Defense and Security

Meta is courting national security and former Pentagon officials to help sell its virtual reality and AI services to the federal government, Forbes has learned. Multiple former government officials said they were aware of the recruiting efforts.

The U.S. is stepping up its intelligence-gathering efforts regarding Greenland, drawing America’s spying apparatus into President Trump’s campaign to take over the island, according to two people familiar with the effort.

Several high-ranking officials under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a “collection emphasis message” to intelligence-agency heads last week. They were directed to learn more about Greenland’s independence movement and attitudes on American resource extraction on the island. 

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s ordering of at least a 20% reduction of four-star generals and admirals has raised concerns that those cuts could be weaponized to cut officers deemed insufficiently loyal to the president and secretary.

Hegseth, in a memo to senior Pentagon leadership dated Monday, directed a reduction of at least 20% of four-star positions across the Active Component, at least a 20% reduction of general officers in the National Guard, and an additional minimum of 10% cuts in general and flag officers.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed President Donald Trump to implement his ban on transgender people serving in the military.

The justices granted an emergency request from the Trump administration to lift a nationwide injunction blocking the policy while litigation continues.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with the Trump administration in lifting a lower court order that paused the Pentagon's transgender military ban from taking effect – allowing Trump's order and related policies to proceed, at least.

The high court ruling is a near-term victory for the White House, even as it did not address the underlying merits of the case or President Donald Trump's Jan. 27 executive order banning transgender service members from the U.S. military.

The US Supreme Court temporarily allowed President Donald Trump to enforce his ban on transgender people serving in the military while legal challenges to the policy move forward.

Shortly after taking office in January, Trump signed a pair of executive orders that enabled the Pentagon to implement the ban.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday directed the active duty military to shed 20% of its four-star general officers as the Trump administration moves forward with deep cuts that it says will promote efficiency but that critics worry could result in a more politicized force.

Hegseth also told the National Guard to shed 20% of its top positions and directed the military to cut an additional 10% of its general and flag officers across the force, which could include any one-star or above or officer of equivalent Navy rank.

A hacker breached TeleMessage, a government-approved messaging app used by Trump administration officials, exposing archived communications from the platform’s modified version of Signal, 404 Media reported.

President Trump confirmed late Sunday that deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller is at the top of his list of possible contenders to permanently fill the role of national security adviser.

“Stephen Miller is at the top of the totem pole. I think he sort of indirectly already has that job,” Trump told NewsNation’s Libbey Dean aboard Air Force One when asked whether Miller was under consideration for the post.

“He’s a very valued person in the administration,” Trump said.

Video from Iranian state TV on Sunday showed Iran unveiling a new ballistic missile as tensions with the United States intensify over Tehran's nuclear program and regional military activities. The footage was aired during an interview with Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, who warned: "If war is initiated by the U.S. or Israel, Iran will strike their interests, bases and forces wherever they are and whenever necessary."