:

Pentagon

Esper Opposes Invoking Insurrection Act; DoD Reviewing Use Of National Guard Helicopter Over Protestors

By Matthew Beinart

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020

SHARE:

Esper Opposes Invoking Insurrection Act; DoD Reviewing Use Of National Guard Helicopter Over Protestors

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he opposes invoking a law that would allow the president to use the U.S. military for law enforcement in the response to nationwide demonstrations protesting police brutality against black Americans. Esper also noted he has directed the Army to investigate why a National Guard medevac helicopter was flying low over protesters during demonstrations in Washington, D.C. on Monday evening. “The option to use active duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be…

Congress

Key Defense Committee Members Face Tight Midterm Races, Including HASC GOP’ers In Virginia

As the mid-term elections near with polls showing an increasing likelihood of a switch in majority control in the House and potentially the Senate, three Virginia Republicans on the House […]

‘Theoretical Potential’ to Achieve 1,509 Combat-Coded Fighters by 2035, USAF Says

In the latest U.S. Air Force fighter force structure report submitted to Congress, the service speaks of a “theoretical potential” to achieve a goal of 1,509 combat-coded fighters in the […]

Budget

Hegseth Pushes For Reconciliation With At Least $350 Billion For Defense ‘Regardless’ Of Midterms Outcome

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday the Trump administration plans to continue its push for at least $350 billion in defense funds via the reconciliation process “regardless of what happens […]

Congress

Bipartisan Push in Senate to Hasten Export of 155 mm, GMLRS, HIMARS for Ukraine

A small, bipartisan group of senators is backing the Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine’s Defense Act, S. 5175, to hasten the export of allied buys of U.S. munitions for […]