141 stories found
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had said that Iran's missiles had been "depleted and decimated" during a press conference, with US officials concerned that Iran may use the ceasefire to rearm.
A US judge ruled that the Department of Defense has not adhered to a previous order to readmit journalists to the Pentagon, specifically mentioning Defense Secretary Hegseth and seven New York Times journalists.
The Pentagon has downplayed any rift with the Vatican, despite criticism from the Pope, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continues to emphasize his Christian faith in his leadership, including instituting a voluntary monthly prayer service.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll affirmed his commitment to his current role, despite reports of clashes with the defense secretary over personnel decisions and other issues.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing allegations of militarized discrimination following passed-over promotions and high-profile dismissals, earning him a reputation for promoting an ethnically homogenous armed forces.
Amidst the ongoing Iran War, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed the Army Chief of Staff and other high-ranking officers, continuing a months-long "purging" of the Pentagon without providing specific reasons.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked the Army's top uniformed officer, Gen. Randy George, to step down and take immediate retirement, amidst ongoing clashes between the Pentagon chief and senior military leadership, with reports also coming from French media and the Independent.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reversed the suspension for Army helicopter pilots who hovered near Kid Rock's Tennessee home during a training run, allowing them to avoid punishment.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has waived animal protections to expand oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, citing national security as the reason for the exemption.
Reports suggest that a US Defense Secretary during the Trump administration allegedly sought to invest in an armaments fund using insider information.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Americans to pray to Jesus for US victory in the Middle East, a rhetoric that has drawn strong reactions and criticism from various quarters, raising concerns about Christian proselytism in the war effort.
Pete Hegseth is facing criticism for removing four officers from a promotion list, a move that has exacerbated bitter rifts over the defense secretary’s campaign to reverse policies he claims are prejudiced against white officers.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led a Christian service at the Pentagon, the first since the outbreak of war with Iran, where he prayed for 'crushing violence' against enemies. Hegseth and Trump's labor secretary are now being sued by a nonprofit group over these prayer services and allegations of religious discrimination, with reports detailing his prayer for 'every bullet to find its target'.
The New York Times is asking a federal judge to compel Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s team to rescind press access restrictions, accusing the Pentagon of defying a previous court ruling.
Comments by the US Defense Secretary about offering 'no quarter' to Iran have raised alarm among Democratic lawmakers, who have reminded the military to refuse illegal orders, criticizing the 'irresponsible way' leadership is being shown in the war.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has invoked a Christian moral underpinning to justify U.S. military actions, suggesting they are divinely sanctioned.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indirectly confirmed the Pentagon's request for approximately $200 billion in additional funding for the Iran war, stating it 'takes money to kill bad guys' amid Senate skepticism about the funding and the conflict's open-ended nature.
US Defense Secretary insisted Washington is meeting its objectives against Iran despite escalating attacks on Gulf.
A petition to fire Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary has started to gain traction online even as lawmaker Pat Ryan slammed him amid the ongoing Iran war.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. has challenged critics of the Marcos administration to present substantiated evidence and formal affidavits if they believe a plot is underway to overthrow the government, amid social media claims.
Donald Trump summons the Defense secretary to explain why the U.S. has "won" the war against Iran and why the media should stop worrying about it
Defense secretary appeared to endorse killing prisoners, a violation of international law, during press briefing A top Democratic lawmaker with a military background has reacted strongly to US…
US Defense Secretary Hegseth has said Iran's defense industry is nearly destroyed. Meanwhile, six service members were confirmed killed in a plane crash in Iraq as the war enters its second week.
The US Defense Secretary announced an investigation into a missile attack on a girls' school in southern Iran on February 28, which Iranian sources claim killed 175 people.
The UK Defense Secretary suggested that the 'hidden hand of Putin' is behind Iranian drone attacks in the Middle East, implying Russian influence in the region's conflicts.
The Pentagon has barred photographers from attending the last two briefings held by Defense Secretary Pit Hegset regarding the war in Iran, without providing an explanation for the change in long-standing policy.
Iranians cowered under the barrage as Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, said the U.S. aimed to wipe out Iran’s capacity to obtain nuclear weapons “forever.”
Trump administration launches unprecedented military campaign spanning Venezuela to Iran in assertive foreign policy shift under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Top US officials, including the Defense Secretary have said that sending US troops into Iran could not be ruled out.
As conservative critics question the assault on Iran, President Trump’s TV-ready defense secretary is going on offense.
US Defense Secretary Hegseth urged for unity among North and South American countries, expressing concern over China's efforts to strengthen ties with Latin American nations while excluding the United States.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that US efforts to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions will send "plenty of signals," as he addressed a question related to North Korea's criticism of the ongoing US military operation against the Islamic Republic. Hegseth made the remarks during a press briefing on the military operation, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," which kicked off in coordination with Israel on Saturday. "As it pertains to other countries ... they don't really bear on the c
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US and Israel 'will have complete control of Iranian skies, uncontested airspace.' Trump, meanwhile, rated the US performance in the war with Iran as a '15' on…
The defense secretary planned to appear at a “Top Gun”-themed event for Representative Zach Nunn, Republican of Iowa, in the district where all four fallen soldiers had been stationed.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to suggest reporting on the deaths of US troops in Iran is the media “trying to make Donald Trump look bad”.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth complained about some of the coverage of the U.S. and Israel attacks on Iran, claiming that media outlets are playing up tragic incidents that have killed service…
The Daily Show’s host ridicules defense secretary over his aggressive response to journalists at Pentagon press conference on Iran airstrikes
"We are absolutely sober," US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday, insisting that the US operation against Iran has "clear objectives" and that for Americans…
Defense secretary refuses to establish timeline for how long operation will continue in first public remarks since strikes The US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, has called the joint US-Israeli strikes in Iran the “most lethal and precise air power campaign in history”, indicated the US did not plan to effect a democratic transition in Iran – and refused to establish a clear timeline for how long the US operation will continue. In the first public remarks by an administration official sin...
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the military operation against Iran was the most precise in history, aimed at destroying missile infrastructure, and not intended for regime change or an 'endless war'.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is scheduled to meet with the press.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed 22 universities, including Harvard and MIT, from the Pentagon's list for military officer education, citing 'anti-American' sentiments and proposing new partnerships.
The US Department of Defense will no longer send officers to courses and studies at Ivy League universities, said Pentagon chief Pete Hegsteh, assessing that these educational institutions have become…
The US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued an ultimatum to Anthropic's CEO, demanding unrestricted military access to the company's AI technology by Friday or face the termination of its government contract.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed for the senator to be demoted over a video in which he reminds military officials they should refuse illegal orders
The US Defense Secretary has reportedly summoned the CEO of Anthropic for discussions regarding the military applications of their AI model, Claude, according to Axios.
Kash Patel’s girlfriend was chosen to sing the National Anthem before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s anti-abortion address, where Hegseth stated, 'We are not ‘In woke we trust,’ we are ‘In God we trust.’’
Οι ΗΠΑ παραμένουν απολύτως προσηλωμένες στο ΝΑΤΟ, τόνισε ο Βρετανός υπουργός Άμυνας, Τζον Χίλι, στον απόηχο σεναρίων για ενδεχόμενη μείωση της αμερικανικής στρατιωτικής παρουσίας στην Ευρώπη.
An opinion piece argues that former Fox News host Pete Hegseth would be a disastrous defense secretary, citing his history of misleading the public, praying for violence, and clashing with the press. The author suggests his past behavior indicates he is not a serious military leader.
A federal judge has stated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his team have disregarded a previous order by attempting to impose new restrictions on Pentagon press access, citing concerns about First Amendment rights.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drew a comparison between the rescue of a downed American airman in Iran and the story of Jesus's resurrection.
Billionaire father and son, the Ellisons, are reportedly buying up US media outlets. This move is discussed in the context of media criticism, including a US defense secretary's comments on CNN's coverage of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Internal turmoil within the Pentagon is highlighted by the defense secretary's firing of a top general, with criticism suggesting a focus on 'culture wars' over strategic conflicts like the Iran war.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's mocking comments about the 'big bad Royal Navy' are seen as uncomfortable because they reflect genuine concerns about the Royal Navy's readiness, an issue previously raised by the First Sea Lord.
The US Army has launched an administrative review and subsequently suspended crews from flight duties after two military helicopters were seen hovering near singer Kid Rock's home. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has now announced that these suspensions have been lifted following an investigation into the incident.
Iran's Parliament Security Committee has approved a plan to impose tolls on vessels passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a measure that also includes considering a ban on American and Israeli ships from using the vital waterway, with the plan now advancing.
Former President Donald Trump claims the U.S. is negotiating with Iranian leadership and has made 'progress' on a deal, but simultaneously threatens to destroy Iran's oil wells, Kharg Island, and desalination plants if an agreement is not reached shortly. Gulf allies are reportedly urging him to continue fighting until the Islamic regime falls.
Defense Secretary Hegseth is facing criticism for invoking his faith during wartime, with current and former leaders arguing that his proselytizing violates the Constitution and undermines troop cohesion.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly intervened to halt the promotions of four Black and female Army officers who were on track to become one-star generals, an involvement described as highly unusual.
Prime minister meets with US defense secretary Qatar Tribune
James Mattis, former US Defense Secretary under Donald Trump, offered a grim analysis of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and sharply criticized the new White House administration for its intervention in Iran.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, known for embodying aggressive masculinity, has drawn criticism for his rhetoric on the Iran war, which he discusses as if it were a cage fight.
The father of a fallen American soldier has publicly refuted claims made by US Defense Secretary (likely Pete Hegseth) that families of deceased soldiers support the continuation of the war in Iran, stating he never told the minister to 'finish the job'.
Unidentified drones were allegedly detected above Fort McNair, a Washington Army base where Senator Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth live, prompting officials to consider relocating them.
A US Defense Secretary (likely misattributed to Pit Hegset, a Fox News personality) stated that the world, Middle East, and European allies should thank Trump for the Iran war not escalating like previous conflicts.
A statement by the US Secretary of Defense, implying 'no mercy,' could constitute a violation of both American and international law, as it goes against fundamental prohibitions of the law of war.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's statement about 'showing no mercy' to Iran could constitute a violation of US and international war law, potentially being considered a war crime.
A video of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's handshake with a fellow US military force member has gone viral with unverified claims linking it to Freemasons.
Iran has rejected US President Trump's warnings about the safety of its team at the World Cup, with the team labeling the US as unfit to host the tournament. This follows Iran's shock announcement of its refusal to participate in the 2026 World Cup, escalating the geopolitical dispute into the realm of global athletics.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is daring Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, to show his face ... accusing him of hiding amid claims he's been disfigured, instead of speaking publicly.
A press conference was held at the Pentagon with the US Secretary of Defense and the head of the Navy.
Controversial defense secretary Pete Hegseth's long-held animosity towards Iran has resurfaced through old book quotes and videos, where he once described Tehran as a 'malign octopus with many tentacles'.
The US Department of Defense spent more money in September last year than in any year since 2008, with a significant portion of the funds reportedly allocated to non-essential items such as lobsters, steaks, and a piano, rather than critical military expenses.
Trump says the US has a "virtually unlimited" supply of weapons. His defense secretary says Iran has "no hope" of outlasting the US.
Until February 28, most Israelis had barely heard of him. Ten days later, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is one of the most prominent figures on Hebrew media, Instagram, and X.
US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth has called on Latin American countries to more actively combat drug cartels that are flooding the US with illegal substances.
Top US officials, including the Defense Secretary, have said that sending US troops into Iran could not be ruled out.
Will Trump Seize Or Destroy Iran's Oil Export Island? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier that the U.S. is "accelerating, not decelerating" Operation Epic Fury, with U.S.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the Pentagon would end funds supporting active-duty service members at Harvard. The school is offering military students alternatives to defer or go elsewhere.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump had gotten the “last laugh” after the U.S. military killed an Iranian official who led an effort to assassinate him.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed a US submarine sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo, claiming it was the first since World War Two.
The Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka by a US submarine, confirmed by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. 32 Iranian sailors were rescued, while at least 87 were killed, marking the first such incident since WWII.
In an unprecedented dispute between the US government and a private business, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared Anthropic a supply chain risk -- a measure usually reserved for companies…
What’s the plan and does it go beyond dropping bombs from the sky? On Day 3 of the US and Israeli campaign that’s killed Iran’s supreme leader, the United States insisting there will be no boots on the ground. But while the US defense secretary talks of nuclear installations and missile launchers, the U-S president's spoken of laying the groundwork for regime change. Already, the escalation’s gone well beyond last June’s 12 days of bombing raids.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has set out the goals of the US war in Iran, saying the United States did not start it but they will end it.
Hegseth said Iran was building nuclear facilities underneath mountains as part of ‘blackmail ambitions’
A widely shared image claiming President Donald Trump shouting at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is unverified and misleading
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was banning attendance at Yale, Princeton, Brown and other elite colleges and think tanks, accusing them of indoctrinating service members with liberal ideologies.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously threatened to remove the firm from the department's supply chain.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided an update on the Trump administration's plans to release government files related to extraterrestrial life and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), following Trump's earlier announcement.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a joke about the long-standing 'Pentagon pizza' theory in Washington, suggesting he sometimes orders food to mislead people.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has drawn public attention after a video surfaced showing him allegedly bench-pressing an impressive 143 kilograms in a military gym, leading to debate over whether it's inspiring or a PR stunt.
Infosys and Anthropic have announced a collaboration to provide AI agents to various industries, aiming to expand the application of artificial intelligence.
The bible-thumping US defense secretary is overseeing another strategic disaster in the Middle East.
A federal judge in Washington D.C. has for the second time ruled against new Pentagon rules, overturning key provisions that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted to impose on accredited journalists.
The United Kingdom's Defense Secretary disclosed details of a covert Russian submarine operation in the North Atlantic, warning Russia of severe consequences if it continues to threaten British underwater infrastructure.
Officials express concern that the defense secretary's optimistic portrayal of U.S. success in the Iran conflict risks misinforming the public and the president.
General Randy George, the US Army Chief of Staff dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegset, issued a farewell letter stating that the army deserves 'leaders with character'.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed General Randy George, the Chief of Staff of the Army, as part of a significant leadership shake-up in the Pentagon, reportedly targeting specific demographics. This high-profile removal occurs amidst the ongoing Iran war and a broader purge of military leadership under Hegseth.
The US Defense Secretary has suspended investigations into pilots who briefly hovered a helicopter near the home of US musician Kid Rock.
President Donald Trump has openly expressed anger at allies for not assisting in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to withdraw support. Following this, the US Defense Secretary has called on allies to 'step up' their involvement in the region, echoing Trump's earlier comments for nations to 'go get your own oil'.
A report saying an advisor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tried to buy a fund investing in defense companies highlights just how poorly the sector has traded since the Iran conflict began.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth introduced a new 'Greater North America' strategy, which designates the entire northern hemisphere as the immediate security perimeter for the United States and calls for increased engagement from southern nations.
An opinion piece in The Guardian by Arwa Mahdawi criticizes Pete Hegseth, now defense secretary, for praying for 'overwhelming violence' against enemies in Iran and for imbuing violence with religious righteousness.
The Defense Secretary has reportedly removed the names of four officers—two women and two Black men—from a military promotion list before it was sent to the White House.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro Jr. told European defense leaders that countries relying on Filipino workers for essential services have a duty to help protect them.
During a visit to Memphis, Tennessee, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump commented on the conflict with Iran, stating, "They call it a war, we call it a military operation."
A judge has ruled against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's media policy, emphasizing its importance amid the Iran war, after outlets were denied access to the Pentagon despite continuing their reporting.
The Pentagon is striking 'Iranian-aligned militia groups' in Iraq following US soldier deaths, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowing to 'finish the job.' However, the father of a service member killed in the Iran war has stated he never told Hegseth to 'finish the job,' contradicting Hegseth's implied justification.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a press conference to update the nation on President Donald Trump’s Iran War, assuring Americans of a decisive victory while also criticizing the media, though his defensive demeanor suggested underlying doubts.
Pete Hegseth calls himself a Christian patriot; critics say hes a far-right agitator.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro unleashes scathing criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Iran war leadership, calling him incompetent and offensive.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparked controversy after saying American forces would show “no quarter, no mercy” to enemies during the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The United States is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on high-ranking Iranian officials, including the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. This comes as crypto prediction markets speculate on whether Mojtaba Khamenei will be removed from his position before 2026.
The Marines have released findings regarding an October incident where shrapnel landed on California Highway Patrol vehicles on Interstate 5 during a celebratory exercise conducted for Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran’s leadership was “desperate and hiding,” after US-Israeli strikes.
The Pentagon has reportedly engaged in a dispute with the media, banning photography of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth due to allegedly 'unattractive' images.
Comments in books, speeches, and videos reveal that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has expressed extreme and violent antipathy toward Iran for years, shedding new light on his personal commitment to the war.
An analysis questions the US military's ability to sustain a prolonged conflict in Iran, despite President Trump's claims of unlimited weapons and the Defense Secretary's confidence, citing reportedly low defensive missile stocks.
Trump's Defense Secretary, Hegseth, read from Psalm 144 of the Bible at a press conference, stating he drew strength from it after a difficult night reflecting on soldiers and their families.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that President Donald Trump is fully informed about contact between Russia and Iran amid media reports that Moscow is providing intelligence to Tehran for…
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegset stated that United States (US) attacks on Iran will dramatically increase soon. Hegset, Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper, and US President...
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper also gave a press conference at CENTCOM HQ, Florida, addressing the ongoing operation against Iran.
The defense minister told the defense secretary he appreciated the unprecedented coordination between the sides.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls Iranian warship sinking a message that 'gloves are off' as U.S. nuclear submarine demonstrates maritime dominance with torpedo strike.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an investigation into reports of an attack on a girls' school in southern Iran, which allegedly resulted in over 160 deaths.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters in Washington it was the first U.S. sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since the Second World War
US defense secretary was evasive when asked about the airstrike that Iranian officials say killed at least 165 students Minab school bombing: how the worst mass casualty event of the Iran war unfolded – a visual guide Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, offered few details and was evasive when asked about the deadly strike on a girls’ school in Iran, saying only that the US was “investigating” the incident. Iranian officials say the attack, which happened on Saturday, killed at least 16...
‘War is ugly. It smells bad,’ said Senator Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, who has never served in the military
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that ongoing military operations against Iran would not end up being "endless," but achieving America's combat objectives would not happen "overnight,"…
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed growing concerns on Monday that the US-Israeli strikes in Iran could embroil the United States in a protracted regional conflict by declaring, “This is not…
Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary, stated that there are no American troops in Iran and emphasized the U.S. readiness to act as needed.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that Washington's military mission in Iran was to destroy Tehran's missiles, navy, and deny the country nuclear weapons, n...
Missiles launched toward Cyprus intercepted, UK defense secretary says eKathimerini.com
The US military has long-standing ties with Scouting, with many bases hosting Scout troops. Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Wright/US Marine Corps The Pentagon will keep ties with Scouts, as long as the group complies with military directives. Scouts will end DEI initiatives and seem poised to ban transgender youth, per Pentagon requests. The move is part of a larger federal effort to force private groups to follow ideological directives. The Pentagon is pulling back on plans to cut ties with Scoutin...
Anthropic's military contract has come under threat following a meeting between the AI company's CEO and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Chance Yeh/Getty Images for HubSpot; AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post Anthropic and the US government are at a standstill over the use of the company's Claude model. The Pentagon is pressing Anthropic to accept its terms or lose its military contract. Sources said the government is willing to use 2 levers to compel Anthropic to agree. Anthropic is fast-appr...
Dario Amodei, CEO of AI firm Anthropic, is set to meet US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, amid rising tensions between the Pentagon and the artificial intelligence company over military use
The Pentagon is demanding full access to Anthropic's AI model, Claude, for military use, clashing with the company's safety safeguards. Defence Secretary Hegseth is reportedly issuing an ultimatum to Anthropic CEO Amodei, threatening contract cancellations if restrictions on mass surveillance and autonomous weapons aren't lifted. This high-stakes meeting highlights a significant ideological divide.
The Defense Secretary featured in a series of videos on official U.S. government social media accounts this week, showing off his skills in the weight room
Border Patrol Fired Army Lasers At Party Balloons, Forcing El Paso Air Traffic Shutdown On Wednesday, after the FAA suddenly shut down airspace over El Paso, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the unsettling move was prompted by a "cartel drone incursion," and assured Americans that "the threat has been neutralized." However, that shutdown, which impeded everything from commercial air traffic to medevac helicopter flights, was actually caused by a trigger-happy border Border Patrol unit firing a US Army laser weapon at a party balloon, not far from El Paso International Airport. The introduction of the weapon into a border-security role without FAA approval may have violated federal law. The proposal for arming the border patrol with the anti-drone weapon was first presented to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg in the spring of 2025, sources tell the New York Times. The goal was the interdiction of drones used to smuggle drugs across the frontier. According to two people, Pentagon staff cautioned that the idea would require approval of the FAA and Transportation Department, but Feinberg said the Pentagon was free to do what it wanted with the weapons. The Pentagon called their account "a total fabrication." In a Feb 6 email obtained by the Times, the FAA's chief lawyer warned a DOD official that putting the weapon into the border-enforcement mix without restricting the airspace "a grave risk of fatalities or permanent injuries” to civilians flying overhead. CPB officers reportedly fired an AeroVironment LOCUST laser counter-drone weapon on loan from the US Army (AeroVironment photo) In the predawn hours on Monday, Feb 9, as military service members observed, Customs and Border Protection officers fired the laser weapon at what they assumed was a drone near Fort Bliss, but it was actually a metallic party balloon. Around 5pm that day, a DOD official emailed an FAA lawyer, reiterating the Pentagon's stance that prior FAA approval wasn't needed, and that the laser weapons would continue to be employed on the border, adding that he "looked forward" to a meeting to discuss the topic. FAA officials were said to be outraged. Early Tuesday evening, the FAA warned the Pentagon and National Security Council that an FAA-mandated shutdown of airspace near El Paso was imminent. Then came the extraordinary order from FAA administrator Bryan Bedford that airspace above El Paso would be closed for 10 days. The "temporary flight restriction notice" forbid any flights below 18,000 feet in the affected area. An angry El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson said the "unnecessary" airspace shutdown, which lasted a few hours, caused "chaos and confusion," including the diversion of medevac flights to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Bedford rescinded the order on Wednesday. The laser weapon was fired a balloon approaching Fort Bliss, which is immediately adjacent to El Paso International Airport The incident has intensified pre-existing tension between the DOD and the FAA, which goes back to the disastrous January 2025 collision between an American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people. At least two near-misses with Army helicopters followed. While it's been widely and credibly reported that CPB fired at a party balloon, the administration has yet to officially rescind its claims about a "cartel drone incursion." Meanwhile, the safety question hangs heavy in the air. In October 2024, an official at US Northern Command said safety concerns were, at the time, keeping lasers off the table where drone interdiction was concerned: “The biggest thing right now is the impact of the laser when it moves beyond its target. You know, how far is it going? What’s that going to do? How long does the laser need to remain on target before it begins to inflict damage and so on, right?” It's far from clear if those questions have since been satisfactorily answered. To the extent they're still being sorted out, maybe that process shouldn't be taking place next to El Paso International Airport. Tyler Durden Sun, 02/15/2026 - 13:25