Latest news with #ArmedServicesCommittee
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Democratic senator presses Hegseth over whether he'd follow orders from President Trump to shoot protesters
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed with Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) on the Senate Armed Services Committee over whether he would follow orders for the military to shoot American protesters if they were handed down by President Donald Trump.
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Democratic senator presses Hegseth over whether he'd follow orders from President Trump to shoot protesters
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed with Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) on the Senate Armed Services Committee over whether he would follow orders for the military to shoot American protesters if they were handed down by President Donald Trump.
Axios
3 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Scoop: Bipartisan duo wants to ban cellphones in military's K-12 schools
Congress is joining the phone wars, with a bipartisan pair of freshmen senators introducing a bill on Tuesday that would ban the use of cellphones in schools for kids of U.S. military members. Why it matters: Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) — both veterans who sit on the Armed Services Committee — want to draw attention to an issue that bedevils parents and experts alike. There are more than 65,000 children of service members who attend DoDEA schools in the U.S. and overseas. Some school districts already ban students from using their cellphones during the school day. Research highlights the harms of cellphones — and social media — to child development, but implementing changes has been challenging. Driving the news: The Banks and Slotkin bill is titled"Restoring our Educational Focus on Children of U.S. Service Members at" Department of Defense Educational Activity — or REFOCUS DoDEA Act. "Cell phones in the classroom distract from learning and lead to all kinds of issues for students," Banks said in a statement first provided to Axios. "At school students should be able to focus, learn, and build real relationships, and we cannot shy away from taking bold action to support that goal, including banning cell phones in the classroom," Slotkin said in her statement. The bill allows for exceptions such as medical emergencies and lets DoDEA decide where and how cellphones should be stored. Zoom out: Just this year, governors of Arizona, Arkansas and New York have signed school cellphone bans into law. D.C. officials announced this month they would enforce a ban next school year.
NBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Trump presides over a military parade amid turmoil at home and abroad
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump presided over a parade Saturday celebrating the nation's military power and history, though the event was shadowed by political violence at home and escalating tensions abroad. Trump's appearance on the reviewing stand south of the White House capped a harrowing day in which a Minnesota state lawmaker and her spouse were murdered — and another Democratic legislator and his wife wounded — in what authorities called a 'politically motivated' attack. A shooting war has broken out between two longtime Middle East foes, Iran and Israel. And in a further distraction from the parade Trump has long coveted, protesters around the country rallied against the spectacle, turning out by tens of thousands in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and other cities. Animating the demonstrations was a two-word rallying cry: "No kings." The weather didn't fully cooperate, either. The winds picked up and a light drizzle commenced just as the tanks were about to roll. The parade was supposed to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, but was moved up a half hour in deference to the weather, a U.S. Secret Service official said. Army tanks, their treads squeaking against the pavement, trundled along Constitution Avenue under an intermittent drizzle. Hundreds of people were still stuck in line, even as the parade was coming to a close two hours later. Some of the planned flyovers had to be cancelled. Still, the crowd gathered on the National Mall looked up appreciatively as helicopters flew overhead in formation. The parade came on the 250 th anniversary of the Army and, as it happens, Trump's 79 th birthday. The timing sparked criticism that the parade was intended as much a celebration of one man as it was the Army. The military estimated the cost between $25 million and $40 million. "The whole idea — doing it on Trump's birthday ... We don't do this in America," Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., a member of the Armed Services Committee, said. "We do not celebrate individual leaders. We celebrate the Constitution and we celebrate the country." Trump has long pined for a military parade, having been impressed with the Bastille Day celebration he saw in Paris in 2017, the first year of his last term, a former White House official said. His staff put off the idea, citing the cost and the rarity of such spectacles. The last time the nation showed off its military hardware in this fashion came in 1991, at the end of the first Gulf War. Trump watched approvingly from a viewing stand, flanked by first lady Melania Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. All were cheered by the crowd. The commander-in-chief saluted the flag during the national anthem and the troops as they marched past. If Trump hoped the parade would be a unifying moment for the country, the run-up to the event underscored America's divisions. The week began with the president deploying California National Guard troops to counter protests of immigration raids in the Los Angeles area. It ended with the shootings in Minnesota. An FBI manhunt was underway for the suspect following the attacks on the two Democratic state lawmakers and their spouses. State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in the attack. Vice President JD Vance called Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — his opponent in last year's vice presidential debate — to express condolences, a source familiar with the call told NBC News. But Walz did not hear from Trump, a source close to the governor said. The crowd built slowly on the Mall in the humid afternoon hours, with rain threatening throughout. People strolled among the monuments, some wearing shirts displaying the American flag, others sporting Trump's signature 'Make America Great Again' hats. Massive video screens were erected to give the crowd a better view. Security was especially tight amid the combustible political environment. Sharpshooters took positions atop buildings along the parade route and people entering the Mall were screened for weapons. Two lonely protesters sat next to each other near the Washington Monument, clutching signs disparaging Trump. Neither gave their names, saying they feared reprisals. A man wearing a 'Dump Trump' hat who identified himself only as Mike said in an interview: 'This is a completely inappropriate use of our military. This is a $50 million boondoggle for his [Trump's] birthday. It's a complete waste of everybody's time and money and it's all to feed his ego.' A woman sitting next to him said the parade "reeks of North Korea," a dictatorship. Several in the crowd said their attendance shouldn't be viewed as support for Trump. 'Just my nation,' said Chris, who declined to give his last name. Tasha Etienne, who came from Maryland, said she was there to support her son, a soldier who was involved in some of the logistical planning. 'I'm here because he and several other men and women have sacrificed their lives with their families and all these things for the past 250 years to support this country,' Etienne said. 'That's why I'm here.' Referring to Trump, she added: 'His birthday just happens to be today.' Another attendee, Scott M., who declined to give his full last name, said he is a Democrat who supported former Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., for president in 2028. 'Not a fan [of Trump], but I also think that the presidency deserves respect, and it was going to be the 250th birthday of the Army whoever was president,' he said. 'There have been talks of having an event like this for a long time, so I just think it's good to respect and honor the Army, and not have to make it as political.'
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reed calls Israeli raid on Iran a ‘success' but warns of consequences
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — While warnings of Iran's missile retaliation against Israel surfaced, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed was holding a news conference to share his concerns as the ranking Democrat of the Armed Services Committee. 'Iranians now will begin to, as I said, retaliate,' he said when he learned of the incoming attack. US helps Israel shoot down barrage of Iranian missiles The missile strike comes after Israel carried out what it called 'Operation Rising Lion.' The raid took out a significant part of Iran's nuclear power. Reed called it 'effective.' 'This success will further push back the Iranians and their ability to respond,' he said. 'But, I've learned from 20-plus years of covering conflicts in the Middle East that you also have to think about the day after.' In the wake of the attack on Iran, President Donald Trump said he had wanted Israel to delay its operation, especially as the U.S. was expected to have nuclear talks with Iran this weekend. Reed said he agreed with the president, but also warned Iran can find other ways to strike back that could further pull the United States into conflicts in the Middle East. 'The drive for nuclear weapons, I think, by the Iranians, might ironically even be accelerated,' he explained. 'They will be, I'm sure, beginning to coordinate with their proxy forces all over the region to see if they can mount attacks against the targets that they feel are appropriate.' MORE: Israel attacks Iran, killing at least 2 military officers Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
