Davis Winkie
@winkie.bsky.social
White House reporter for @usatoday.com || mostly part-time Guard guy || priors: Military Times, CNN, Army Guard officer || bylines: ProPublica, POLITICO, Texas Tribune & more || views mine || DM for Signal || davis.winkie[at]pm.me
Reposted by Davis Winkie
The military has long struggled to keep its part-time troops fit. Can the Army crack the code?
Hegseth wants a fitter military, but significant barriers hold back part-time troops
The military has long struggled to keep its part-time troops fit. Can the Army crack the code?
bit.ly
October 23, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The military has long struggled to keep its part-time troops fit. Can the Army crack the code?
Reposted by Davis Winkie
75% of nuclear weapons agency staff is furloughed.
Under 400 remain on the job without pay in order to ensure the safety and security of the nuclear stockpile.
Read more from Outrider fellow @winkie.bsky.social @usatoday.com:
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Under 400 remain on the job without pay in order to ensure the safety and security of the nuclear stockpile.
Read more from Outrider fellow @winkie.bsky.social @usatoday.com:
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
October 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
75% of nuclear weapons agency staff is furloughed.
Under 400 remain on the job without pay in order to ensure the safety and security of the nuclear stockpile.
Read more from Outrider fellow @winkie.bsky.social @usatoday.com:
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Under 400 remain on the job without pay in order to ensure the safety and security of the nuclear stockpile.
Read more from Outrider fellow @winkie.bsky.social @usatoday.com:
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
@wellerstein.bsky.social, just shot you a DM request.
October 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
@wellerstein.bsky.social, just shot you a DM request.
Reposted by Davis Winkie
Was in a decommissioned nuclear silo when @winkie.bsky.social turned to me and said: "Hey, have you read this report about the guy who uploaded 30 years worth of porn to a government computer?"
Man Stores AI-Generated Robot Porn on His Government Computer, Loses Access to Nuclear Secrets
A man who works for the people overseeing America’s nuclear stockpile has lost his security clearance after he uploaded 187,000 pornographic images to a Department of Energy (DOE) network. As part of ...
www.404media.co
October 14, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Was in a decommissioned nuclear silo when @winkie.bsky.social turned to me and said: "Hey, have you read this report about the guy who uploaded 30 years worth of porn to a government computer?"
NEW DEEP DIVE — DOGE has put the National Nuclear Security Administration’s nuclear weapons modernization efforts at risk, we found after digging into decades of watchdog reports and interviewing current/former officials and experts. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Nuclear weapons woes: Understaffed nuke agency hit by DOGE and safety worries
The consequences of DOGE's disruptions at the National Nuclear Security Administration could be far-reaching, experts say.
www.usatoday.com
May 19, 2025 at 5:07 PM
NEW DEEP DIVE — DOGE has put the National Nuclear Security Administration’s nuclear weapons modernization efforts at risk, we found after digging into decades of watchdog reports and interviewing current/former officials and experts. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
The consequences of DOGE's disruptions at the National Nuclear Security Administration could be far-reaching, according to experts. I discussed the issues on today's edition of @usatoday.com’s The Excerpt. art19.com/shows/5-thin...
Former President Joe Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive form' of prostate cancer
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
President Donald Trump's tax bill passed in a key House committee vote.
USA TODAY White House Reporter Davis Winkie talks about an...
art19.com
May 19, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The consequences of DOGE's disruptions at the National Nuclear Security Administration could be far-reaching, according to experts. I discussed the issues on today's edition of @usatoday.com’s The Excerpt. art19.com/shows/5-thin...
Reposted by Davis Winkie
Maintaining and modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal will cost nearly $1 trillion over the next decade, according to the CBO.
That’s $190 billion more than the previous estimate.
Read @winkie.bsky.social report in @usatoday.com
That’s $190 billion more than the previous estimate.
Read @winkie.bsky.social report in @usatoday.com
Price of US nuclear weapons jumps 25% to nearly $1 trillion by 2034, budget office says
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office's estimate does not include recently discovered cost overruns in the Sentinel missile project.
buff.ly
May 5, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Maintaining and modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal will cost nearly $1 trillion over the next decade, according to the CBO.
That’s $190 billion more than the previous estimate.
Read @winkie.bsky.social report in @usatoday.com
That’s $190 billion more than the previous estimate.
Read @winkie.bsky.social report in @usatoday.com
Reposted by Davis Winkie
Introducing @winkie.bsky.social, Outrider's newest reporting Fellow!
Davis will cover the White House for @usatoday.com, focusing on nuclear threats and national security. Learn more about him, and read his latest stories:
Davis will cover the White House for @usatoday.com, focusing on nuclear threats and national security. Learn more about him, and read his latest stories:
Outrider Foundation Announces Fellowship in Partnership with USA TODAY and Journalism Funding Partners.
Davis Winkie will cover the White House for USA TODAY, focusing on nuclear threats and national security.
buff.ly
February 22, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Introducing @winkie.bsky.social, Outrider's newest reporting Fellow!
Davis will cover the White House for @usatoday.com, focusing on nuclear threats and national security. Learn more about him, and read his latest stories:
Davis will cover the White House for @usatoday.com, focusing on nuclear threats and national security. Learn more about him, and read his latest stories:
My latest overnight for @usatoday.com alongside colleagues Tom Vanden Brook & Zac Anderson.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Trump removes Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. CQ Brown in purge of military leaders
Brown is among the senior military officials the Trump administration has linked to Biden-era diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
www.usatoday.com
February 22, 2025 at 2:19 PM
My latest overnight for @usatoday.com alongside colleagues Tom Vanden Brook & Zac Anderson.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Davis Winkie
WRITERS: I am launching a movie column at @militarydotcom.bsky.social, tentatively titled 'Theater of War.'
I am looking for compelling analyses of war movies new and old, whether it's of a specific scene or a broader theme.
Send pitches to jared.keller [at] monster dot com
I am looking for compelling analyses of war movies new and old, whether it's of a specific scene or a broader theme.
Send pitches to jared.keller [at] monster dot com
February 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
WRITERS: I am launching a movie column at @militarydotcom.bsky.social, tentatively titled 'Theater of War.'
I am looking for compelling analyses of war movies new and old, whether it's of a specific scene or a broader theme.
Send pitches to jared.keller [at] monster dot com
I am looking for compelling analyses of war movies new and old, whether it's of a specific scene or a broader theme.
Send pitches to jared.keller [at] monster dot com
Reposted by Davis Winkie
President Trump's Jan. 27 order – “The Iron Dome for America” – directs the Pentagon to plan a “next generation missile defense shield” to guard against any threat from any foe. Will it make the USA safe?
The latest from Outrider fellow @winkie.bsky.social of @usatoday.com:
The latest from Outrider fellow @winkie.bsky.social of @usatoday.com:
Will Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’ missile defense make Americans safer? It’s complicated
Space-based interceptors and "particle beams" are part of a new multi-billion-dollar Trump order to build a new U.S. missile defense system.
buff.ly
February 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
President Trump's Jan. 27 order – “The Iron Dome for America” – directs the Pentagon to plan a “next generation missile defense shield” to guard against any threat from any foe. Will it make the USA safe?
The latest from Outrider fellow @winkie.bsky.social of @usatoday.com:
The latest from Outrider fellow @winkie.bsky.social of @usatoday.com:
My old Army unit called me today — two years after my interservice transfer — looking for OCIE gear that I returned in June 2022 🤠
~~~
A wild FLIPL appeared!
DAVIS used OCIE CLEARANCE MEMO!
It’s super effective!
~~~
A wild FLIPL appeared!
DAVIS used OCIE CLEARANCE MEMO!
It’s super effective!
December 10, 2024 at 1:08 AM
My old Army unit called me today — two years after my interservice transfer — looking for OCIE gear that I returned in June 2022 🤠
~~~
A wild FLIPL appeared!
DAVIS used OCIE CLEARANCE MEMO!
It’s super effective!
~~~
A wild FLIPL appeared!
DAVIS used OCIE CLEARANCE MEMO!
It’s super effective!
Reposted by Davis Winkie
I received two cards for #VeteransDay2024
Who do we think did it better? My Kindergartener's class (Only two students had family that served and got cards) or @winkie.bsky.social
Who do we think did it better? My Kindergartener's class (Only two students had family that served and got cards) or @winkie.bsky.social
November 19, 2024 at 4:28 PM
I received two cards for #VeteransDay2024
Who do we think did it better? My Kindergartener's class (Only two students had family that served and got cards) or @winkie.bsky.social
Who do we think did it better? My Kindergartener's class (Only two students had family that served and got cards) or @winkie.bsky.social
I am in the tall guy sweet spot for this concert — my view remains unobstructed, and I’m not blocking anyone behind me
November 14, 2024 at 1:59 AM
I am in the tall guy sweet spot for this concert — my view remains unobstructed, and I’m not blocking anyone behind me
Reposted by Davis Winkie
These emails came in 2021. Cox directed Turley to conduct a command climate survey, but the state didn’t launch a former investigation into the general until @winkie.bsky.social emailed Cox’s office about the Army’s investigation the next year.
November 22, 2023 at 10:36 PM
These emails came in 2021. Cox directed Turley to conduct a command climate survey, but the state didn’t launch a former investigation into the general until @winkie.bsky.social emailed Cox’s office about the Army’s investigation the next year.
Reposted by Davis Winkie
Emails show guard members warned Gov. Cox of alleged misconduct by the Utah National Guard’s top commander two years before he stepped down following an Army investigation. (with help from @winkie.bsky.social, published with @militarytimes.bsky.social) 1/ www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Gov. Cox relieved Utah National Guard commander 2 years after first learning of problems
Gov. Spencer Cox received multiple allegations that Army Maj. Gen. Michael Turley had allegedly created an ‘extremely dangerous’ climate in the Utah National Guard two years before the governor pl...
www.sltrib.com
November 22, 2023 at 10:32 PM
Emails show guard members warned Gov. Cox of alleged misconduct by the Utah National Guard’s top commander two years before he stepped down following an Army investigation. (with help from @winkie.bsky.social, published with @militarytimes.bsky.social) 1/ www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
NEW FEATURE: We’re awaiting more info how the Army’s recruiting reforms will unfold, but the details we have echo the structure & vision of Accessions Command — a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ HQ cut for budget in 2012.
Was that the moment the Army’s recruiting tailspin became terminal?
www.armytimes.com/news/recruit...
Was that the moment the Army’s recruiting tailspin became terminal?
www.armytimes.com/news/recruit...
Army recruiting reforms go ‘back to the future’ to fix ongoing crisis
The Army appears to have modeled recruiting reforms after a defunct organization that fell victim to budget cuts, not performance.
www.armytimes.com
November 9, 2023 at 2:18 PM
NEW FEATURE: We’re awaiting more info how the Army’s recruiting reforms will unfold, but the details we have echo the structure & vision of Accessions Command — a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ HQ cut for budget in 2012.
Was that the moment the Army’s recruiting tailspin became terminal?
www.armytimes.com/news/recruit...
Was that the moment the Army’s recruiting tailspin became terminal?
www.armytimes.com/news/recruit...
NEW: I toured two homes at Fort Eisenhower — whose housing contractor, Balfour Beatty, has faced criminal charges and investigations from the Senate and Army alike — w/SECARMY on Friday. Here's what I saw (including the fastest work order in history). www.armytimes.com/news/your-ar...
Army secretary tours Fort Eisenhower homes after Senate probe, audits
Army Times accompanied the Army's top civilian on an inspection of family homes at the Georgia post.
www.armytimes.com
November 1, 2023 at 6:24 PM
NEW: I toured two homes at Fort Eisenhower — whose housing contractor, Balfour Beatty, has faced criminal charges and investigations from the Senate and Army alike — w/SECARMY on Friday. Here's what I saw (including the fastest work order in history). www.armytimes.com/news/your-ar...
The Texas National Guard is seemingly at it again. www.texastribune.org/2023/10/17/t...
October 18, 2023 at 3:24 AM
The Texas National Guard is seemingly at it again. www.texastribune.org/2023/10/17/t...
SCOOP: Despite all the controversy and speculation about Army Special Operations cuts, it turns out a “significant portion” will fall on empty billets that ARSOF just can’t fill. More details from today’s closed-door briefing that occurred on Capitol Hill: www.armytimes.com/news/your-ar...
Pentagon briefs Hill on Army spec ops cuts, vacant slots targeted
The Army's number two civilian and Pentagon special operations officials spoke to committee staff members Thursday.
www.armytimes.com
October 12, 2023 at 11:42 PM
SCOOP: Despite all the controversy and speculation about Army Special Operations cuts, it turns out a “significant portion” will fall on empty billets that ARSOF just can’t fill. More details from today’s closed-door briefing that occurred on Capitol Hill: www.armytimes.com/news/your-ar...
Very full house for a panel discussion on the Army’s recruiting reforms here at #AUSA
October 9, 2023 at 7:03 PM
Very full house for a panel discussion on the Army’s recruiting reforms here at #AUSA
NEW: The Army is currently sitting on an internal barracks strategy — its proponents believe it could fix the service’s high-profile barracks problems by 2030. The catch, of course, is that it would take an additional $4 billion beyond their current budgeted funds. Will leaders and lawmakers bite?
Army has a draft plan to fix its barracks by 2030, but will it happen?
Now armed with a price tag, will Army leaders prioritize fixing failing barracks?
www.armytimes.com
October 5, 2023 at 7:52 PM
NEW: The Army is currently sitting on an internal barracks strategy — its proponents believe it could fix the service’s high-profile barracks problems by 2030. The catch, of course, is that it would take an additional $4 billion beyond their current budgeted funds. Will leaders and lawmakers bite?
First post on the sky app — no better way to start it than to reshare one of my most deeply reported stories ever.
SPECIAL REPORT: An 18-month investigation by Military Times and
@TexasTribune
reveals how a group of intelligence officers from the Texas National Guard mishandled classified information and used WhatsApp to spy on migrants in Mexico.
@TexasTribune
reveals how a group of intelligence officers from the Texas National Guard mishandled classified information and used WhatsApp to spy on migrants in Mexico.
Texas Guardsmen spied on migrants via WhatsApp, mishandled secret docs
An investigation by Military Times and The Texas Tribune charts the rise and fall of a military intelligence directorate gone rogue on the border.
www.armytimes.com
October 5, 2023 at 1:25 AM
First post on the sky app — no better way to start it than to reshare one of my most deeply reported stories ever.