Connor O’Brien
@connorobriennh.bsky.social
Defense reporter covering Congress for POLITICO | ask me if the NDAA is a ‘defense spending bill’ | send tips and sage grouse gifs: cobrien@politico.com
Reposted by Connor O’Brien
And yet @politico.com uses AI that sends glaring errors to our subscribers and violates our ethics standards.
Tell POLITICO management to follow it's own rules for accurate, ethical journalism and sign our petition.
actionnetwork.org/petitions/ai...
Tell POLITICO management to follow it's own rules for accurate, ethical journalism and sign our petition.
actionnetwork.org/petitions/ai...
October 1, 2025 at 8:57 PM
And yet @politico.com uses AI that sends glaring errors to our subscribers and violates our ethics standards.
Tell POLITICO management to follow it's own rules for accurate, ethical journalism and sign our petition.
actionnetwork.org/petitions/ai...
Tell POLITICO management to follow it's own rules for accurate, ethical journalism and sign our petition.
actionnetwork.org/petitions/ai...
Congress is out, but lawmakers are in Munich and hearing from allies concerned about Trump's push for talks with Russia. And Republican supporters of Ukraine are grappling with the administration’s actions. www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Republicans struggle with unified response to Trump's plan for Ukraine peace talks
Lawmakers' reactions underscore the challenge Republicans face as they try to make sense of the administration’s efforts to end the Ukraine war.
www.politico.com
February 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Congress is out, but lawmakers are in Munich and hearing from allies concerned about Trump's push for talks with Russia. And Republican supporters of Ukraine are grappling with the administration’s actions. www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
SecDef Pete Hegseth made a “rookie mistake” when he said returning to Ukraine’s pre-war borders “unrealistic,” SASC Chair Roger Wicker said.
“I don’t know who wrote the speech—it is the kind of thing Tucker Carlson could have written, and Carlson is a fool,” he said. www.politico.eu/article/sena...
“I don’t know who wrote the speech—it is the kind of thing Tucker Carlson could have written, and Carlson is a fool,” he said. www.politico.eu/article/sena...
Senior Republican senator ‘puzzled’ and ‘disturbed’ by Hegseth’s Ukraine remarks
Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker is breaking with the line from the Trump White House.
www.politico.eu
February 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
SecDef Pete Hegseth made a “rookie mistake” when he said returning to Ukraine’s pre-war borders “unrealistic,” SASC Chair Roger Wicker said.
“I don’t know who wrote the speech—it is the kind of thing Tucker Carlson could have written, and Carlson is a fool,” he said. www.politico.eu/article/sena...
“I don’t know who wrote the speech—it is the kind of thing Tucker Carlson could have written, and Carlson is a fool,” he said. www.politico.eu/article/sena...
BREAKING: Senate advances Pete Hegseth’s nomination to be defense secretary, 51-49. Tees up a confirmation vote in ~30 hours.
Two Republicans opposed moving forward with Hegseth: Collins and Murkowski.
Two Republicans opposed moving forward with Hegseth: Collins and Murkowski.
January 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
BREAKING: Senate advances Pete Hegseth’s nomination to be defense secretary, 51-49. Tees up a confirmation vote in ~30 hours.
Two Republicans opposed moving forward with Hegseth: Collins and Murkowski.
Two Republicans opposed moving forward with Hegseth: Collins and Murkowski.
The list of executive orders repealed by Trump includes Biden’s directive allowing transgender people to serve in the military, which reversed the ban from Trump’s first term.
January 21, 2025 at 2:01 AM
The list of executive orders repealed by Trump includes Biden’s directive allowing transgender people to serve in the military, which reversed the ban from Trump’s first term.
Senate Armed Services advanced Pete Hegseth’s nomination in a 14-13 party-line vote. A confirmation vote is expected later this week. www.politico.com/live-updates...
Senate committee advances Hegseth to lead Pentagon
The full chamber is likely to vote on his nomination later this week.
www.politico.com
January 20, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Senate Armed Services advanced Pete Hegseth’s nomination in a 14-13 party-line vote. A confirmation vote is expected later this week. www.politico.com/live-updates...
Pete Hegseth countered controversies around his nomination with denials, memory holes and attacking the “left-wing” media at his confirmation hearing.
That strategy may work for him — along with other Trump nominees. www.politico.com/news/2025/01...
That strategy may work for him — along with other Trump nominees. www.politico.com/news/2025/01...
Hegseth’s defense: Deny, blame and shrug
“How many senators have shown up drunk to vote at night?” one Republican senator asked in support of the Pentagon chief pick.
www.politico.com
January 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Pete Hegseth countered controversies around his nomination with denials, memory holes and attacking the “left-wing” media at his confirmation hearing.
That strategy may work for him — along with other Trump nominees. www.politico.com/news/2025/01...
That strategy may work for him — along with other Trump nominees. www.politico.com/news/2025/01...
House Dems named nine new members of the Armed Services Committee yesterday:
Jason Crow
Gil Cisneros
Eric Sorensen
Maggie Goodlander
Sarah Elfreth
George Whitesides
Derek Tran
Eugene Vindman
Wesley Bell
Jason Crow
Gil Cisneros
Eric Sorensen
Maggie Goodlander
Sarah Elfreth
George Whitesides
Derek Tran
Eugene Vindman
Wesley Bell
January 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
House Dems named nine new members of the Armed Services Committee yesterday:
Jason Crow
Gil Cisneros
Eric Sorensen
Maggie Goodlander
Sarah Elfreth
George Whitesides
Derek Tran
Eugene Vindman
Wesley Bell
Jason Crow
Gil Cisneros
Eric Sorensen
Maggie Goodlander
Sarah Elfreth
George Whitesides
Derek Tran
Eugene Vindman
Wesley Bell
Reposted by Connor O’Brien
Turf war breaks out over DC fighter jet squadron-RFK stadium deal
www.politico.com/news/2025/01... @reporterjoe.bsky.social Daniel Lippman and @connorobriennh.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/01... @reporterjoe.bsky.social Daniel Lippman and @connorobriennh.bsky.social
Turf war breaks out over DC fighter jet squadron-RFK stadium deal
Critics warn the transfer of a D.C. National Guard unit puts the nation’s capital in jeopardy.
www.politico.com
January 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Turf war breaks out over DC fighter jet squadron-RFK stadium deal
www.politico.com/news/2025/01... @reporterjoe.bsky.social Daniel Lippman and @connorobriennh.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/01... @reporterjoe.bsky.social Daniel Lippman and @connorobriennh.bsky.social
Senate Armed Services top Dem Jack Reed says following his meeting with SecDef pick Pete Hegseth: “Today’s meeting did not relieve my concerns about Mr. Hegseth’s lack of qualifications and raised more questions than answers.”
January 8, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Senate Armed Services top Dem Jack Reed says following his meeting with SecDef pick Pete Hegseth: “Today’s meeting did not relieve my concerns about Mr. Hegseth’s lack of qualifications and raised more questions than answers.”
House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers announced his slate of subcommittee chairs...
Cyber: Don Bacon
Intel/Special Ops: Ronny Jackson
Personnel: Pat Fallon
Readiness: Jack Bergman
Seapower: Trent Kelly
Strategic Forces: Scott DesJarlais
Tactical: Rob Wittman
Cyber: Don Bacon
Intel/Special Ops: Ronny Jackson
Personnel: Pat Fallon
Readiness: Jack Bergman
Seapower: Trent Kelly
Strategic Forces: Scott DesJarlais
Tactical: Rob Wittman
January 7, 2025 at 9:47 PM
House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers announced his slate of subcommittee chairs...
Cyber: Don Bacon
Intel/Special Ops: Ronny Jackson
Personnel: Pat Fallon
Readiness: Jack Bergman
Seapower: Trent Kelly
Strategic Forces: Scott DesJarlais
Tactical: Rob Wittman
Cyber: Don Bacon
Intel/Special Ops: Ronny Jackson
Personnel: Pat Fallon
Readiness: Jack Bergman
Seapower: Trent Kelly
Strategic Forces: Scott DesJarlais
Tactical: Rob Wittman
Biden on Monday signed an $895 billion Pentagon policy bill despite language he said he “strongly opposes” that restricts medical treatment for transgender youth. www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
Biden signs defense bill despite transgender care restrictions
Lawmakers removed some of the most controversial provisions during negotations on a final bill.
www.politico.com
December 24, 2024 at 3:47 PM
Biden on Monday signed an $895 billion Pentagon policy bill despite language he said he “strongly opposes” that restricts medical treatment for transgender youth. www.politico.com/news/2024/12...
In an NDAA statement, Biden criticizes care restrictions for transgender youth (which he just signed into law). Says it undercuts the force by denying care to troops’ kids.
“No service member should have to decide between their family’s health care access and their call to serve our Nation.”
“No service member should have to decide between their family’s health care access and their call to serve our Nation.”
December 24, 2024 at 2:50 AM
In an NDAA statement, Biden criticizes care restrictions for transgender youth (which he just signed into law). Says it undercuts the force by denying care to troops’ kids.
“No service member should have to decide between their family’s health care access and their call to serve our Nation.”
“No service member should have to decide between their family’s health care access and their call to serve our Nation.”
NEW: Biden has signed the NDAA into law after it cleared Congress last week.
December 24, 2024 at 2:19 AM
NEW: Biden has signed the NDAA into law after it cleared Congress last week.
The 14 senators who voted NO on the NDAA just now:
D: Baldwin, Booker, Kim, Markey, Merkley, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren, Welch, Wyden
R: Braun, Lee, Paul
I: Sanders
D: Baldwin, Booker, Kim, Markey, Merkley, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren, Welch, Wyden
R: Braun, Lee, Paul
I: Sanders
December 18, 2024 at 6:40 PM
The 14 senators who voted NO on the NDAA just now:
D: Baldwin, Booker, Kim, Markey, Merkley, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren, Welch, Wyden
R: Braun, Lee, Paul
I: Sanders
D: Baldwin, Booker, Kim, Markey, Merkley, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren, Welch, Wyden
R: Braun, Lee, Paul
I: Sanders
NEW: Senate passes the NDAA, 85-14.
The defense bill now heads to President Joe Biden to sign.
The defense bill now heads to President Joe Biden to sign.
December 18, 2024 at 6:04 PM
NEW: Senate passes the NDAA, 85-14.
The defense bill now heads to President Joe Biden to sign.
The defense bill now heads to President Joe Biden to sign.
NEW: Text of the CR to fund the government through March 14th has been released. All 1,547 pages of it: docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
docs.house.gov
December 17, 2024 at 11:42 PM
NEW: Text of the CR to fund the government through March 14th has been released. All 1,547 pages of it: docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
Reposted by Connor O’Brien
SCOOP: Trump donor Andrew McKenna is a leading contender for secretary of the Air Force, according to three people close to the transition www.politico.com/live-updates... by Jack Detsch @connorobriennh.bsky.social @reporterjoe.bsky.social
Trump eyes donor for Air Force chief
Andrew McKenna would be the latest Pentagon pick without experience in the building.
www.politico.com
December 17, 2024 at 9:33 PM
SCOOP: Trump donor Andrew McKenna is a leading contender for secretary of the Air Force, according to three people close to the transition www.politico.com/live-updates... by Jack Detsch @connorobriennh.bsky.social @reporterjoe.bsky.social
Per a person familiar, the House GOP Steering Committee selected 7 new members for the Armed Services Committee on Monday:
Derrick Van Orden
Mark Messmer
John McGuire
Derek Schmidt
Pat Harrigan
Abe Hamadeh
Jeff Crank
Derrick Van Orden
Mark Messmer
John McGuire
Derek Schmidt
Pat Harrigan
Abe Hamadeh
Jeff Crank
December 17, 2024 at 2:41 PM
Per a person familiar, the House GOP Steering Committee selected 7 new members for the Armed Services Committee on Monday:
Derrick Van Orden
Mark Messmer
John McGuire
Derek Schmidt
Pat Harrigan
Abe Hamadeh
Jeff Crank
Derrick Van Orden
Mark Messmer
John McGuire
Derek Schmidt
Pat Harrigan
Abe Hamadeh
Jeff Crank
The 12 votes against ending debate on the final NDAA in the Senate:
D: Baldwin, Booker, Markey, Merkley, Schatz, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren
R: Lee, Paul
I: Sanders
D: Baldwin, Booker, Markey, Merkley, Schatz, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren
R: Lee, Paul
I: Sanders
December 17, 2024 at 12:43 AM
The 12 votes against ending debate on the final NDAA in the Senate:
D: Baldwin, Booker, Markey, Merkley, Schatz, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren
R: Lee, Paul
I: Sanders
D: Baldwin, Booker, Markey, Merkley, Schatz, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren
R: Lee, Paul
I: Sanders
NDAA advances: Senate votes 83-12 to end debate on the defense bill. Actually similar to last year’s cloture vote (85-15).
Final vote could happen as early as Tuesday.
Final vote could happen as early as Tuesday.
December 16, 2024 at 11:41 PM
NDAA advances: Senate votes 83-12 to end debate on the defense bill. Actually similar to last year’s cloture vote (85-15).
Final vote could happen as early as Tuesday.
Final vote could happen as early as Tuesday.
Reposted by Connor O’Brien
Hegseth softens some of his tougher stances in his quest to win votes from centrists www.politico.com/news/2024/12... @reporterjoe.bsky.social @connorobriennh.bsky.social
Hegseth walks back controversial comments on women and gays in the military
The Pentagon pick backtracked after conversations with Republican senators seen as potential swing votes.
www.politico.com
December 13, 2024 at 12:52 PM
Hegseth softens some of his tougher stances in his quest to win votes from centrists www.politico.com/news/2024/12... @reporterjoe.bsky.social @connorobriennh.bsky.social
Schumer has set up a cloture vote on the NDAA at 5:30pm on Monday when the Senate returns.
That means the defense bill could be cleared as early as Tuesday. (If Schumer can get a time agreement.)
That means the defense bill could be cleared as early as Tuesday. (If Schumer can get a time agreement.)
December 12, 2024 at 10:32 PM
Schumer has set up a cloture vote on the NDAA at 5:30pm on Monday when the Senate returns.
That means the defense bill could be cleared as early as Tuesday. (If Schumer can get a time agreement.)
That means the defense bill could be cleared as early as Tuesday. (If Schumer can get a time agreement.)
House Armed Services top Dem Adam Smith tells Bloomberg of his former House colleague Tulsi Gabbard: "She didn't do that much on the committee that I noticed."
He also notes the concerns about her stances on Syria, Russia and Ukraine.
He also notes the concerns about her stances on Syria, Russia and Ukraine.
December 12, 2024 at 10:27 PM
House Armed Services top Dem Adam Smith tells Bloomberg of his former House colleague Tulsi Gabbard: "She didn't do that much on the committee that I noticed."
He also notes the concerns about her stances on Syria, Russia and Ukraine.
He also notes the concerns about her stances on Syria, Russia and Ukraine.
Schumer filed cloture on the NDAA agreement this morning after the House cleared it yesterday. That sets up a procedural vote with a 60-vote majority next week, and passage after that.
December 12, 2024 at 4:42 PM
Schumer filed cloture on the NDAA agreement this morning after the House cleared it yesterday. That sets up a procedural vote with a 60-vote majority next week, and passage after that.