Following a series of high-profile conflicts, President Trump has terminated Defense Secretary Mark Esper and appointed Chris C Miller, head of the National Counterterrorism Center, as Acting Defense Secretary:

Secretary Esper gave an interview to the Military Times the day after the election indicating he would not follow any further orders from the administration.  These public comments likely led to his removal.

Throughout the President’s first term in office politically-minded military flag officers have sought to undermine the administration effort to withdraw from global conflicts. During an interview with Bob Woodward, former Defense Secretary James Mattis admitted to plotting the overthrow of the U.S. government under Trump.

One of the more obvious exhibitions of the Pentagon outlook was in their support for Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman who attempted to frame a false impeachment effort because President Trump’s foreign policy did not align with the preferred intervention approach of the military industrial complex.  {Go Deep}

Five days ago an American was kidnapped in Niger and taken to the neighboring country of Nigeria. Today U.S. special forces carried out a daring operation and successfully rescued him. Philip Walton, 27, was recovered by SEAL Team Six.

According to the Pentagon, the mission was undertaken by the elite commandos as part of a rescue operation before his abductors could get far after taking him captive in Niger on Oct. 26.

(Pentagon) Statement by Jonathan Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs:

“U.S. forces conducted a hostage rescue operation during the early hours of 31 October in Northern Nigeria to recover an American citizen held hostage by a group of armed men. This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the U.S. Department of State. No U.S military personnel were injured during the operation.

(more…)

Heavy news day.  Lots to cover and much more will come including an update on Durham and Aldenberg now investigating the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI).

Starting the day, here is a message from President Trump updating on the status of the United States military.  President Trump doesn’t message without purpose, he has keen political instincts; perhaps the best ever…

(more…)

Earlier today President Trump shared an incredible story of heroism by the Air National Guard during California wildfires.  Their incredible act of heroism during the Sept 5th  Creek Fire saved 242 adults and children.  [Video Below – Transcript Will Follow]

UPDATE: Transcript Added

.

[Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. This is a great honor. And this is a beautiful aircraft we’re looking at. Look at that beautiful, very expensive plane — for good reason.

Today it’s my profound honor to award seven extraordinary soldiers with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their remarkable courage to rescue their fellow citizens. I want to very much thank Major General Matthew Beevers for being with us today. Thank you, General. Thank you very much. Thank you, General, very much. It’s a great honor to see you.

(more…)

Earlier today President Trump presented the Congressional Medal of Honor for Sgt. Major Thomas “Paqtrick” Payne, U.S. Army. President Trump called Payne: “one of the bravest men anywhere in the world” for his role in a daring 2015 mission to rescue dozens of hostages who were set to be executed by Islamic State militants in Iraq.

Payne negotiated a barrage of enemy gunfire and repeatedly entered a burning building in a harrowing effort that saved more than 70 hostages. [Video and Transcript Below]

.

[Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Chaplain Winton. Really, a beautiful job. And thank you for your service.

Please. Thank you.

(more…)

Today President Donald Trump will delivers remarks on designating Wilmington, NC as an American World War II Heritage City – on board Battleship, North Carolina in Wilmington, NC. [Anticipated Start time 2:30pm ET]

UPDATE – Video and Transcript Added:

.

[Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. And that was some greeting we had in North Carolina. I’ll tell you, I don’t know if you saw the crowd outside, but it’s pretty amazing. But we’ve had it in Texas, in Ohio, South Carolina, Florida. It’s just incredible what’s happening. Please, sit down. Please.

And I’m honored to be in North Carolina, in the presence of true American heroes, as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the American victory in World War Two. And a victory it was.

(more…)

Earlier today President Trump met with the family of service member SPC Vanessa Guillen who was brutally murdered. President Trump promised to deliver justice for the 20 year-old who was found dismembered and burned after last being seen in a parking lot at Fort Hood, where she was stationed, on April 22.

A courageous & stunning conversation in the oval office [Video and Transcript Below]

.

[Transcript] MRS. GLORIA GUILLÉN: (As interpreted.) Thank you for having us. Thanks you for receiving us.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.

MRS. GLORIA GUILLÉN: (As interpreted.) It’s an honor to be here.

(more…)

Much ado is being made over President Trump wearing a mask while visiting wounded soldiers and veterans at Walter Reed hospital earlier today.   It seems a little silly to build a media narrative around taking precautions in the #1 place you would take prudent precautions, but whatever.   It’s always better with theme music:

.

President Trump was accompanied by: Colonel Andrew Barr, Director, WRNMMC; Master Chief Randy Swanson; Command Master Chief Captain Gerard Woelkers, NMRTC Commander; Colonel Marion Jefferson, Troop Command; and Sergeant Major Jeffrey Zak, Command Sergeant Major.

(more…)

Earlier today President toured Fincantieri Marine shipyard and delivered remarks about the historic $5 billion dollar contract the Administration recently granted Fincantieri Marinette Marine. This is the first visit by a sitting President to the city of Marinette, Wisconsin.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine is a United States subsidiary of Italian enterprise Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, the shipyard was established in 1942 to meet America’s growing demand for naval construction.

The Trump Administration’s contract to build up to ten new guided missile frigates worth nearly $5.5 billion, will secure the future of the shipyard. Fincantieri plans to invest $130 million in upgrades to the facility, add approximately 1,000 jobs and projects that the investment will create 15,000 additional jobs in the Wisconsin and Michigan supply chains.

[Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, it’s a good song, isn’t it though? Lee Greenwood.

And thank you very much. I’m thrilled to be here with you on this incredible summer day in Wisconsin on the edge of the beautiful Lake Michigan — that is beautiful too; I know it well — with the legendary workers of Marinette Marine. And you now have a lot of contracts because of the United States government. You’re going to — you’re going to be so busy. (Applause.) You’re going to be so busy. I know you went through a little bit of a hard time; not anymore. Not anymore. Got you covered for years.

(more…)

Today, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and remember the brave American soldiers who selflessly sacrificed their lives in the fight for peace.

Attending with the President and First Lady was Secretary David Bernhardt, Department of the Interior; Secretary Robert Wilkie, Department of Veteran Affairs; and Ambassador Lee Soo Hyuck, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States

.

Korean War Veteran Participants Included:

(more…)