Latest Lloyd Austin News

Trump signs an order to revise the Pentagon’s policy on transgender troops
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to revise the Pentagon’s policy on transgender troops, likely setting in motion a future ban on their military service. He also on Monday ordered troops to be reinstated...

As Hegseth takes charge at the Pentagon, here's what changes could be in store
WASHINGTON (AP) — When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth starts his first official day on Monday morning, he will face a daunting array of issues to tackle — from global conflicts and border security to administrative tasks. At the top of his list is addressing President Donald...

Biden urges Americans to 'keep the faith' as he spends final full day as president in South Carolina
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Joe Biden spent his final full day as president Sunday in South Carolina, urging Americans to “keep the faith in a better day to come” and reflecting on the influence of both the civil rights movement and the state itself in his political trajectory. ...

It's not clear who will lead the Pentagon when Trump takes office. What happens then?
WASHINGTON (AP) — It is unclear who will take over at the Pentagon and the military services when the top leaders all step down Monday as President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office. As of Friday, officials said they had not yet heard who will become the acting defense...

Austin, the first Black defense secretary, ends his term marred by Afghanistan but buoyed by Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin bid farewell Friday to the forces and personnel he has led through a tumultuous term that had three major military crises, a global pandemic and a personal brush with cancer that became a flashpoint for the way it was mishandled. In...

Austin failed to tell Congress or the White House about his health problems as required, report says
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 's failure to inform Congress or the White House as required when he was incapacitated due to treatment for prostate cancer and later complications potentially raised “unnecessary” security risks, the Pentagon’s watchdog concluded in a highly...

US must not become complacent to a growing terrorism threat, a Counterterrorism Center official says
McLEAN, Va. (AP) — Brett Holmgren got woken up early on New Year's Day by alerts that a driver had plowed into a crowd of revelers in New Orleans. The rampage, which killed 14 people, was the deadliest attack on U.S. soil in years and was inspired by the Islamic State group. The...

Key takeaways from Pete Hegseth's fiery confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, publicly faced senators for the first time after weeks of questions from Democrats — and praise from Republicans — about his “unconventional” resume. Hegseth, a combat veteran and...

The Latest: Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing adjourns following Senate questioning
Confirmation hearings for Donald Trump’s cabinet picks begin this week, starting with Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. The hearing was held Tuesday with senators questioning whether the former combat veteran and TV news show host is fit to lead the U.S. military. ...

Hegseth's views on women in combat, infidelity and more — in his own words
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth tried to convince members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that he should be the next secretary of defense, as lawmakers peppered him with questions about his character and views on a range of military issues. An author of several...
