Dan Lamothe
danlamothe.bsky.social
Dan Lamothe
@danlamothe.bsky.social
Military affairs reporter with The Washington Post. State-school alum. Beer-league softball enthusiast. Dog guy. Signal for encrypted tips: danlamothe.30
Pinned
I remain reachable on Signal at danlamothe.30
FAA imposed extraordinary 10-day flight restrictions on airspace around El Paso late following a communications breakdown with the Pentagon and DHS, after a laser-based counterdrone weapon was used by DHS personnel without full integration, officials said.

www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
Breakdown between Pentagon, FAA led to flight stoppage, officials say
An extraordinary 10-day restriction on flights around El Paso was issued late Tuesday and lifted hours later, over concerns about the Defense Department’s use of a laser counter-drone weapon.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Yes, Puerto Rico is part of the U.S. But there also are 1 million Puerto Ricans in Florida and 5 million more in the Northeast.

I grew up in a neighborhood w/ a population that's about a quarter Puerto Rican. Tonight's halftime show was American, friends. Just a different kind.
February 9, 2026 at 4:14 AM
What a week.
February 8, 2026 at 2:07 AM
And so concludes another week w/ no news briefing at the Pentagon.

The last on-camera briefing was held for an alternative right-wing press corps more than two months ago, on Dec. 2.

The press space has been mostly vacant since the traditional press departed in October.
February 7, 2026 at 2:48 AM
John Phelan, Trump’s Navy secretary, listed in Epstein flight logs

Gift link:

wapo.st/3ZjqpNx
John Phelan, Trump’s Navy secretary, listed in Epstein flight logs
Documents indicate that Navy Secretary John Phelan was a passenger on Jeffrey Epstein’s Boeing 727 for two transatlantic flights in 2006.
wapo.st
February 7, 2026 at 2:38 AM
It's a dark day at The Washington Post and there's absolutely no reason to sugarcoat that.
February 4, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Dan Lamothe
Join us Thursday for a rally to #SaveThePost!! The rally will run from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at 1301 K St. NW!!

Bring friends! Bring gloves! Bring a love of journalism!
February 2, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Reposted by Dan Lamothe
I remain reachable on Signal at danlamothe.30
October 1, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Daily Mail: Trump's 'new media' darlings who relished their Pentagon takeover now feel gagged by Pete Hegseth

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Trump's 'new media' darlings now feel GAGGED
After Pete Hegseth's Pentagon sidelined veteran reporters, the 'New Media' vanguard's initial selfie-filled celebration quickly soured. Here is what they reveal.
www.dailymail.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 4:54 PM
And so concludes another week w/ no news briefing at the Pentagon.

The last on-camera briefing was held for an alternative right-wing press corps nearly two months ago, on Dec. 2.

The press space has been mostly vacant since the traditional press corps departed in October.
January 30, 2026 at 4:39 PM
A year ago today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived at the Pentagon for his first official day of work in the Trump administration.
January 27, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Recent news about The Washington Post is alarming, to say the least.

When we cover major news abroad, our national security team works hand in hand with our colleagues overseas.

When we cover unrest in Washington, we rely on our Metro colleagues for insight and street smarts.
January 27, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by Dan Lamothe
Exclusive: Border Patrol “Commander at Large” Gregory Bovino has been removed from his role and is expected to retire soon, sources tell @nickmiroff.bsky.social.
Gregory Bovino Gets Demoted
The Border Patrol chief was the public face of a traveling immigration crackdown on cities governed by Democrats.
bit.ly
January 27, 2026 at 12:30 AM
"Videos analyzed by The New York Times appear to contradict accounts given by Homeland Security officials about the shooting."

www.nytimes.com/live/2026/us...
Here’s the latest.
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:02 PM
And so concludes another week w/ no routine news briefing at the Pentagon.

The last on-camera briefing was held for the "new" right-wing press corps nearly two months ago, on Dec. 2.

The press space has been mostly vacant since the traditional press corps departed in October.
January 23, 2026 at 5:37 PM
NEW: Autopsy report classifies ICE detainee’s death as a homicide

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Autopsy report classifies ICE detainee’s death as a homicide
The report deeming an ICE detainee’s death in Texas a homicide comes the same day that a federal judge temporarily barred the deportation of two witnesses.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:57 AM
Still feels like this storm will deliver somewhere between six inches of snow and "The Day After Tomorrow."
a person is holding a piece of snow in their hands .
ALT: a person is holding a piece of snow in their hands .
media.tenor.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM
"We must end this uncivil war."

-- President Biden, five years ago today upon inauguration
January 20, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Where we are:

"... Military planners are modelling a U.S. invasion from the south, expecting American forces to overcome Canada’s strategic positions on land and at sea within a week and possibly as quickly as two days."

Such an order is still seen as unlikely, the officials add.
January 20, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Reposted by Dan Lamothe
Pentagon readies 1,500 soldiers to possibly deploy to Minnesota, officials say

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Pentagon readies 1,500 soldiers to possibly deploy to Minnesota, officials say
Soldiers with the Army’s 11th Airborne Division in Alaska have been placed at the ready following Trump’s Insurrection Act threat, according to defense officials.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:06 AM
About 1,500 soldiers w/ 11th Airborne Division in Alaska have been placed on prepare-to-deploy orders with a mission in Minnesota in mind, defense officials tell me tonight. Unclear if some or all of them ultimately will go.

News reported tonight by ABC News, too.
January 18, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Good Saturday evening to you.

Lots going on. As always, I'm reachable at dan.lamothe@washpost.com, here by DM, or on Signal at danlamothe.30 for tips as I cover the Pentagon.

Tell me what you're seeing, with thanks.
January 17, 2026 at 10:31 PM
NEW: Trump officials extend National Guard’s D.C. mission through 2026.

H/T earlier reporting from @halbritz.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Trump officials extend National Guard’s D.C. mission through 2026
The domestic military mission, which is the subject of an ongoing court challenge, was due to expire at the end of February.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:06 PM
And so concludes another week w/ no routine news briefing at the Pentagon.

The last on-camera briefing was held for the "new" right-wing press corps more than a month ago, on Dec. 2.

The press space has been mostly vacant since the traditional press corps departed in October.
January 16, 2026 at 10:13 PM