no discussion. My son just jumped right into action,&#8221; Larry Pickett Sr. told <a href="https://abc11.com/post/former-enloe-current-army-football-player-saves-man-burning-car/17705965/">WTVD-TV</a>. &#8220;He mentioned his military training kicked in, and we pulled him out. He took care of him on the side of the road until the police officers got there. And then the fire department got there shortly after.&#8221;
“It&#8217;s just amazing to see him in action. And it&#8217;s just not surprising because we&#8217;ve watched him his whole life do amazing things,” he added.
“We&#8217;re proud of the heroic actions taken Saturday night by Cadet Larry Pickett Jr, a second-year cadet &amp;  @ArmyWP_Football  player, &amp; his father who are seen pulling a driver to safety in a video online taken by the family. Their actions are the embodiment of the @USArmy  Values,” the U.S. Military Academy wrote on X.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We&#8217;re proud of the heroic actions taken Saturday night by Cadet Larry Pickett Jr, a second-year cadet &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/ArmyWP_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArmyWP_Football</a> player, &amp; his father who are seen pulling a driver to safety in a video online taken by the family. Their actions are the embodiment of the <a href="https://twitter.com/USArmy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USArmy</a> Values. <a href="https://t.co/dlccTMwonT">pic.twitter.com/dlccTMwonT</a>
— U.S. Military Academy at West Point (@WestPoint_USMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WestPoint_USMA/status/1962338537719706087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Army Athletic Director Tom Theodorakis echoed, “This is exactly what we strive to develop at  @WestPoint_USMA &amp; @GoArmyWestPoint — leadership, courage, and selfless service. Cadet Larry Pickett Jr. and his father exemplify the values we hold dear, stepping up in a moment of crisis to save a life. Proud to see these traits in action, on and off the fields of friendly strife. Count the brave.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is exactly what we strive to develop at <a href="https://twitter.com/WestPoint_USMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WestPoint_USMA</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/GoArmyWestPoint?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GoArmyWestPoint</a> &#8211; leadership, courage, and selfless service.
Cadet Larry Pickett Jr. and his father exemplify the values we hold dear, stepping up in a moment of crisis to save a life. Proud to see these traits in… <a href="https://t.co/6IyMefpkkp">https://t.co/6IyMefpkkp</a>
— Tom Theodorakis (@TT_Army_AD) <a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Army_AD/status/1962485812013961623?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Larry Pickett Jr

HERO: Army Football Player Rescues Stranger From Burning Car

College Football

Rescue

U.S.

West Point

Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt, the only protester killed during the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach when she was shot by a Capitol police officer, will receive full military funeral honors from the Air Force.
“On behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, I write to extend the offer for Military Funeral Honors for SrA Ashli Babbitt,” Undersecretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/08/28/us-news/jan-6-rioter-ashli-babbitt-gets-air-force-military-funeral-honors/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nypost&amp;utm_source=twitter">wrote</a> to Babbitt’s family. “After reviewing the circumstances of Ashli’s death, and considering the information that has come forward since then, I am persuaded that the previous determination was incorrect.”
Babbitt “served on active duty as a security forces senior airman from 2004 to 2008, then served in both the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, deploying to Afghanistan in 2005, Iraq in 2006, and the United Arab Emirates in 2012 and 2014,” <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/08/28/ashli-babbitt-military-honors-funeral/">The Washington Post reported,</a> adding, “Any service member who was on active duty at the time of their death is eligible, as is any former service member who was honorably discharged.”
Babbitt was 35 when she entered the Capitol building and gained access to a hallway outside “Speaker’s Lobby,” which leads to the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Department of Justice <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/department-justice-closes-investigation-death-ashli-babbitt?utm_source=chatgpt.com">noted,</a> adding, “At the time, the USCP (United States Capitol Police) was evacuating Members from the Chamber, which the mob was trying to enter from multiple doorways.” Babbitt was unarmed at the time.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_campaign=summer&amp;utm_content=editorialsummersale&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">End of Summer Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
The USCP officers used furniture to barricade a set of glass doors separating the hallway and Speaker’s Lobby; three officers positioned themselves between the doors. Protesters broke the glass doors, allowing Babbitt to attempt to climb through one of the doors. An officer inside the Speaker’s Lobby fired one round from his service pistol, which hit Babbitt in the left shoulder. She was taken to Washington Hospital Center, where she later died.
The DOJ decided there was insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the police officer, stating, “Prosecutors would have to prove not only that the officer used force that was constitutionally unreasonable, but that the officer did so ‘willfully, which the Supreme Court has interpreted to mean that the officer acted with a bad purpose to disregard the law. &#8230; the investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber.”
In January 2024, Babbitt’s family members <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/doj-reaches-agreement-principle-settle-lawsuit-brought-family/story?id=121409667">sued</a> the federal government, seeking $30 million, claiming she had been wrongfully killed.
“The lawsuit filed by Babbitt’s family alleged that Babbitt did not go to Washington’ for any unlawful or nefarious purpose,’ had her hands in the air when she was shot and ‘posed no threat to the safety of anyone,’” the Post noted.
In May 2025, the Department of Justice reached a settlement with Ashli Babbitt’s family, <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/05/19/us-news/family-of-jan-6-rioter-ashli-babbitt-gets-5m-settlement-from-trump-admin-reports/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">agreeing</a> later that month to pay them just under $5 million.

Ashli Babbit

Ashli Babbitt Remembered: Air Force To Give Full Military Funeral Honors To Jan. 6 Victim

Air Force

Ashli Babbitt

Capitol Riot

January 6

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that he was putting an end to a program that had for nearly ten years allowed Chinese coders access to Department of Defense cloud systems.
Hegseth shared a video in which he described the &#8220;Digital Escorts&#8221; program — implemented under former President Barack Obama — under which Microsoft employed Chinese coders to &#8220;support sensitive DOD cloud systems&#8221; under the supervision of American contractors.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The use of Chinese Nationals to service Department of Defense cloud environments is over. <a href="https://t.co/jZdcHwKho2">pic.twitter.com/jZdcHwKho2</a>
— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef/status/1960824471683801206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Last month the Department of Defense was made aware of an Obama-Biden era legacy program called Digital Escorts,&#8221; Hegseth began. &#8220;For nearly a decade, Microsoft has used Chinese coders, remotely supervised by U.S. contractors, to support sensitive DOD cloud systems. The program was designed to comply with contracting rules but it exposed the department to unacceptable risk.&#8221;
&#8220;I mean, if you&#8217;re thinking &#8216;America First,&#8217; and common sense, this doesn&#8217;t pass either of those tests,&#8221; Hegseth continued. &#8220;So I initiated an immediate review of this vulnerability and I want to report our initial findings.&#8221;
Hegseth went on to explain that his review had determined that any benefits were not worth the potential risk of allowing Chinese nationals to have that kind of access to sensitive information, especially information pertaining to Defense Department.
&#8220;The use of Chinese Nationals to service Department of Defense cloud environments? It&#8217;s over,&#8221; he declared. &#8220;We&#8217;ve issued a formal letter of concern to Microsoft documenting this breach of trust, and we&#8217;re requiring a third party audit of Microsoft&#8217;s Digital Escort program — including the code and the submissions by Chinese nationals.&#8221;
Hegseth also announced a separate investigation into the program and into all of the Chinese nationals who had been part of it: &#8220;Did they put anything in the code that we didn&#8217;t know about? We&#8217;re going to find out.&#8221;
&#8220;It blows my mind that I&#8217;m even saying these things, it&#8217;s such common sense,&#8221; Hegseth said as he once again reiterated his intent to remove all Chinese employees from access to DOD information. &#8220;We expect vendors doing business with the Department of Defense to put U.S. national security ahead of profit maximization &#8230; This never should have happened in the first place.&#8221;

DOD Secretary Hegseth And Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Caine Brief On Iran Strike

Pete Hegseth Kills Obama-Biden Program That Gave Chinese Coders Access To DOD Cloud Systems

Barack Obama

Communist China

Department of Defense

Joe Biden

Many paid tribute on Tuesday to the 13 American service members who were killed four years earlier in the terrorist attack at Abbey Gate — and President Donald Trump led the charge.
The attack was carried out by ISIS-K terrorists on August 26, 2021, and targeted the chaos and crowds at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan — chaos that might have been avoided altogether if President Joe Biden had not so badly botched the plan to end the war and evacuate American service members, civilians, and allies.
Trump had announced one day prior that Tuesday would be <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-declares-august-26-a-day-to-remember-13-americans-lost-in-abbey-gate-attack">set aside</a> as a day to commemorate the loss of those 13 — Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, USMC; Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, USMC; Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, USMC; Corporal Hunter Lopez, USMC; Corporal Daegan W. Page, USMC; Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez, USMC; Lance Corporal David L. Espinoza, USMC; Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, USMC; Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum, USMC; Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola, USMC; Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, USMC; Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak, USN; and Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss, USA.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Fourth Anniversary of the Attack at Abbey Gate
&#8220;This is a very special group of people&#8230; Abbey Gate. It&#8217;s the four-year anniversary, so we&#8217;re signing a proclamation honoring them and honoring you and your loved one.&#8221; &#8211; President Donald J. Trump ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/8cMOCMKA6d">pic.twitter.com/8cMOCMKA6d</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1960311300862419389?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Four years ago today, we lost 13 American heroes at Abbey Gate. After the previous administration failed to deliver justice for the Gold Star families who lost their loved ones in Kabul, the Trump Administration took swift action to capture and extradite the ISIS-K terrorist responsible for the Abbey Gate bombing,&#8221; Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted. &#8220;@POTUS will ALWAYS stand with Gold Star families and our fallen heroes.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Four years ago today, we lost 13 American heroes at Abbey Gate.
After the previous administration failed to deliver justice for the Gold Star families who lost their loved ones in Kabul, the Trump Administration took swift action to capture and extradite the ISIS-K terrorist…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio/status/1960326370162270517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
America will forever remember the 13 service members we lost at Abbey Gate.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20
Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31
Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23
Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22… <a href="https://t.co/JO9sCJh3gL">pic.twitter.com/JO9sCJh3gL</a>
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP/status/1960311269606424675?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Today, we honor the 13 U.S. service members killed at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan, four years ago. Their courage, sacrifice, and service will never be forgotten. May God bless our heroes,&#8221; the Republican Party posted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today, we honor the 13 U.S. service members killed at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan, four years ago.
Their courage, sacrifice, and service will never be forgotten. May God bless our heroes. <a href="https://t.co/aM9FeGaTGp">pic.twitter.com/aM9FeGaTGp</a>
— GOP (@GOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/GOP/status/1960338198028075469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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VA Secretary Doug Collins added, &#8220;Four years after 13 brave Americans fell at Abbey Gate, we stand united to honor their memory, support their families, and renew our resolve to serve those who defend liberty around the globe.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Four years after 13 brave Americans fell at Abbey Gate, we stand united to honor their memory, support their families, and renew our resolve to serve those who defend liberty around the globe. <a href="https://t.co/05sY3LWP2X">https://t.co/05sY3LWP2X</a>
— VA Secretary Doug Collins (@SecVetAffairs) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecVetAffairs/status/1960354378348400683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepTroyDowning?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepTroyDowning</a> is a U.S. Air Force veteran.
He will never forget the 13 American heroes killed at Abbey Gate. <a href="https://t.co/EUco9DnlEi">pic.twitter.com/EUco9DnlEi</a>
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP/status/1960379438543118358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Today, we remember the 13 American service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice at Abbey Gate. They will never be forgotten,&#8221; the Senate Republicans added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today, we remember the 13 American service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice at Abbey Gate.
They will never be forgotten.
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenateGOP/status/1960376201429516445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Four years ago, thirteen American service members gave their lives during the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan,&#8221; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. &#8220;Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. We owe it to them and every warrior who wears the uniform to ensure that something like this never happens again.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Four years ago, thirteen American service members gave their lives during the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
We owe it to them and every warrior who wears the uniform to ensure that something like this never happens again. <a href="https://t.co/NpRzlLzNkk">pic.twitter.com/NpRzlLzNkk</a>
— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef/status/1960327431711015041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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House Foreign Affairs Chairman Rep. McCaul Discusses Committee’s Report On Afghanistan Withdrawal

Trump Leads Wave Of Tributes For 13 Service Members Killed During Botched Afghanistan Exit

Afghanistan

Terrorism

terrorist attack

World

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Trump administration is weighing possible stakes in defense companies and others it does business with, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Tuesday in defending President Donald Trump&#8217;s push for a greater federal government role in American businesses.
&#8220;They&#8217;re thinking about it,&#8221; Lutnick told CNBC, citing Pentagon leaders, when asked if the administration was considering taking pieces of contractors such as Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing Co or Palantir Technologies Inc . &#8220;There&#8217;s a lot of talking that needs to be had about how do we finance our munitions acquisitions.&#8221;
&#8220;There&#8217;s a monstrous discussion about defense. Lockheed Martin makes 97% of their revenue from the U.S. government. They are basically an arm of the U.S. government,&#8221; he added.
Boeing declined to comment, and representatives from Lockheed and Palantir did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Following Lutnick&#8217;s comments, shares of Lockheed were up 1.1%, while Boeing was up about 0.7% and Palantir was down about 1%.
On Monday, Trump said he wants to make more U.S. government investments in healthy American companies even as critics warn that such a role for the government could limit corporate strategy and market agility and questions are raised about the impact on consumers.
The Trump administration last week announced a near-10% stake in chipmaker Intel. It previously intervened to complete the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japan&#8217;s Nippon Steel in June, taking what Trump called a &#8220;golden share&#8221; that gives Washington say over its operations.
It also took a stake in rare earths company MP Materials, and brokered a deal with chipmakers Nvidia and AMD to take 15% of revenue from sales to China of chips that had previously been prohibited.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_campaign=summer&amp;utm_content=editorialsummersale&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">End of Summer Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
The unusual level of federal government intervention in the economy has created unexpected alliances, with liberal U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders backing the stake in Intel.
Lutnick on Tuesday said companies that need federal assistance should be prepared to deal with Trump.
&#8220;If a company comes to the United States of America government and says: we need your help, we want to change everything&#8230; I think that&#8217;s a question between the CEO and the president of the United States of whether he will listen to them and change the rules,&#8221; he told CNBC, citing the Nvidia deal.
&#8220;If we are adding fundamental value to your business, I think it&#8217;s fair for Donald Trump to think about the American people,&#8221; Lutnick added.
(Reporting by Susan Heavey; additional reporting by Mike Stone in Washington and Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Andrea Ricci and Nick Zieminski)

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick at The Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., U.S.

Trump Admin May Buy The Government A Stake In Top Defense Companies

Trump Administration Weighs Strategic Stakes In Defense Companies

Business

Defense

Howard Lutnick

Trump Administration

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that August 26 would be set aside to commemorate the American service members who were killed or wounded in the terror attack at Abbey Gate during former President Joe Biden&#8217;s disastrous troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Surrounded by Gold Star families who&#8217;d lost a loved one in the attack, Trump issued a proclamation declaring August 26, 2025, as a day to remember both their heroic service to their country and his administration&#8217;s promise to never &#8220;allow our military service members to be so betrayed, our friends to be so abandoned, and our credibility to be so destroyed.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
President Trump officially proclaims August 26, 2025, as a day in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate.
Here is the Proclamation&#8217;s text:
On one of the darkest days in our Nation&#8217;s history, 4 years ago, the gates of hell sprung open when an evil… <a href="https://t.co/4qVzUiKBAW">pic.twitter.com/4qVzUiKBAW</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1960070664578081249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The proclamation read, in part:
<blockquote>On one of the darkest days in our Nation&#8217;s history, 4 years ago, the gates of hell sprung open when an evil Jihadi terrorist carried out a suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan — killing 13 heroes of our United States Armed Forces and shattering the hearts of Americans and our allies. As our Nation remembers this atrocious attack, we honor the memory of every brave warrior who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We join in grief with the families who senselessly lost a loved one, and we renew our solemn pledge to our 13 fallen patriots — we will never forget you; we will never forsake you; and your memory will live on forever.
&#8230;
In what will be remembered as one of the most shameful and heartbreaking moments in our Nation&#8217;s collective memory, Joe Biden checked his watch — and time stood still — as a Sailor, Soldier, and 11 Marines returned home in flag-draped coffins, solemnly escorted by their brothers and sisters in arms. We will never forget the names of the 13 brave souls who shed their blood for our Nation: Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, USMC; Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, USMC; Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, USMC; Corporal Hunter Lopez, USMC; Corporal Daegan W. Page, USMC; Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez, USMC; Lance Corporal David L. Espinoza, USMC; Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, USMC; Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum, USMC; Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola, USMC; Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, USMC; Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak, USN; and Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss, USA.</blockquote>
&#8220;I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 26, 2025, as a day in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate,&#8221; Trump&#8217;s proclamation concluded. &#8220;I encourage all Americans to remember the heroism of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and the Gold Star Families who carry on their proud legacy.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
President Trump officially proclaims August 26, 2025, as a day in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate.
Here is the Proclamation&#8217;s text:
On one of the darkest days in our Nation&#8217;s history, 4 years ago, the gates of hell sprung open when an evil… <a href="https://t.co/4qVzUiKBAW">pic.twitter.com/4qVzUiKBAW</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1960070664578081249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> signs the proclamation commemorating the 4th anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate <a href="https://t.co/lvHXqjKHgg">https://t.co/lvHXqjKHgg</a> <a href="https://t.co/AaLpBgYspz">pic.twitter.com/AaLpBgYspz</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1960071193542725831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined Trump in the Oval Office to repeat his promise to get to the bottom of what happened in Afghanistan in the ays leading up to the terror attack.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> joins <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and Gold Star families in the Oval Office: &#8220;On behalf of this beautiful group&#8230; America deserves answers as far as what happened in Afghanistan. The military needs to answer for what happened in Afghanistan.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/pDS1SOjK35">pic.twitter.com/pDS1SOjK35</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1960070810452013557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

President Trump Signs Executive Orders In The Oval Office Of The White House

Trump Declares August 26 A Day To Remember 13 Americans Lost In Abbey Gate Attack

Donald Trump

Two more military academies agreed to permanently end race-based admissions, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
In a new settlement, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Air Force Academy will abandon DEI in favor of merit, Attorney General Pam Bondi <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-settles-lawsuits-challenging-race-based-admissions-west-point-and-air">said</a>. The settlement will lead to the dismissal of two lawsuits against the academies brought by the group Students for Fair Admissions.
“This Department is committed to eliminating DEI practices throughout the federal government,” Bondi said. “We are proud to partner with the Department of Defense to permanently end race-based admissions at West Point and the Air Force Academy — admission to these prestigious military institutions should be based exclusively on merit.”
Students for Fair Admission, the group whose suit led to the end of affirmative action at universities across the country, argued that race-based admissions policies at the military academies violated the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.
The terms of agreement in the settlement stipulate that merit will be the only factor leading to admission at either West Point or the Air Force Academy.
“America is the land of equal opportunity, in spirit and in law,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “Today’s agreement ensures that our future military leaders will carry on the greatness that is born of opportunity, effort, and a level playing field.”
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon also praised the settlement.
“Congrats to our [DOJ Civil] Division for their hard work in restoring merit-based admissions to some of our top military academies!” she posted on X.
In June, a similar settlement <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/naval-academy-promises-to-permanently-end-race-based-admissions">was announced</a> between Students for Fair Admissions and the U.S. Naval Academy.
That came after President Donald Trump signed an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-americas-fighting-force/">executive order</a> on January 27 that said that no one within the military should be given any advantage based on gender or race.
“Unfortunately, in recent years civilian and uniformed leadership alike have implemented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and their attendant race and sex preferences within the Armed Forces,” Trump wrote in an executive order. “These actions undermine leadership, merit, and unit cohesion, thereby eroding lethality and force readiness.  They also violate Americans’ consciences by engaging in invidious race and sex discrimination.”

Washington DC Celebrates Army’s 250th Anniversary With Parade And Festivities

Two More Military Academies Agree To ‘Permanently’ Drop Race-Based Admissions

Affirmative Action

Department of Justice

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

U.S. Military

Speaking on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent a <a href="applewebdata://952E91CB-AC1F-46A3-A670-13239822B5F5/v">warning</a> that the Trump administration would investigate who is buying land around U.S. military bases in the homeland.
“Congressional Republicans have introduced companion bills to halt Chinese purchases outright, and the Pentagon is aligning with USDA and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to identify and shut down high-risk acquisitions,” North Carolina journalist Sloan Rachmuth <a href="https://ncpoliticaltea.substack.com/p/secretary-of-defense-sounds-alarm">noted</a> on Substack.
“I want to know who owns the land around our bases and strategic bases, and getting an understanding of why foreign entities, foreign companies, foreign individuals, might be buying up land around those bases,” Hegseth asserted. “That’s something I should be paying attention to on behalf of the American people, on behalf of my department and on behalf of the president. It’s common sense. And so, food security, just like energy resilience, just like where we get our water, that’s all national security, especially in a contingency.&#8221;
“So we would be asleep at the wheel if we were not fully a party to an effort like this to ensure that our nation had the food supply it needs, but specifically our troops have what they need on our basis so that in those moments, you can rely on us here in the United States to provide that security,” he continued, warning, “So no longer can foreign adversaries assume we’re not watching and we’re not paying attention and we’re not doing something because we are.”
In April, Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) introduced the <a href="https://harriganforms.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Military_Installation_Retail_Security_Act_TEXT.pdf" data-extlink="">Military Installation Retail Security Act</a>, which would ban companies owned by enemy nations from operating retail stores on U.S. military installations. In October 2023, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3077/text">introduced</a> the “Protect Our Bases Act,” which would “require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to annually review and update the facilities and property of the United States Government determined to be national security sensitive for purposes of review of real estate transactions.” Chairman Scott <a href="https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/majority/scott-colleagues-lead-effort-to-strengthen-review-of-foreign-land-purchases-near-sensitive-us-military-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/majority/scott-colleagues-lead-effort-to-strengthen-review-of-foreign-land-purchases-near-sensitive-us-military-sites&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1755270797423000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1a3bKXEB91EOCDYqR59CAy">reintroduced</a> the Protect Our Bases Act this June, with Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) all cosponsoring.
In the North Carolina Senate, lawmakers introduced the <a href="https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S338v1.pdf">NC Farmland and Military Protection Act</a>, which would bar any foreign government from buying land within a 25-mile radius of military installations. The North Carolina House is considering a similarly named bill, which would increase that radius to 75 miles. North Carolina is the home of Fort Bragg, Pope Army Airfield, and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, among other military bases.
“Agriculture is our largest industry, generating <a href="https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2024/05/18/economic-impact-nc-agriculture-and-agribusiness-jumps-1111-billion-second-straight-year-strong?utm_source=chatgpt.com">$111 billion a year</a> and covering over 8 million acres. The military is our second-largest sector, adding up to $80 billion annually and supporting more than 650,000 jobs,” Rachmuth noted. “Allowing hostile governments to buy farmland near these sites is not just an economic risk — it’s a direct threat to operational security. Property near runways, radar stations, or training grounds can be used for surveillance equipment, drone staging, or subtle encroachment on military activities.”
In 2023, the people of North Dakota saw a Chinese plan for opening a corn mill near a sensitive military base and took matters into their own hands, blocking the project.
The Grand Forks City Council, aware that the U.S. military did not have jurisdiction to kill the project, voted unanimously in February 2023 to block Chinese food producer Fufeng Group from building the mill only 12 miles from the Grand Forks Air Force Base. In spring 2022, three North Dakotans sold the land for millions of dollars; the town’s mayor, Brandon Bochenski, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/01/chinese-purchase-of-north-dakota-farmland-raises-national-security-concerns-in-washington.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pointed out</a> that the proposed $700 million plant would create more than 200 jobs, but also admitted there were national security concerns.
“The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) considered an October 2022 filing by the Fufeng Group to acquire certain assets in the vicinity of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Grand Forks Air Force Base is the center of military activities related to both air and space operations,” U.S. Air Force Assistant Secretary Andrew P. Hunter <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11704309/Air-Force-shoots-Chinas-plan-build-corn-15-miles-North-Dakota-base.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warned</a> North Dakota Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer in January.
“While CFIUS concluded that it did not have jurisdiction, the Department’s view is unambiguous: the proposed project represents a significant threat to national security with both near and long-term risks of significant impacts to our operations in the area,” he added.
“With regard to Fufeng, if you’re going to strategically decouple, that means we don’t want their investment,” Cramer <a href="https://www.am1100theflag.com/show-episodes/48874-6-03-22-whats-on-your-mind-hour-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> last June.

President Trump Hosts Purple Heart Day Event

Hegseth Warns U.S. Enemies: ‘I Want To Know Who Owns The Land Around Our Bases’

Global Politics

The U.S. Air Force will deny early retirement options to trans-identifying service members who have served between 15 and 18 years, stating they will be separated without retirement benefits instead.
The decision, as reported by the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-force-transgender-no-early-retirement-e6a4da806f2cc2bdc05f49438cbd26fd">Associated Press</a>, applies only to trans-identifying service members with 15 to 18 years of service who have been instructed to separate from the military under the reinstated ban on transgender troops. Those who had served at least 20 years and were thus eligible for full retirement were simply instructed to take it.
The Air Force did approve early retirement for a number of trans-identifying service members who had served at least 18 years but not the full 20 years for traditional retirement benefits. A number of those who had served more than 15 years but less than 18 had been allowed to submit appeals requesting an exception to the policy, but none were approved.
&#8220;Although service members with 15-18 years of honorable service were permitted to apply for an exception to policy, none of the exceptions to policy were approved,&#8221; an Air Force spokesperson told The AP, adding, &#8220;Approximately a dozen service members between 15 and 18 years of service were prematurely notified that their [early retirement] applications under the gender dysphoria provision had been approved.&#8221;
In lieu of approving those appeals, those with 15 to 18 years of service will receive separation pay at double the rate they would normally receive for involuntary separation from the military. Any remaining service requirements, such as years of service tied to either education benefits or enlistment or reenlistment bonuses, &#8220;will be waived&#8221; — meaning that there will be no additional barrier for those who would prefer to transfer their G.I. Bill education benefits to eligible family members.
A memo sent on Monday announced that the decision to deny those additional retirement benefits was made &#8220;after careful consideration of the individual applications.&#8221;

Air Force Will Deny Early Retirement To Trans-Identifying Service Members

Transgender

U.S. Air Force

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded on Friday after a report from The New York Times stated that President Donald Trump had quietly signed an order to use military force against drug cartels in foreign countries.
Sheinbaum, who previously rejected an offer from Trump for the U.S. military to help fight the drug cartels, said on Friday, “The United States is not going to come to Mexico with the military.&#8221; The Mexican president added that U.S. officials had given her a heads-up that Trump&#8217;s directive &#8220;was coming,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/world/americas/mexico-trump-military-cartels.html">The New York Times</a>.
&#8220;We cooperate, we collaborate, but there is not going to be an invasion,&#8221; she continued. &#8220;That is ruled out, absolutely ruled out,” she said. “It is not part of any agreement, far from it. When it has been brought up, we have always said no.”
Sheinbaum said that she was assured by the United States that Trump&#8217;s order would not include sending troops into Mexico. The directive reportedly singles out Latin American drug cartels that are designated as foreign terrorist organizations, but it was not immediately clear which specific cartels or transnational gangs the Trump administration would pursue under the new directive.
Mexico has been overrun by numerous violent drug cartels for decades, and most of the drug cartels listed by the United States as terrorist organizations primarily operate in Mexico. Two transnational criminal gangs, Tren de Aragua (TdA) and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), which have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations, have cells in Central America, according to the State Department. The Trump administration also recently designated the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization.
After pressure from Trump earlier this year, Sheibaum reportedly deployed hundreds of troops to fight the Sinaloa Cartel — one of Mexico&#8217;s most powerful — with the group suffering significant losses. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson <a href="https://x.com/USAmbMex/status/1951085207123272145">said</a> last month that U.S. fentanyl seizures were down and Mexico fentanyl seizures were on the rise &#8220;thanks to increased collaboration&#8221; between the two countries.
&#8220;Under [President Trump&#8217;s] and President [Sheinbaum&#8217;s] leadership, cartels are going bankrupt and our countries are safer because of it,&#8221; Johnson added.
Trump has used tariffs as a negotiating tool to pressure Mexico into helping the United States secure the border and crack down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The president has also deployed U.S. troops and drones to patrol the southern border. Trump&#8217;s actions have led to the <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/most-secure-border-history-cbp-reports-major-enforcement-wins-june#:~:text=Border%20Enforcement%20at%20Historic%20Levels,27%2C766%20released%20in%20June%202024">lowest level</a> of illegal border crossings ever recorded by Customs and Border Protection.

Claudia Sheinbaum

Mexican President Says U.S. Military Will Not Fight Drug Cartels On Its Soil

Drug Cartels

Mexico

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