Konstantin Toropin
@ktoropin.bsky.social
Pentagon Reporter at @apnews.com | Military.com, CNN, and US Navy alum | Opinions are mine. RT, ♥️ ≠ endorsement.
The Secretary of Defense appears to have posted a document on X that shows he owes more than $33,000 in taxes following an audit.
Aside from his calls to defy the IRS, this raises a myriad of questions from the quality of the vetting that was done to his vulnerability to bribes.
Aside from his calls to defy the IRS, this raises a myriad of questions from the quality of the vetting that was done to his vulnerability to bribes.
February 17, 2025 at 8:45 PM
The Secretary of Defense appears to have posted a document on X that shows he owes more than $33,000 in taxes following an audit.
Aside from his calls to defy the IRS, this raises a myriad of questions from the quality of the vetting that was done to his vulnerability to bribes.
Aside from his calls to defy the IRS, this raises a myriad of questions from the quality of the vetting that was done to his vulnerability to bribes.
Jack McCain, one of the board members (Naval Academy) impacted reacts to his seeming ouster on Twitter/X -
February 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Jack McCain, one of the board members (Naval Academy) impacted reacts to his seeming ouster on Twitter/X -
BREAKING: President Trump says he is dismissing the boards of all the service academies.
In the last days of his last term, Trump packed the boards with loyalists like Kellyanne Conway and now-AG Pam Bondi.
Biden removed them when he got into office.
In the last days of his last term, Trump packed the boards with loyalists like Kellyanne Conway and now-AG Pam Bondi.
Biden removed them when he got into office.
February 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
BREAKING: President Trump says he is dismissing the boards of all the service academies.
In the last days of his last term, Trump packed the boards with loyalists like Kellyanne Conway and now-AG Pam Bondi.
Biden removed them when he got into office.
In the last days of his last term, Trump packed the boards with loyalists like Kellyanne Conway and now-AG Pam Bondi.
Biden removed them when he got into office.
Here’s the full memo -
February 8, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Here’s the full memo -
🚨BREAKING: US IndoPacific Command says that an aircraft crash in the Philippines has claimed the life of a U.S. servicemember and three contractors.
February 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
🚨BREAKING: US IndoPacific Command says that an aircraft crash in the Philippines has claimed the life of a U.S. servicemember and three contractors.
NEW: @potusbsky.bsky.social has announced that he is naming the next two Ford-class aircraft carriers after
former Pres. Bill Clinton and former Pres. George W. Bush.
The future USS William J. Clinton will be CVN 82 and the
future USS George W. Bush will be CVN 83
former Pres. Bill Clinton and former Pres. George W. Bush.
The future USS William J. Clinton will be CVN 82 and the
future USS George W. Bush will be CVN 83
January 13, 2025 at 9:16 PM
NEW: @potusbsky.bsky.social has announced that he is naming the next two Ford-class aircraft carriers after
former Pres. Bill Clinton and former Pres. George W. Bush.
The future USS William J. Clinton will be CVN 82 and the
future USS George W. Bush will be CVN 83
former Pres. Bill Clinton and former Pres. George W. Bush.
The future USS William J. Clinton will be CVN 82 and the
future USS George W. Bush will be CVN 83
Gen. Milley’s portrait now hangs in the Pentagon’s Joint Chiefs hallway.
Two details that jump out immediately - the US constitution book and the folded Ukraine map.
Two details that jump out immediately - the US constitution book and the folded Ukraine map.
January 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Gen. Milley’s portrait now hangs in the Pentagon’s Joint Chiefs hallway.
Two details that jump out immediately - the US constitution book and the folded Ukraine map.
Two details that jump out immediately - the US constitution book and the folded Ukraine map.
The Las Vegas Metro PD is sharing some details from the notes that Livelsberger had on his phone.
They say they were "varying on the spectrum in terms of political grievances, issues,...domestic issues, societal issues, a variety of other things including personal challenges as well."
They say they were "varying on the spectrum in terms of political grievances, issues,...domestic issues, societal issues, a variety of other things including personal challenges as well."
January 3, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The Las Vegas Metro PD is sharing some details from the notes that Livelsberger had on his phone.
They say they were "varying on the spectrum in terms of political grievances, issues,...domestic issues, societal issues, a variety of other things including personal challenges as well."
They say they were "varying on the spectrum in terms of political grievances, issues,...domestic issues, societal issues, a variety of other things including personal challenges as well."
Meanwhile, Jabbar's awards are less impressive but consistent with a soldier who served honorably as a high performer in a supporting job and was with an airborne unit at one point
He has several individual awards in both the Army Commendation and Achievement medals.
He has several individual awards in both the Army Commendation and Achievement medals.
January 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Meanwhile, Jabbar's awards are less impressive but consistent with a soldier who served honorably as a high performer in a supporting job and was with an airborne unit at one point
He has several individual awards in both the Army Commendation and Achievement medals.
He has several individual awards in both the Army Commendation and Achievement medals.
NEW: The Army has released the awards for Livensberger and Jabbar
Livensberger's awards are impressive & consistent with someone who served in special forces and saw combat
5 Bronze Stars, including 1 with a Valor device
Army Commendation with Valor
CIB, Special Forces tab
Livensberger's awards are impressive & consistent with someone who served in special forces and saw combat
5 Bronze Stars, including 1 with a Valor device
Army Commendation with Valor
CIB, Special Forces tab
January 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
NEW: The Army has released the awards for Livensberger and Jabbar
Livensberger's awards are impressive & consistent with someone who served in special forces and saw combat
5 Bronze Stars, including 1 with a Valor device
Army Commendation with Valor
CIB, Special Forces tab
Livensberger's awards are impressive & consistent with someone who served in special forces and saw combat
5 Bronze Stars, including 1 with a Valor device
Army Commendation with Valor
CIB, Special Forces tab
Livensberger and Jabbar were both at Bragg but LVMPD says their records don't show they served in either the same unit at the same time on the base.
Both were in Afghanistan in '09 too...but no evidence they were in the same province.
The also released Livensberger's route to Las Vegas -
Both were in Afghanistan in '09 too...but no evidence they were in the same province.
The also released Livensberger's route to Las Vegas -
January 2, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Livensberger and Jabbar were both at Bragg but LVMPD says their records don't show they served in either the same unit at the same time on the base.
Both were in Afghanistan in '09 too...but no evidence they were in the same province.
The also released Livensberger's route to Las Vegas -
Both were in Afghanistan in '09 too...but no evidence they were in the same province.
The also released Livensberger's route to Las Vegas -
The Las Vegas Metro PD just had a press conference to update on the Cybertruck explosion.
Some details learned:
Livensberger's military ID was found
As were a pistol and rifle
He shot himself in the head prior to detonation
Police are still waiting on DNA for formal ID
Some details learned:
Livensberger's military ID was found
As were a pistol and rifle
He shot himself in the head prior to detonation
Police are still waiting on DNA for formal ID
January 2, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The Las Vegas Metro PD just had a press conference to update on the Cybertruck explosion.
Some details learned:
Livensberger's military ID was found
As were a pistol and rifle
He shot himself in the head prior to detonation
Police are still waiting on DNA for formal ID
Some details learned:
Livensberger's military ID was found
As were a pistol and rifle
He shot himself in the head prior to detonation
Police are still waiting on DNA for formal ID
There are a lot of days that being a reporter sucks.
But occasionally, someone send you an email like this and its amazing how much it can lift one's spirits.
But occasionally, someone send you an email like this and its amazing how much it can lift one's spirits.
December 23, 2024 at 10:46 PM
There are a lot of days that being a reporter sucks.
But occasionally, someone send you an email like this and its amazing how much it can lift one's spirits.
But occasionally, someone send you an email like this and its amazing how much it can lift one's spirits.
Pentagon holiday cheer means a gingerbread Pentagon building, complete with Santa!
December 13, 2024 at 5:04 PM
Pentagon holiday cheer means a gingerbread Pentagon building, complete with Santa!
CENTCOM just revealed 2 US Navy destroyers again defended against a Houthi attack - at least the 2nd time in Dec. that these ships shot down Houthi missiles and drones.
The last attack was very similar: 4 missiles, 3 drones launched while escorting US-flagged merchants that were downed w/ missiles.
The last attack was very similar: 4 missiles, 3 drones launched while escorting US-flagged merchants that were downed w/ missiles.
December 10, 2024 at 10:16 PM
CENTCOM just revealed 2 US Navy destroyers again defended against a Houthi attack - at least the 2nd time in Dec. that these ships shot down Houthi missiles and drones.
The last attack was very similar: 4 missiles, 3 drones launched while escorting US-flagged merchants that were downed w/ missiles.
The last attack was very similar: 4 missiles, 3 drones launched while escorting US-flagged merchants that were downed w/ missiles.
The Navy's top spokesman confirmed to me that reports that surfaced over the weekend by right-leaning military posters of the Navy's top lawyer asking to retire are true.
Rear Adm. Perry said "French has submitted a voluntary retirement request to retire in the grade of rear admiral (upper half)"
Rear Adm. Perry said "French has submitted a voluntary retirement request to retire in the grade of rear admiral (upper half)"
December 9, 2024 at 8:37 PM
The Navy's top spokesman confirmed to me that reports that surfaced over the weekend by right-leaning military posters of the Navy's top lawyer asking to retire are true.
Rear Adm. Perry said "French has submitted a voluntary retirement request to retire in the grade of rear admiral (upper half)"
Rear Adm. Perry said "French has submitted a voluntary retirement request to retire in the grade of rear admiral (upper half)"
We are now at “all awards are made up BS except for, presumably, people we like” point of the conversation.
December 7, 2024 at 9:24 PM
We are now at “all awards are made up BS except for, presumably, people we like” point of the conversation.
Nobody tell her…
December 5, 2024 at 9:24 PM
Nobody tell her…
Military awards are now all things to all people, I guess.
On one hand, Pete Hegseth is "highly decorated" because he has 20+ awards including non-merit ones.
On the other hand, the Navy's top officer's awards are an example of bloat and the need to reform the system.
On one hand, Pete Hegseth is "highly decorated" because he has 20+ awards including non-merit ones.
On the other hand, the Navy's top officer's awards are an example of bloat and the need to reform the system.
December 4, 2024 at 10:01 PM
Military awards are now all things to all people, I guess.
On one hand, Pete Hegseth is "highly decorated" because he has 20+ awards including non-merit ones.
On the other hand, the Navy's top officer's awards are an example of bloat and the need to reform the system.
On one hand, Pete Hegseth is "highly decorated" because he has 20+ awards including non-merit ones.
On the other hand, the Navy's top officer's awards are an example of bloat and the need to reform the system.
The floor under Pete Hegseth seems to be cracking after yet another blockbuster article revealing serious issues with his behavior…
December 4, 2024 at 3:19 AM
The floor under Pete Hegseth seems to be cracking after yet another blockbuster article revealing serious issues with his behavior…
The Washington Post is reporting that a Deputy SECDEF has been named.
Looks like we’re NOT going with an experienced bureaucrat to keep business of the Pentagon moving while Hegseth learns the ropes
Looks like we’re NOT going with an experienced bureaucrat to keep business of the Pentagon moving while Hegseth learns the ropes
December 3, 2024 at 6:25 PM
The Washington Post is reporting that a Deputy SECDEF has been named.
Looks like we’re NOT going with an experienced bureaucrat to keep business of the Pentagon moving while Hegseth learns the ropes
Looks like we’re NOT going with an experienced bureaucrat to keep business of the Pentagon moving while Hegseth learns the ropes
Journalism can feel thankless and sometimes you’re not sure if you’re making a difference.
But sometimes your work is cited liberally by Congress in a big ol’ letter to the SECDEF.
…and that feels good.
But sometimes your work is cited liberally by Congress in a big ol’ letter to the SECDEF.
…and that feels good.
December 1, 2024 at 8:04 PM
Journalism can feel thankless and sometimes you’re not sure if you’re making a difference.
But sometimes your work is cited liberally by Congress in a big ol’ letter to the SECDEF.
…and that feels good.
But sometimes your work is cited liberally by Congress in a big ol’ letter to the SECDEF.
…and that feels good.
BREAKING: Trump announce John Phelan as his nominee for Secretary of the Navy - his first service secretary pick.
Phelan’s background is as an investment banker.
Phelan’s background is as an investment banker.
November 27, 2024 at 2:59 AM
BREAKING: Trump announce John Phelan as his nominee for Secretary of the Navy - his first service secretary pick.
Phelan’s background is as an investment banker.
Phelan’s background is as an investment banker.