The Justice Department defended Austin’s decision to end the plea deals, filing an unusual appeal with the D.C. Circuit on Jan. 7, seeking to block the military courts from continuing with further proceedings under the plea deals. After President Donald Trump was inaugurated, DOJ continued to press the appeal.

The memo directs the military services to create active duty formations by September, built for the sole purpose of scaling the use of drones across DOD.

Israel and Ukraine have used drones against their adversaries in audacious ways that have helped the Pentagon see the need for new technology.

Pentagon removes barriers for military drone deployment, redefining small unmanned aircraft as consumables while mandating drone combat simulations across military branches

The Pentagon has pulled back the White House’s nominee to lead U.S. 7th fleet, officials confirmed to USNI News on Friday. Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, current head of the chief of naval operation’s air warfare directorate (OPNAV N98),

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who announced he wouldn’t seek reelection following his decision to vote down President Donald Trump ’s sweeping domestic policy bill earlier this month, on Wednesday slammed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as “out of his depth” in his role at the Pentagon.

"No one in their right mind would buy a car without knowing the final price. Why does the government do this with your money?” Rep. John Garamendi said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the removal of any policies that slow down the development and deployment of drones, according to a memo reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.