Defense &
National Security
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Defense &
National Security
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Trump, Macron project unity amid Ukraine-Russia divide |
President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron sought to project unity during a White House meeting Monday, even as cracks widened in the alliance between the U.S. and Europe over the path forward in Ukraine. |
The two met at the Oval Office as the U.S. at the United Nations in New York voted against a resolution condemning Russia as the aggressor on the third anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
With that vote, the U.S. joined Russia and 16 other countries, including North Korea, Syria and Belarus as well as Israel and Hungary, while standing against longtime allies such as France, Germany, Great Britain and Canada.
Trump, who in the last two weeks has blamed Ukraine for triggering a war against its invader and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator, said he would rather not explain the rationale behind the vote when asked about it in the Oval Office, saying it was “self-evident.”
Meanwhile, he and Macron for the most part sought to project a warm and friendly relationship, putting on the smiles amid handshakes and ribbing. Macron, during a joint press conference, highlighted the need for European nations to shoulder more of a security burden on their own continent, something Trump has long complained about. He focused much of his remarks on calling for security guarantees for Ukraine and included peacekeeping forces provided by Europe, saying this was an area of agreement with Trump. “That’s a turning point, in my view,” Macron said, “and that is one of the great areas of progress that we’ve made during this trip and during this discussion.” Trump, who campaigned on ending the war, pressed for a ceasefire and repeatedly noted his administration is talking not only with Western Europe and Ukraine, but also with Russia.
Trump said Macron “agrees with me on many of the most important issues, chief among them is: This is the right time. It may be the only time [to end the war].”
The possibility that Trump and the U.S. could withdraw support from Ukraine has provoked great worries in Europe, but Macron for the most part in public did not put any disagreements on view Monday.
Read the full report at TheHill.com. |
Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. |
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How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future: |
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A group of Democrats have introduced a bill to protect diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the military following President Trump’s January executive order to dismantle such programming. The ‘Equal and Uniform Treatment in the Military Act – or the EQUITY Act – was introduced Monday by Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), the only Black woman on the House Armed Services Committee. The bill lists the history … |
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that the three fired judge advocates general (JAGs) were potential “roadblocks” to President Trump’s orders. “It’s not about roadblocks to an agenda,” Hegseth told reporters when asked how the military lawyers present roadblocks. “It’s roadblocks to orders that are given by a commander in chief,” he said. The JAGs’ job is to provide independent legal guidance to senior … |
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Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) in a statement on the Senate floor marking the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine accused President Trump of “siding” with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the United States’s traditional NATO allies. “Today on this third anniversary of Putin’s war, Donald Trump is turning his back on the values that America stands for, of democracy, of security, and of liberty,” Schumer … |
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Upcoming things we're watching on our beat: |
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President Trump hosted French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House for talks today, the same day as the three-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will travel tomorrow to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, his first trip to the base since confirmation.
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The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on the nomination of billionaire investor Stephen Feinberg to be deputy defense secretary, the Pentagon's No. 2 civilian position, at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.
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The House Appropriations defense subcommittee will have its “Member Day,” at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
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Trump is set to hold a meeting Thursday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House.
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill: |
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OPM tells HR leaders that response to Musk is ‘voluntary’ |
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) informed agency leaders that employee response to an email asking for a recap of what they accomplished last week is voluntary and that failure to do so will not be considered a resignation. The guidance given to the human resources officers at every agency … |
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Events in and around the defense world: |
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The National Defense Industrial Association will hold its 2025 Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Conference, at 8:10 a.m.
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The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace will have a discussion on “China and Ukraine,” at 9 a.m.
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Brookings Institution will host a conversation on “How Will Congress Approach U.S.-China Relations?” with Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), at 9 a.m.
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The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement will hold its Operational Energy Summit, at 9:15 a.m.
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A House Oversight subcommittee will hear from outside experts on “Emerging Global Threats: Putting America’s National Security First,” at 10 a.m.
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The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace will have a virtual discussion on “Russia’s War on Ukraine Three Years On,” at 10:15 a.m.
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A House Foreign Affairs subpanel will hold a hearing on “Missed Milestones: Evaluating The Last Four Years in the EAP (East Asian and Pacific) Region and Unseized Opportunities Under President Trump,” at 2 p.m.
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News we've flagged from other outlets: |
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Three years into war in Ukraine, Trump ushers in new world for Putin (The New York Times)
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VA staff told to reply to Musk’s ‘What did you do last week’ email (Military Times)
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Military parents seek help from Congress amid diversity purge at base schools, upcoming mass firings (Military.com)
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Two key stories on The Hill right now: |
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The Trump administration on Monday appeared to be quickly retreating from Elon Musk’s demand that all federal workers send an email by the end … Read more |
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Democrats are anxious to rebuild their party on the heels of President Trump’s victory in November. But they have a major problem as they try … Read more |
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Op-ed related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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