Trump Remakes the US Military
Robert G. Salesses takes control of the Pentagon as President Donald Trump’s DefSec nominee Pete Hegseth continues through confirmation hearings in the US Senate.
Arctic Blast Forces Inauguration Indoors
Frigid weather is moving today’s presidential inauguration indoors to the US Capitol rotunda. The swearing-in ceremony is slated to start at noon.
NSC Staffers’ Politics Questioned
Trump administration officials have begun questioning career civil servants who work on the White House National Security Council about who they voted for in the 2024 election, their political contributions, and about their social media posts. Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, indicated his intention to ensure the council is staffed with those who support Trump’s agenda.
Navy Shipbuilding Plan: 85 New Ships @ $1 Trillion
A Congressional Budget Office analysis estimates that the US Navy’s total shipbuilding costs would average about $40 billion per year (in 2024 dollars) through 2054. The service wants to expand its fleet of battle force ships to face growing global threats.
Can US Secure Its Telecom Hardware?
Deliberations within the federal government are ongoing on how to secure small communications providers from an ongoing Chinese espionage intrusion by a hacking unit tied to Beijing that likely had unfettered access to key elements of America’s telecommunications backbone for around two years.
Fighter Squadron, F-16s Move to Maryland
Maryland’s Air National Guard will get a fighter squadron of F-16s from Washington, DC. The US Air Force said it will transfer the 121st Fighter Squadron from the DC Air National Guard to Maryland.
DoD End-of-Year Contracts Dec. 23-27
The US Department of Defense awarded these contracts in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, from December 23-December 27, 2024.
Morning Coffee Is Off the Burner
Morning Coffee, a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the NAS Patuxent River economic community, is off the burner for a winter break. We’ll be back Monday, January 6, 2025.
Bald Eagle Could Officially Become America’s National Bird
The bald eagle has been a symbol of the United States for centuries, but it’s not officially America’s national bird. But it most likely will be soon.
Bill to Fund Key Bridge Founders
Maryland lawmakers were able to insert the Baltimore BUILD Bridge Relief Act, calling for 100% federal funding to replace the Key Bridge, into the 1,500-page stopgap funding bill. Republicans are threatening to derail the funding bill because of add-ons such as more than $100 billion in emergency aid for disaster relief, which includes the Key Bridge replacement.
