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Dems grill Pentagon nominee Tata over past inflammatory remarks, calling Obama ‘terrorist leader’
Retired Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata, President Trump’s pick for a top Pentagon post, came under fire at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday for past inflammatory remarks, including calling former President Barack Obama a «terrorist leader» and suggesting ex-CIA Director John Brennan deserved execution.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, called Tata’s record of political statements «disqualifying» and said his rhetoric was «not appropriate for a position of this significance.»
«I respect and appreciate your military service,» Reed said, «but your record of public statements and behavior toward individuals with whom you disagree politically is disqualifying.»
Tata, under questioning from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said he regretted the comments, calling them «out of character.»
HEGSETH ORDERS ‘HISTORIC’ REDUCTION OF GENERAL OFFICERS IN THE MILITARY
Anthony Tata, President Donald Trump’s nominee for undersecretary for personnel and readiness at the Department of Defense, disavowed his past remarks. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«I regret making those comments,» said Tata. «I have 45 years of solution-oriented leadership, that was out of character. I regret it. I can guarantee that I will be an apolitical leader.»
The retired Army general and former Trump administration official was nominated for a senior Pentagon role in 2020, but the Senate canceled his confirmation hearing at the last minute over similar concerns. Trump later appointed him to a civilian advisory role without Senate confirmation.
Tata’s post-military career includes stints as a school district official, North Carolina’s secretary of transportation, and a military thriller author.
After calling Obama a terrorist in 2018, Tata later wrote on X that he was «joking» and meant to criticize Obama for the Iran deal.
«I was joking! Of course it’s not a conspiracy theory. He did more to harm US vital interests and help Islamic countries than any president in history. The Iran deal alone is more than enough evidence of his drive to subvert US national interests to Islam and a globalist agenda.»
«Might be a time to pick your poison,» Tata had also replied on X to Brennan in a since-deleted post, accusing him of treason.
Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Darin Selnick, his deputy chief of staff who had also been performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. Selnick was one of three top aides Hegseth fired after a leak investigation and fights between the aides and his former chief of staff.
HEGSETH ORDERS SWEEPING ARMY OVERHAUL AND CONSOLIDATION AIMED AT COUNTERING CHINA AND GOLDEN DOME CAPABILITIES
Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Darin Selnick, his deputy chief of staff who had also been performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Senators also pressed Tata on more recent social media posts, including a tweet suggesting military officers were engaged in «mutinous discussions» and another calling for senior defense officials appointed by President Joe Biden to be fired. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., asked whether Tata valued loyalty to the Constitution or the administration’s political agenda more.
«We all raise our right hand to uphold the Constitution,» Tata responded, though he defended Trump’s vision of avoiding «unnecessary wars» and rebuilding the military. He pledged to uphold his oath even «if it means getting fired.»
If confirmed as undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, Tata would oversee military recruitment, education, healthcare and overall force readiness. He would also play a key role in implementing efforts backed by Trump allies to reduce the number of general officers and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the department.
Tata said he would push to improve military recruiting by expanding access to high school programs to build a «warrior ethos,» and streamline medical waivers for disqualified candidates. He also pledged to advise the chain of command on «apolitical and objective hirings,» and denied supporting any kind of «blatant purge.»
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., expressed concern about political pressure on military leadership, citing the recent ouster of Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. C.Q. Brown. Tata insisted his approach would be objective.
Sen. Jack Reed listens during a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill on March 3, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images)
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In contrast, the nomination of Katherine Sutton for a top Pentagon technology role drew little opposition. Sutton, currently chief technology advisor at U.S. Cyber Command, warned that China’s cyber threats demand urgent investment in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Sutton was pressed by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., on whether she believed Signal and Telemessage were permissible for work purposes at the DoD, after a slew of reports about the secretary’s use of the encrypted messaging applications.
«Depends on the level of classification,» said Sutton, adding there are a «wide variety» of apps in use at the DoD.
«OK, glad you got your talking point answer out,» said Slotkin. «It’s concerning to me that going into this job you can’t give a straight balls and strike answer.»
Pentagon,U.S. Defense & Military Politics,Senate,Pete Hegseth,Secretary of Defense,MILITARY
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Hunter Biden’s Ambien claim triggers deeper GOP probe into alleged cover-up of former president’s cognition
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Republicans on the House Oversight Committee are now digging into Hunter Biden’s implication that an Ambien sleeping pill was responsible for his father’s consequential debate performance one year ago, Fox News Digital has confirmed.
The revelation comes as House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., is leading an investigation into the alleged cover-up of President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and his administration’s potentially unauthorized autopen use for pardons and executive actions.
«He’s 81 years old. He’s tired as s–t,» Hunter Biden told Andrew Callaghan on his «Channel 5» podcast last weekend. «They give him Ambien to be able to sleep. He gets up on the stage, and he looks like he’s a deer in the headlights.»
But the former president’s son later clarified to ABC News that he did not mean Biden was taking Ambien directly before the debate, and he had intended to make a greater point about his father’s rigorous travel schedule in the weeks leading up to that disastrous debate night.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS FLOAT GRILLING JOE, JILL BIDEN AS FORMER AIDES STONEWALL COVER-UP PROBE
Former President Joe Biden, left, and his son, Hunter Biden, stand side-by-side. (Getty Images)
«Hunter Biden’s claim that ‘they gave him Ambien to be able to sleep’ raises serious questions,» a House Oversight Committee spokesperson told Fox News Digital. «The House Oversight Committee is looking into this as part of its investigation into the cover-up of President Biden’s cognitive decline and unauthorized executive actions by White House staff.»
Ambien, or zolpidem, is a prescription medication for insomnia. It is intended only for short-term use, according to GoodRx. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle and joint pain, and double or blurry vision.
JILL BIDEN ‘WORK HUSBAND’ PLEADS FIFTH AMENDMENT, DODGES HOUSE GOP COVER-UP PROBE QUESTIONS
The medication can also cause memory problems and grogginess during the day, and more serious and rare side effects can include hallucinations, «abnormal thinking and behavior» and «possible increased risk of dementia in older adults,» according to GoodRx.
Biden’s former chief of staff and a fixture of his re-election campaign, Ron Klain, is expected to participate in a transcribed interview on Thursday before the House Oversight Committee.
In a letter requesting his appearance, Comer quoted Klain as cutting Biden’s debate prep short last year «due to the president’s fatigue and lack of familiarity with the subject matter,» adding that Biden «didn’t really understand what his argument was on inflation,» citing a POLITICO report from earlier this year.
«If White House staff carried out a strategy lasting months or even years to hide the chief executive’s condition—or to perform his duties—Congress may need to consider a legislative response,» Comer said, arguing that the scope of Klain’s responsibilities in his personal and professional capacities «cannot go without investigation.»
Josh Dawsey of The Wall Street Journal, Tyler Pager of The New York Times, and Isaac Arnsdor of The Washington Post describe in their new book, «2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,» how during the June 2024 debate «Biden’s aides winced as the president started answering the first question.»
Anthony Bernal and Annie Tomasini follow President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Feb. 16, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
And backstage, as Biden stumbled over an answer that questionably ended with, «We finally beat Medicare,» Klain stood up and announced, «We’re f—ed,» according to the authors.
When reached for comment to confirm the book’s allegation, Klain told Fox News Digital, «I have nothing to add.»
A top former Biden administration aide invoked the Fifth Amendment during her closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee, Fox News Digital was told.
Annie Tomasini became the third Democratic ex-official to stonewall investigators looking into whether signs of Biden’s alleged mental decline were covered up by his inner circle.
The former White House deputy chief of staff was seen entering and exiting the committee room in under an hour, saying nothing to reporters either time.
Former President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
A source familiar with the discussions told Fox News Digital that she invoked the Fifth Amendment multiple times. Tomasini herself did not answer when Fox News Digital asked if she did so, and her lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.
«Today, the third witness in our investigation into the cover-up of President Biden’s cognitive decline and unauthorized executive actions pleaded the Fifth Amendment. There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy,» Comer told Fox News Digital.
Tomasini is the third former Biden administration official to come before committee investigators under subpoena, and the fifth to appear overall.
She was meant to appear Friday for a voluntary transcribed interview, but a committee aide previously told Fox News Digital that Tomasini’s lawyers had asked Comer to issue a subpoena specifically.
Both prior officials who appeared under subpoena—former White House physician Kevin O’Connor and Anthony Bernal, a longtime aide to former First Lady Jill Biden—also invoked the Fifth Amendment.
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Biden’s office declined to comment to Fox News Digital about the House GOP probe into his alleged Ambien use.
But a source familiar with the Biden team’s thinking regarding the ongoing House Oversight investigation had previously told Fox News Digital that Trump and congressional Republicans are simply seeking «retribution» through a «partisan, coordinated effort.»
«It’s an attempt to smear and embarrass,» the source said. «And their hope is for just one tiny inconsistency between witnesses to appear so that Trump’s DOJ [can] prosecute his political opponents and continue his campaign of revenge.»
Fox News’ Melissa Ruddy, Aishah Hasnie, Tyler Olson and Kelly Phares contributed to this report.
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Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday doubled down on Tehran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear program and said Iran is «fully prepared» for a renewed fight with Israel.
The Iranian president’s comments came just two days after Tehran’s foreign minister confirmed to Fox News that Iran will not give up its enrichment program, but continues to claim Tehran is not interested in developing a nuclear weapon.
«[US President Donald] Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position,» Pezeshkian said in an interview with Al Jazeera.
President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran remains «prepared» for renewed conflict with Israel. (Iranian Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images)
IRAN WILL NOT GIVE UP NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT, TOP OFFICIAL CONFIRMS IN EXCLUSIVE FOX NEWS INTERVIEW
«We believe in diplomacy, so any future negotiations must be according to a win-win logic, and we will not accept threats and dictates,» he added.
Pezeshkian also said Trump’s repeated claims that the U.S. «obliterated» Iran’s nuclear program is «just an illusion.»
«Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists and not in the facilities,» he said.
The U.S. strikes – which came just days after Israel targeted top military figures and nuclear scientists – are believed to have set back Iran’s nuclear program by up to two years.
But security experts have told Fox News Digital that Iran continues to possess significant military strike capabilities, and questions remain over whether Iran was able to successfully move any enriched uranium off site prior to Washington’s strikes.
Pezeshkian acknowledged the blow that Israel levied against its top officials, but said it «completely failed» to «eliminate» the hierarchy of Iran’s nuclear program.
He further warned that Iran is ready to take on Jerusalem should another conflict break out.
«We are fully prepared for any new Israeli military move, and our armed forces are ready to strike deep inside Israel again,» Pezeshkian said.
Fire and smoke rise into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot on June 15, 2025, in Tehran, Iran. (Stringer/Getty Images)
IRAN VOWS RETALIATION IF UN SECURITY COUNCIL ISSUES SNAPBACK SANCTIONS ON ANNIVERSARY OF NUCLEAR DEAL
Iran and Israel are still operating under a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. and Qatar following last month’s 12-Day War, but the Iranian president said he is not confident this truce will hold.
«We are not very optimistic about it,» Pezeshkian said.
«That is why we have prepared ourselves for any possible scenario and any potential response. Israel has harmed us, and we have also harmed it,» he added. «It has dealt us powerful blows, and we have struck it hard in its depths, but it is concealing its losses.»
Delegations from France, Germany and the U.K. (E3) are set to travel to Tehran on Friday to discuss nuclear negotiations.
The E3 visit will come just three days after officials from Russia and China, who are also signatories of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPAO), visited on Tuesday to discuss negotiations and how Iran can avoid sanctions, though details of the talks remain unknown.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stands with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, before a meeting on March 14, 2025, in Beijing. (Pool via Reuters)
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Iran began initiating international talks after the E3 last week threatened to employ snapback sanctions – which would see the entire 15-member U.N. Security Council enforce strict economic ramifications – should Iran not enter into a nuclear agreement by the end of August.
The timeframe is consistent with the time needed for the JCPOA signatories to recall snapback sanctions prior to the Oct. 18 expiration date when the economic tool can no longer be employed en masse per the 2015 terms of the agreement.
Correr un maratón por primera vez es un desafío que implica meses de entrenamiento, preparación física y mental, así como ajustes en la alimentación y el descanso. Elegir la ciudad adecuada para la carrera no solo puede hacer la experiencia más placentera, sino que también puede influir en el desempeño del corredor.
Factores como la altitud, el clima, la topografía y la cantidad de público alentando son elementos clave a considerar al momento de inscribirse en una competencia de esta magnitud.
De acuerdo con un enumerado de GQ, existen algunas ciudades ideales para debutar en un maratón (42K) o medio maratón (21K), tomando en cuenta la dificultad del recorrido, las condiciones climáticas y la experiencia general que ofrecen a los corredores.
Para quienes buscan minimizar sorpresas y sentirse cómodos en su primera carrera de larga distancia, una excelente opción es participar en un evento en la ciudad en donde se entrena habitualmente.
Conocer el terreno, las subidas y bajadas, la temperatura y hasta la sensación de humedad puede hacer una gran diferencia en la confianza y el rendimiento del corredor. Además, esto permite realizar entrenamientos previos en el mismo recorrido del maratón, lo que ayuda a preparar una estrategia adecuada.
Si bien algunas ciudades no cuentan con rutas completamente planas o con las condiciones ideales, la familiaridad con el entorno puede compensar estos factores.
Las Vegas, Nevada, ofrece una experiencia única para los corredores. Su maratón Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas, que incluye distancias de 5K, 10K y medio maratón, es famoso por su ambiente nocturno y festivo, con bandas en vivo a lo largo del recorrido y vistas del icónico Strip iluminado.
A pesar de su ubicación en el desierto, el clima de noviembre suele ser fresco y seco. El recorrido es mayormente plano, con pendientes mínimas, lo que lo hace accesible para corredores principiantes. Según Ready.Set.Marathon, su ambiente animado y topografía sencilla lo convierten en uno de los eventos más recomendados para quienes corren su primer medio maratón o maratón completo.
Además, Las Vegas se encuentra a menor altitud que muchas ciudades latinoamericanas, como Bogotá o Ciudad de México, lo que puede ser una ventaja fisiológica para quienes viven en altura.
Para la recuperación post-carrera, la ciudad ofrece una amplia oferta de spas y restaurantes, como los del Hotel Aria o el Fontainebleau, ideales para relajarse tras el esfuerzo.
(Imagen Ilustrativa Infobae)
El maratón de Vermont City, celebrado en Burlington, ha sido reconocido por Runner’s World y Marathon Handbook como uno de los más adecuados para corredores primerizos.
Su recorrido en forma de trébol facilita que los acompañantes vean a los corredores en varios puntos del trayecto sin desplazamientos largos, lo que refuerza el apoyo emocional durante la competencia. Además, el perfil del circuito es amable, con pendientes moderadas y una ligera bajada en los últimos kilómetros, lo que permite mantener un ritmo constante en los tramos finales, cuando la fatiga se hace más evidente.
La organización del evento, el entorno natural del lago Champlain y la participación comunitaria convierten a esta carrera en una opción atractiva tanto por su logística como por su experiencia humana.
El TCS New York City Marathon es uno de los eventos deportivos más emblemáticos del mundo, con decenas de miles de corredores cada año. Aunque recorrer los cinco distritos de Nueva York puede parecer intimidante, la carrera está diseñada para acoger tanto a élites como a amateurs.
A diferencia de otras majors, Nueva York ofrece distintos mecanismos de ingreso que no exigen marca clasificatoria, lo que lo hace accesible para debutantes a través de sorteos o programas benéficos. La carrera se celebra en noviembre, lo que garantiza temperaturas frías y estables —ideales para la resistencia— y su recorrido, si bien ondulado, no presenta grandes exigencias técnicas.
La presencia constante de público en casi todos los tramos del circuito convierte la experiencia en un impulso emocional que ayuda a muchos corredores a completar la prueba con entusiasmo.
Según Marathon Handbook, Nueva York ofrece una experiencia inolvidable, incluso para quienes la eligen como su primer maratón.
Para quienes priorizan el disfrute por sobre el rendimiento, el Walt Disney World Marathon en Orlando, Florida, es una excelente opción. El evento se realiza en enero y permite recorrer los principales parques del complejo Disney, como Animal Kingdom y Epcot, en un ambiente relajado y festivo.
El circuito es completamente plano, ideal para mantener un ritmo cómodo. Además, los organizadores otorgan hasta siete horas para completar el maratón, permitiendo a los participantes alternar caminata y trote sin presión. Esta característica lo convierte en uno de los eventos más amigables para principiantes, según guías especializadas como Marathon Handbook.
Es más, la presencia de corredores disfrazados, animación temática en los tramos y un enfoque no competitivo ayudan a transformar el evento en una celebración personal más que en una prueba de tiempo.
Mientras algunas opciones ofrecen recorridos sencillos y clima favorable, otras brindan una atmósfera inolvidable con el apoyo de multitudes. Desde la comodidad de correr en tu propia ciudad hasta el entorno vibrante de Las Vegas o la magia de Disney, elegir la carrera adecuada puede marcar la diferencia entre una meta alcanzada y una experiencia verdaderamente transformadora.
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