Military affairs reporter with The Washington Post. State-school alum. Beer-league softball enthusiast. Dog guy. Signal for encrypted tips: danlamothe.30
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For college journalists out there: The deadline to apply for the @washingtonpost's summer 2026 internship program is less than a month away, on Oct. 5. More details here: Newsroom Summer Internship Program - The Washington Post www.washingtonpost.com/pr/2024/wash...
Trump weighs in this morning about an award ceremony at West Point for Tom Hanks getting canceled. Here's the Washington Post scoop on that Saturday: wapo.st/486ATVP
This from Trump does not track with what officials have forecast as a possibility: Military maybe in a limited role, supporting ICE ops (which *also* remains legally contested). Some will laugh. Others will grit their teeth as a highly politicized issue becomes even more so.
West Point alumni group cancels award ceremony for Tom Hanks www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
SCOOP: West Point alumni group cancels award ceremony for Tom Hanks www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
If you know more about this decision, I want to talk. If you went to West Point and have opinions about it, same. Signal is danlamothe.30 Email is dan.lamothe (at) washpost.com
Tom Hanks's work portraying U.S. troops is extensive: "Saving Private Ryan," "Forrest Gump" and "Greyhound" among them. He also co-produced "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific." Hanks also has been a forceful advocate for The World War II Memorial and The National WWII Museum.
“This decision allows the Academy to continue its focus on its core mission of preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win as officers in the world’s most lethal force, the United States Army.”
Retired Army Col. Mark Bieger, president and chief executive officer of the West Point Association of Graduates, disclosed the decision in an email to faculty circulated Friday. A copy of Bieger’s message was reviewed and verified by The Washington Post.
SCOOP: West Point alumni group cancels award ceremony for Tom Hanks www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
President Donald Trump issued an executive order Friday to rebrand the Defense Department as the Department of War, bypassing federal law as his administration enthusiastically adopts the throwback title while claiming it will be “secondary” in nature. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
President Trump is expected to sign an executive order tomorrow giving the Defense Department a "secondary title" as the Department of War. White House officials now confirming. Looks like a way to use the title while juggling the law -- the 1947 National Security Act -- that gave DoD its name.
The grass really needed this. Me, looking out the windows in the D.C. area right now.
Totally missed this piece. Crediting now. Mea culpa!
The Navy reinstated Ronny Jackson's rank *three months ago.* This news comes today only after he himself discloses it. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
The Hartford Whalers would like a word. So would the Dallas Mavericks.
This is a departure from 20+ years of US drug interdiction policy. Today was a military operation, not law enforcement. VIDEO: U.S. Military Strikes Suspected Drug Vessel as Warships Gather in the Caribbean - USNI News news.usni.org/2025/09/02/u...
When President Trump used 32 U.S.C. § 502(f)(2) in 2020, that was to have out-of-state National Guard troops sent to D.C.—which has no sovereignty of its own. Sending the un-federalized TX National Guard into IL without the latter’s consent raises *serious* Article IV problems that 2020 … didn’t.
Me-OWW
Gov. Pritzker today: "In the absence of significant federal coordination, we’ve gathered information from unauthorized patriotic officials inside the government and from well-sourced reporters about Donald Trump’s plan, which is to deploy armed military personnel to the streets of Chicago."
"The Trump administration wants to use a Navy base north of Chicago as a launchpad for federal law enforcement activity against undocumented immigration, defense officials said Tuesday, as the White House contemplates also deploying thousands of U.S. troops." www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
The Chicago Sun Times Suntimes reported this morning on the discussions about Great Lakes, citing internal Navy emails. "These operations are similar to what occurred in Los Angeles earlier this summer. Same DHS team,” the base commander wrote to staff, according to emails cited by the Sun Times.
The acknowledgment comes after I reported Saturday for @washingtonpost.com that for weeks, there has been active military planning for a mission in Chicago as soon as next month that likely would complement ICE ops.
In a new statement, officials at Naval Station Great Lakes, north of Chicago, say today that they have been approached about using the base to provide "limited support" for ICE operations "in the form of facilities, infrastructure, and other logistical needs."
I went for nine years. We usually went at the beginning of the year and on holy days. Imagine that probably varies by school and diocese.
It's common for a Catholic school to hold a mass early in a school year. It's meant to be a celebration, a coming together, a way to start a school year on the right foot. Thinking and praying for all affected by this horror at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.
Today marks four years since an attack on Abbey Gate killed 13 U.S. troops and many more Afghans, and wounded dozens more people. It was a ghastly twist in a relentless crisis. Thinking of all involved. Thinking of all still struggling with their own scars from that long war.
Gov. Pritzker today, speaking about military planning for Chicago: "We found out what Donald Trump was planning the same way all of you did: we read a story in the The Washington Post." @washingtonpost.com
Trump today, on a potential military deployment to Chicago and Gov. Pritzker's opposition: "I think until I get that request from that guy, I'm not going to do anything about it." But Trump added: "We may just go in and do it, which is probably what we should do." Clear as mud what will happen.
On the Washington Post's "Post Reports" podcast today, I discuss ongoing military planning by the Trump administration to deploy troops to Chicago. www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/pos...
A new White House fact sheet stresses that Chicago has the most murders of any U.S. city in each of the last 13 years + the highest murder rate of any U.S. city w/ 1 million people. That sheet does *not* mention that numerous other cities have a significantly higher murder rate.
Was on MSNBC this hour discussing planning for military deployments to Chicago or other major American cities. www.msnbc.com/ana-cabrera-...
SCOOP: The Pentagon has for weeks been planning a military deployment to Chicago as President Donald Trump says he wants to crack down on crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration, in a model that could later be used in other major cities. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
He has, actually
Gov. Pritzker responds tonight's Washington Post scoop:
The story has both, to address exactly that point. Enjoy a block for acting in this manner.
The irony is not lost on me that I can hustle all day for a scoop, break news inconvenient for those in power, and still get reactions like this.
SCOOP: Pentagon plans military deployment in Chicago as Trump eyes crackdown Could include at least a few thousand National Guard members, likely deployed against the desires of state and local officials www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
EXCLUSIVE: The Pentagon has for weeks been planning a military deployment to Chicago as President Donald Trump seeks to crack down on crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration, in a model that could later be used in other major cities. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Controversial, yes. Illegal, no.
As of Thursday morning, 1,997 National Guard members have been mobilized for the D.C. mission, military officials say.
Was down at the D.C. Wharf tonight. Several groups of National Guard members were walking the area. All I encountered were friendly and professional. There's a bigger discussion going on. But small interactions like these are part of it, too.
🤣
One civ-mil affairs expert:
I see that now. Apologies.
There looks to be a coordinated reaction to The Washington Post's reporting today that falsely accuses the paper of publishing specific security vulnerabilities. Reaction like this comes after a string of undisputed WaPo scoops that have detailed dysfunction on Secretary Hegseth's team.
Crash early this a.m. on Capitol Hill involved a 14-ton D.C. National Guard Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (MATV) and is "currently undergoing an investigation," Capt. Tinashe T. Machona says. Civilian driver hospitalized with head laceration per @danlamothe.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: The Army agency tasked with protecting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under significant strain, juggling atypical needs and requests that have become increasingly untenable. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
As of this morning, 877 National Guard members have been mobilized for the mission in D.C., military officials say tonight.
Breathtaking video from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the stadium effect inside the eye of Hurricane Erin from last night’s pass These observations are crucial for improving forecasts and keeping people safe
Yes, I use both. It's two different audiences and I think it's important to boost stories as widely as I can.
Secretary Hegseth lives on a military installation and pays for it. So did Secretary Mattis when he was in office. So did in Secretary Pompeo when he was in office. Noem does not pay.
NEEEEWS: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem is living *for free* in a military home typically reserved for the U.S. Coast Guard’s top admiral, with no end in sight, officials familiar with the matter said. A retired commandant calls it housing "brinkmanship." wapo.st/4mike5W
White House official: "We are expecting the National Guard to begin being on the streets starting tonight."
"The documents, marked predecisional, are comprehensive and contain extensive discussion about the potential societal implications of establishing such a program. They were compiled by National Guard officials and bear time stamps as recent as late July and early August."
Another @washingtonpost.com SCOOP: Pentagon plan would create military ‘reaction force’ for civil unrest www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at the White House alongside President Trump, said that the National Guard will be mobilized and begin appearing on D.C. streets beginning this week.
D.C.'s falling violent crime stats, as seen in a new @washingtonpost.com graphic. There's no denying the city had a spike in violent crime in 2023, as President Trump was campaigning for president. There's also no denying that it already has receded.
A longer video of the collision between PLA Navy destroyer Guilin and a Chinese coast guard ship as they pursued a Philippines coast guard patrol vessel about 10 miles east of Scarborough Shoal
Still 🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗 from the Pentagon’s top leaders.
NEW: Laura Loomer knocks Medal of Honor recipient Flo Groberg in new attack on Army With back story and reaction: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Some people feel this way, no doubt. But she's also communicated directly with SECDEF, had a hand on the revocation of a West Point appointment, and influenced numerous firings. Respectfully, I have a responsibility to cover this world as it is.
Because her actions: 1) Are aimed squarely at the institution I cover 2) Attacked a modern war hero 3) Already have resulted in the firing of numerous people. Hence, newsworthy.
Because her actions: 1) Are aimed squarely at the institution I cover 2) Attacked a modern war hero 3) Already have resulted in the firing of numerous people. Hence, newsworthy.
NEW: Laura Loomer knocks Medal of Honor recipient Flo Groberg in new attack on Army With back story and reaction: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
She responded, in part: "Dan, what I will say is that we are, in good faith, providing a statement to the IG for this investigation. Unfortunately, for some reason, details of that have leaked..."
I asked: "So you're attacking somebody based on an assumption?"
Ms. Wilson said that by virtue of details from the IG review leaking, "we believe that this is a witch hunt and a total sham and being conducted in bad faith." I asked: How do you know who is leaking? She said that "We assume that it would be someone from the IG's office."
Can you explain the belief that this IG inquiry -- not yet released -- is a "sham"? And, will you take it seriously when the findings are released?
That came after this previous scoop, in which The Washington Post reported that details posted on Signal from SECDEF's Signal account derived from an email labeled SECRET/NOFORN. Hegseth Signal messages came from email classified ‘SECRET,’ watchdog told www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Coverage of that statement appears here. Hegseth's team said then that the IG inquiry "is a sham, conducted in bad faith and with extreme bias." Hegseth team lashes out at Pentagon’s internal ‘Signalgate’ review www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
First briefing at Pentagon today in a month, and w/ Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson taking Qs for first time. I asked about SECDEF's team recently suggesting that the ongoing, independent inspector general review of Signal usage at the Pentagon is a "witch hunt."
The shooter at Fort Stewart is a U.S. soldier, three U.S. officials familiar with the situation tell the Washington Post
Fox News shows mentioned Sydney Sweeney and her jeans ad 766 times in the span of a week. Jeffrey Epstein's name came up 53 times that same week, per @andrewkirell.bsky.social in today's Reliable Sources cnn.it/4foQAtk
Oodles of deeply reported, exclusive stories you can read first and only in the @washingtonpost.com this morning: Top Hegseth aide tried to oust senior White House liaison from Pentagon, scoops @danlamothe.bsky.social t.co/AzvsTV1WBl
This is a Carol Leonnig appreciation post. Not only is she a Washington Post institution and Pulitzer Prize winner, she's a cheerleader for the paper's younger journalists and an enthusiastic mentor for many. She's definitely going to be missed as she moves on.
Footnote here: Following Secretart Hegseth bypassing Lt. Gen. D.A. Sims for promotion, the Pentagon now has no confirmed director of the Joint Staff. Sims was celebrated with a "clapout" on Friday and is retiring. His expected replacement, Vice. Adm. Kacher, is not yet confirmed.
The clash between Ricky Buria, Hegseth’s acting chief of staff, and Matthew A. McNitt, who coordinates personnel policy as White House liaison at the Pentagon, appears rooted in Buria’s frustration with pushback from the White House as he has attempted to fill positions on Hegseth’s staff.
EXCLUSIVE: Top Hegseth aide Ricky Buria tried to oust a senior White House liaison from the Pentagon www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Another week at the Pentagon draws to a close with no routine news briefing. Last one: July 2 by Sean Parnell Previous ones: March 17 (Parnell and Lt. Gen. Grynkewich) June 22 (SECDEF Pete Hegseth and Gen. Caine) June 26 (Hegseth and Caine) Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson has held zero.
ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE from the @washingtonpost.com : The federal government is paying more than 154,000 people not to work. Great reporting from @merylkornfield.bsky.social @hannahnatanson.bsky.social @laurameckler.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
🧵A thread on covering Social Security this week... Earlier this month, the agency had quietly announced that it would now require people calling the main 1-800 number for some routine tasks to go through a multi-pronged authentication to prove they aren't fraudsters.
Respectful suggestion: If you want an independent first draft of history ... subscribe to the newspaper breaking these stories!
YET ANOTHER WAPO SCOOP: Smithsonian removes Trump from impeachment exhibit in American History Museum www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Jack, you are free to read or not. All I know is that we continue to crank out scoops, expose secrets, and generally be an important pain in the ass to whoever is in charge, as the good Lord intended.
I'm proud to work there, and I thank those of you who read and subscribe.
But it also regularly pries loose government secrets with a crowbar, gives voice to people whose stories need telling, and prompts necessary conversations among our fellow citizens. It’s an important and powerful institution, and I am privileged to be a part of it.
The Post, like many dynamic organizations, has flaws. Some of them certainly need addressing.
I'm staying because I'm covering stories that I believe are important with colleagues that I like and respect. That includes people with many more than my 11.5 years at The Post, and a couple who are brand new.
I'm staying because even after some body blows, The Post is one of the best damn newspapers in the country. I'm staying because I trust the editors of my national security team, Ben Pauker and Andy deGrandpre, and know that's hard to find.
Friends, a note about me and The Washington Post: I'm staying. I say that because in a season of buyouts, a number of my great colleagues are departing this month and numerous people have reached out to ask if I am, too. I am not.
Latest in a string of stories you can read only/first from the @washingtonpost: The federal government is paying more than 154,000 people not to work right now, under the Trump admin's resignation program w/ @merylkornfield.bsky.social @laurameckler.bsky.social wapo.st/3IRXIlK
NEW: Pete Hegseth’s team on Tuesday denounced an IG review of his actions in the “Signalgate” affair, calling the inquiry “clearly a political witch hunt” and asserting without evidence that details of the review were leaked by “Biden administration holdovers” www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Can verify that people familiar w/ the matter say Pete Hegseth has mused about running for political office in Tennessee, possibly governor. But there's a gubernatorial requirement there -- seven years of residency -- that Hegseth doesn't meet. Seriousness of this discussion is unclear.
Look, this isn’t high art, but if you’re old enough to have loved apex Sandler (Billy Madison, Happy, Bulletproof), this delivers what you’re looking for. 2 thumbs and one wooden hand up for me as well.
Patrick Weaver, a Hegseth adviser, complained to White House officials this spring with concerns that he could soon be directed by Hegseth or another member of his team to submit to a polygraph test. The possibility angered Weaver, who is seen as a loyal foot soldier to President Donald Trump.
The White House intervention, which has not previously been reported, came in the form of a phone call by an individual close to the administration after Hegseth’s team had begun administering polygraph tests to people around the defense secretary in April.
On Page 1 of @washingtonpost.com today, another exclusive: Hegseth team told to stop polygraph tests after complaint to White House www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
This discussion has been percolating for some time. The Joint Staff declined to comment when approached about it today. There are both Republicans and Democrats who think Sims got a raw deal here. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/u...
Can confirm the New York Times report today that Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Staff, had a promotion to four-star general seemingly secured and then pulled back by Secretary Hegseth. Sims seen in Pentagon by most as nonpartisan, straightforward and bright.