/tags/defense-department Defense Department en-US SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ä± Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:40:00 GMT /government-politics/2026-06-15/revised-pentagon-religious-codes-drop-pagans-and-other-minority-faiths-heres-what-to-know In a list released in May, the Trump administration dropped atheists, the Unitarian Universalist Church and other minority faiths who have to identify as "other" or "no religious preference." Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:40:00 GMT /government-politics/2026-06-15/revised-pentagon-religious-codes-drop-pagans-and-other-minority-faiths-heres-what-to-know Daylina Miller /news/2021-08-10/the-pentagon-has-moved-toward-making-vaccines-mandatory-for-service-members "To defend this Nation, we need a healthy and ready force," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memo to employees. Already, about 62% of active-duty service members are fully vaccinated. Tue, 10 Aug 2021 12:48:33 GMT /news/2021-08-10/the-pentagon-has-moved-toward-making-vaccines-mandatory-for-service-members James Doubek /news/2021-06-30/former-secretary-of-defense-donald-rumsfeld-has-died Rumsfeld, a longtime military thinker and Washington powerbroker, served twice as secretary of defense. He was 88. Wed, 30 Jun 2021 19:42:40 GMT /news/2021-06-30/former-secretary-of-defense-donald-rumsfeld-has-died Alana Wise /news/2021-06-23/defense-secretary-says-hell-support-removing-sexual-offense-cases-from-commanders Lloyd Austin endorses removing the prosecution of sexual assaults and related crimes from the military chain of command, but Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says the recommendation doesn't go far enough. Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:54:09 GMT /news/2021-06-23/defense-secretary-says-hell-support-removing-sexual-offense-cases-from-commanders Vanessa Romo /2021-05-15/biden-takes-muted-approach-to-violence-in-israel-and-gaza President Biden has offered few public comments on escalating violence between Israel and Hamas. The White House says it is focused on diplomacy behind the scenes. Sat, 15 May 2021 11:00:00 GMT /2021-05-15/biden-takes-muted-approach-to-violence-in-israel-and-gaza Scott Detrow /news/2021-04-30/what-happens-to-the-afghan-army-once-american-forces-leave An Afghan general is confident that his soldiers can defeat Taliban fighters. But the imminent withdrawal of U.S. troops, allied forces and contractors worries many observers of the war. Fri, 30 Apr 2021 10:51:45 GMT /news/2021-04-30/what-happens-to-the-afghan-army-once-american-forces-leave Tom Bowman /news/2021-02-01/trump-names-new-defense-team-ahead-of-senate-impeachment-trial Attorneys David Schoen and Bruce Castor Jr. will help defend the former president in next week's trial before the Senate on one article of impeachment, "incitement of insurrection." Mon, 01 Feb 2021 12:25:41 GMT /news/2021-02-01/trump-names-new-defense-team-ahead-of-senate-impeachment-trial Jaclyn Diaz /news/2021-01-22/lloyd-austin-confirmed-as-secretary-of-defense-becomes-first-black-pentagon-chief Austin's near-unanimous confirmation came despite concerns raised on both sides of the aisle that he hadn't been out of uniform for the legally mandated minimum seven-year period. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 16:16:22 GMT /news/2021-01-22/lloyd-austin-confirmed-as-secretary-of-defense-becomes-first-black-pentagon-chief Brakkton Booker /news/2020-12-09/house-approves-defense-bill-by-veto-proof-margin-despite-president-trumps-threats The House approved the final version of the annual defense with overwhelming bipartisan vote. The legislation is facing several veto threats from the president, which Congress may override. Wed, 09 Dec 2020 11:04:52 GMT /news/2020-12-09/house-approves-defense-bill-by-veto-proof-margin-despite-president-trumps-threats Claudia Grisales /2020-12-03/lawmakers-barrel-ahead-on-defense-bill-plans-balking-at-trump-veto-threat President Trump threatened to veto the annual defense bill if it doesn't include a provision to end a liability shield for tech companies. Key lawmakers say it's too late for such a demand. Thu, 03 Dec 2020 12:44:25 GMT /2020-12-03/lawmakers-barrel-ahead-on-defense-bill-plans-balking-at-trump-veto-threat Claudia Grisales