All articles tagged with #department of defense
The Pentagon signed a $210 million, no-bid contract with Israel's state-owned Tomer to develop the XM1208 cluster munition, a record arms purchase from Israel. While the shells are designed to have a low dud rate, critics warn cluster weapons are inherently indiscriminate and dangerous long after conflict, and the award bypassed public competition under a public-interest exception.
The Trump administration has suspended leases for five offshore wind farms in the U.S. due to national security concerns raised by the Department of Defense, citing risks associated with these projects and emphasizing the reliance on a natural gas pipeline for energy.
President Trump plans to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, citing the former's stronger historical connotation, though this change would require congressional approval and be costly. The move reflects a desire to evoke a more aggressive military stance, reminiscent of the department's earlier name before World War II.
The Pentagon has dismissed Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore and Rear Adm. Milton Sands III from their leadership roles in the Navy Reserve and Naval Special Warfare Command, respectively, amid a series of high-profile military firings by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, with no specific reasons provided, as part of broader leadership changes within the Department of Defense.
Microsoft has announced it will no longer employ engineers in China to support U.S. Department of Defense cloud systems following reports that previous supervision methods were inadequate, addressing security concerns raised by the government and media.
Elon Musk's xAI launched new AI companions for Grok, featuring provocative animated characters like Ani and Bad Rudy, raising concerns over safety and ethics. Simultaneously, xAI secured a Department of Defense contract, despite past controversies involving offensive content and extremist references in Grok's outputs.
The U.S. Department of Defense will start using Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk's xAI, with a new suite called 'Grok for Government' to tailor its use for federal agencies, amid increased push for AI adoption in government.
Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, faces allegations of alcohol abuse that have impacted his professional conduct, complicating his confirmation prospects. Reports from former colleagues and past incidents suggest a history of problematic drinking behavior, including a drunken sexual assault allegation and disruptive conduct at work events. Hegseth denies having a drinking problem but acknowledges using alcohol to cope with post-war experiences. His nomination is under scrutiny as he promises to abstain from alcohol if confirmed.
Conservative commentator Ann Coulter criticized Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, labeling him "sleazy" due to allegations of sexual assault and infidelity. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has faced accusations of sexual misconduct and mismanagement during his tenure at nonprofit veterans groups. Coulter, who has had a fluctuating relationship with Trump, expressed concern over Hegseth's history of adultery and questioned societal attitudes towards such behavior.
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, faces allegations of misconduct from his time leading veterans' advocacy groups. A whistleblower report accuses him of being intoxicated at work events, pursuing female staffers, and ignoring sexual misconduct within the organization. These allegations, along with a past sexual assault claim, raise concerns about his suitability for the Defense Department role. Hegseth denies the claims, attributing them to disgruntled former associates.
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, reportedly stepped down from leadership roles in two veterans nonprofits due to allegations of mismanagement and sexual misconduct, including an incident involving strippers.
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, faces scrutiny over a 2018 email from his mother accusing him of mistreating women, as well as a past sexual assault allegation. The email, sent during Hegseth's divorce, criticized his behavior towards women, though his mother later apologized and defended him. Hegseth denies the assault allegation, which was settled with a confidentiality agreement. His confirmation process is expected to be contentious, with some Trump allies defending him.
Silicon Valley AI companies, including Meta, Google, and OpenAI, are increasingly pursuing military contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to offset the high costs of developing generative AI technologies. This shift marks a departure from previous hesitations about defense work, driven by the potential for substantial long-term financial rewards. The DoD is exploring AI applications for data management, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems, with AI now considered a critical technology for future conflicts. Despite ethical concerns, the changing political landscape and economic pressures are making defense contracts more attractive to tech firms.
Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Donald Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, citing his lack of military command experience and controversial views on women in combat roles. Duckworth, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, described Hegseth as "inordinately unqualified" for overseeing the Pentagon's vast operations and budget. Hegseth, a Fox News commentator, also faces a sexual assault allegation, which Duckworth argues makes him unsuitable for the position. Concerns were raised about Senate Republicans potentially approving Trump's nominees without scrutiny.
Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Donald Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, arguing he is unqualified due to his lack of experience and controversial views on women in combat roles. Duckworth, an Army veteran, emphasized the essential role women play in the military and expressed concerns over Hegseth's past comments and sexual assault allegations. She also commented on other Trump nominations, expressing mixed views on candidates like Doug Collins and Tulsi Gabbard.