


VA dismisses over 1,000 employees as part of probationary worker purge
Department leaders promised the dismissals will not hurt veterans' benefits or medical care and will save almost $100 million annually.

Veterans
Protestors demand VA oppose Trump efforts to trim federal workforce
Several dozen union members and VA employees rallied outside the department headquarters amid fears of staff cuts and funding reductions for the agency.

Watchdog agency’s closure could lead to more military financial scams
The White House moved to close the Consumer Financial Protection Board, which fielded 100,000 consumer complaints every month from veterans and troops.

LGBTQ Pride flags banned at VA facilities under new policy
Only the American flag and other state and military-related banners will be allowed to be displayed under the new department policy.

Trump says he and Putin agreed to begin talks on ending war in Ukraine
White House officials declined to clarify whether Ukraine would be a party to the U.S. negotiations.

House military personnel panel eyes reforms to recruiting efforts
Rep. Pat Fallon takes over the House Armed Services Committee's personnel panel as recruiting continues to pose a challenge to the military's future.

Hegseth calls NATO membership for Ukraine unrealistic
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also dismissed deploying U.S. troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force.

Hegseth makes first visit to NATO as allies await US plans for Ukraine
Washington's 31 allies are impatient to learn how much military and financial support Washington intends to provide Ukraine from now on.

Hegseth didn’t request $137K in military housing upgrades: Official
A U.S. official says the Army instead undertook the repairs on its own since the more than 100-year-old home needed work and security upgrades.

VA secretary tapped to temporarily lead 2 federal oversight offices
VA Secretary Doug Collins will lead the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of Special Counsel until new directors are named.

No plans to draw down US troops in Europe for now, Hegseth says
Top defense officials will conduct a reivew of U.S. troops deployed worldwide to determine future personnel levels overseas.

Ukraine’s rare earth elements could help keep US military aid flowing
Ukraine has offered to strike a deal with President Trump for continued U.S. military aid in exchange for developing Ukraine’s mineral industry.

DOD issues new rules limiting care, enlistment for transgender troops
Secretary Hegseth issued a memo to block transgender people from enlisting and cut off gender-related medical care for those who already serve.

US officials bound for Europe for top-level talks on Ukraine
Top Trump administration officials will meet with European officials this week about how to end the war in Ukraine, U.S. officials said.

Congress starts work this week on annual defense authorization bill
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Feb. 11, 2025.

Senators detail desired missile defense elements for Trump’s Iron Dome
Two senators introduced a bill that would authorize $19.5 billion for fiscal 2026 to build out Trump's "Iron Dome for America."

Pentagon cuts off Hegseth town hall webcast after transparency pledge
Hegseth also called "Our diversity is our strength" the "single dumbest phrase in military history," and intends to end the military's DEI programs.
