Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces 17th vessel attack killing 3 people one day after UN called for halt to strikes, condemned attacks as extrajudicial killings violating international law.
Trump orders Pentagon to plan Nigeria military action and threatens aid cutoff despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s rejection of Christian persecution claims.
Pentagon clears Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine after stockpile assessment shows no impact on U.S. military readiness, leaving decision entirely to Trump.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemns Trump boat strikes killing 61 people as “unacceptable” extrajudicial killings; White House responds with “Escalator-gate” joke.
Rubio calls Miami Herald and Wall Street Journal reports on imminent Venezuela attack “fake story” as USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group deploys to Caribbean.
Senate Armed Services leaders Wicker and Reed publicly release letters demanding Pentagon provide legal justification for Caribbean boat strikes that killed at least 61 people after documents not provided.
Trump tells reporters aboard Air Force One “you’ll find out very soon” when asked for details on resuming nuclear weapons testing after 33-year pause.
Pentagon memo from Oct. 8 allows commanders to override separation boards that vote to keep trans troops, ending boards’ longstanding independence.
Trump officials Miller, Rubio, Noem occupy military housing reserved for commanders, citing security concerns, straining limited supply and military relations.
Classified State Department Inspector General report finds many hundreds of potential Israeli human rights violations in Gaza would take multiple years to review under Leahy Laws.
House Democrats leave briefing on Trump’s drug boat strikes unsatisfied after Pentagon lawyers fail to appear to explain legal basis for 61 deaths.
Pentagon orders 50 states to create quick reaction forces totaling 23,500 National Guard troops trained in riot control, operational by January 2026.
Hegseth directs 48 military lawyers and four paralegals to DOJ for immigration prosecutions, expanding military’s role in deportation operations through fall 2026.
Trump withdraws 1,400 US troops from Romania’s NATO air base without consulting Congress, drawing rebuke from Republican Armed Services chairs who say move sends “wrong signal” to Putin during Ukraine war.
Federal trial reveals Oregon National Guard troops deployed to Portland ICE facility for 12 hours on Oct 4 despite Judge Immergut’s restraining order issued during their shift, with judge warning of possible contempt.
Supreme Court effectively denies Trump emergency request to deploy National Guard to Illinois, ordering supplemental briefs with Nov. 10 deadline that deflates urgency claims and keeps troops blocked.
Israel kills 104 Palestinians in 12-hour Gaza airstrikes after soldier death, as Trump insists ceasefire holds and calls strikes justified retaliation against Hamas.
Colorado sues Trump over moving Space Command to Alabama in retaliation for state’s mail-in voting system, which Trump called “automatically crooked elections” and “a big factor” in his decision.
Hegseth announces 4 killed in latest Eastern Pacific strike on alleged drug boat, the 14th such attack since Sept 2, as Pentagon briefs only Republican senators on campaign.
Trump authorizes South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarine in Philadelphia as Seoul commits $350 billion investment in exchange for tariff cuts.
Trump orders Defense Department to resume nuclear weapons testing for first time since 1992, citing Russia and China programs hours before meeting Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Pentagon redirecting $8 billion in research funds to pay troops through October, with Republican senators questioning legal authority and Nov. 15 paycheck deadline looming.
US strikes kill 14 people on four alleged drug boats in Pacific Ocean 400 miles from Acapulco, with international law experts calling the campaign “summarily executing” suspects without due process.
Trump threatens to send “more than the National Guard” to U.S. cities while speaking to troops in Japan, after deploying Guard to Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago, Memphis and Portland this year.
DOD memo signed day before shutdown directs supervisors to fire civilian employees “with speed and conviction,” giving workers seven days to respond to termination notices.
Federal judge orders Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino to appear in court daily for seven days and wear a bodycam after he personally threw tear gas at crowds without warning.
White House pushed Navy to use live 2,000-pound bombs at Trump’s 250th anniversary event because Trump “needed to see explosions” rather than a splash.
DHS removes ICE field office chiefs in five major cities, replacing them with Border Patrol officials to meet Stephen Miller’s demand for 1 million deportations per year.
Venezuela claims it foiled CIA plot to attack US Navy destroyer docked in Trinidad and blame Venezuela, arrested 4 suspects during expanding American military presence.
U.S. warship docks in Trinidad as aircraft carrier approaches Venezuela, with Sen. Graham saying land strikes are a “real possibility” and Trump planning congressional briefing on military operations.
Maduro accuses U.S. of “fabricating a war” against Venezuela as aircraft carrier approaches Caribbean, begins proceedings to revoke opposition leader’s citizenship for supporting deployment.
Trump mega-donor Timothy Mellon gives $130 million to pay troops during shutdown, covering roughly $100 per service member in donation that may violate federal spending law.
Trump welcomes Qatar’s leaders aboard Air Force One to discuss Gaza peacekeeping, claims he’s accomplished “peace in the Middle East” while Rubio seeks UN authorization for the force.
Trump oversees Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire signing after threatening to halt trade talks if conflict continued, opening five-day Asia tour focused on critical minerals deals.
Air Force acting JAG steps down eight months after Hegseth fired predecessor as ‘roadblock,’ leaving no Senate-confirmed top lawyer as JAGs pulled to immigration courts.
Federal appeals court temporarily blocks Trump deployment of 200 National Guard troops to Portland until Tuesday while broader panel of judges decides whether to rehear case.
Pentagon awards drone company its largest-ever contract after Trump Jr. took $4 million stake and Trump signed executive order accelerating procurement.
Hegseth restores Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment seven months after dismantling legendary think tank but strips its direct access to defense secretary.
Coast Guard security guards shoot driver attempting to ram Alameda base gate where more than 100 federal agents had deployed hours after injuring two protesters with pepper spray and flash bangs.
Hegseth deploys USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to Latin America, where U.S. forces have killed at least 43 people in 10 strikes on suspected drug vessels since September.
Pentagon to use $130 million from anonymous Trump friend for military pay during shutdown despite experts saying private donations cannot legally offset appropriations lapses.
Justice Department told a federal judge Thursday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has authority to send migrants designated for deportation to any U.S. military base worldwide, defending Guantanamo detentions now paused for a hurricane.
Trump said he won’t seek congressional authorization to expand drug cartel strikes from boats to land targets, telling reporters “we’re just gonna kill people” despite Colombia calling current strikes violations of international law.
Two B-1 bombers flew over Caribbean near Venezuela on Thursday in second show of force in a week, sources say, though Trump denied the mission when asked by reporters later that day.
Man sues District and Ohio National Guard after DC Police detained and handcuffed him for playing Star Wars “Imperial March” behind Guard members during peaceful September protest.
Trump calls off planned federal deployment to SF 12 days before California’s redistricting vote, after Mayor Lurie requested a stand down and Governor Newsom called the threat voter suppression.
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley speaks for 22 hours and 39 minutes on Senate floor protesting Trump’s National Guard deployment to Portland and indictments of political opponents, calling it “biggest threat to republic since Civil War.”
Trump deploys more than 100 federal agents including ICE to San Francisco despite city’s low violent crime ranking, escalating weeks of threats to invoke Insurrection Act.
Pentagon replaces journalists from AP, New York Times, and Washington Post with pro-Trump outlets like Mike Lindell’s streaming channel after new policy requiring Pentagon-approved information.
US military kills 5 in first Pacific strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats, expanding campaign to at least 37 deaths total while using dubious legal theory to justify extrajudicial killings.
