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Controversial defense program tied to DEI-laden contractor could be in crosshairs of DOGE: ‘Poster child’
FIRST ON FOX: One of the top defense contractors in the United States, which has a history of pushing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), is facing heat over a massive government contract that critics say should be a prime target for Elon Musk’s DOGE efforts.
The Air Force’s Sentinel program, a massive intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) project serving as the successor to the Minuteman III program ensuring the future viability of the land-based leg of America’s nuclear triad, has been mired in controversy and slowdowns as Northrop Grumman was awarded the development contract and the endeavor has gone from a $96 billion program to at least $141 billion in recent years.
The Pentagon ordered Northrop Grumman to pause development earlier this year due to «evolving launch facility requirements», Defense One reported. Air & Space Forces Magazine reported last year that the intercontinental ballistic missile program survived a Pentagon review, but it was found that the cost overrun jumped from 37% to 81%.
Northrop Grumman, which had not previously designed an ICBM, was awarded a $13 billion contract in September 2020 for full-scale development of the program to replace the Minuteman III, and the Pentagon has estimated that the total cost of developing its new ICBM program could cost up to $264 billion over the next few decades, Bloomberg reported.
BILL MAHER CALLS OUT ELON MUSK, DOGE FOR NOT TAKING ‘CHAINSAW’ TO DEFENSE SPENDING
Northrop Grumman has attempted to distance itself from DEI after promoting it for years. (Getty)
The awarding of the contract was controversial in its own right, after Boeing dropped out of the bidding, claiming that the process was rigged against it, Responsible Statecraft reported.
«The massive expansion of costs for Northrop Grumman’s Minuteman III program is the case example for why poorly-scoped, blank check programs are a bad idea,» a senior Republican Congressional official who works on defense policy told Fox News Digital.
«This is bad for national security, bad for taxpayers, and Republicans will fix this mess that Biden’s team created,» the official added.
Questions have also been raised by some in recent years about whether the Sentinel program is even necessary, including at a Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group press conference last year, when former Democratic Congressman John Tierney said that Sentinel «does not add to our security» and could «actually make us less safe.»
DOGE INITIAL FINDINGS ON DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DEI SPENDING COULD SAVE $80M, AGENCY SAYS
The U.S. flag flies near the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber «Spirit of Georgia» at the Northrop Grumman Corp. facility at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. (Getty)
«When will the blank checks to cover spiraling costs end?» Tierney said. «The Sentinel ICBM program is just the latest in a long list of Pentagon programs that are over budget, behind schedule and of questionable utility.»
Tierney added that he believes the «only value» of recent ICBM development is «to the defense contractors who line their fat pockets with large cost overruns at the expense of our taxpayers.»
«It has got to stop,» he said.
An Air Force spokesperson told Fox News Digital that it is taking «deliberate» steps to ensure that the Sentinel program is running as cost-efficiently as possible while enhancing oversight at the same time. «We continue to advance the engineering design and maturity of the program with Northrop Grumman, working closely with the company to drive down costs and improve schedule performance,» the spokesperson added.
The Air Force also pointed to a previous comment from Gen. David Allvin, Air Force chief of staff, during a symposium in March that stressed the importance of the Sentinel program.
«We own two-thirds of the triad and three-fourths of the nuclear command and control of communications,» Allvin said. «We own the nuclear deterrence. So more Air Force means more nuclear deterrence…We have to have the most reliable, the most safe, the most effective nuclear deterrent. That means sentinel, yes…I believe we need more nuclear deterrence for our nation. It’s a solemn responsibility. It’s not an option.»
Amid the cost overruns and headaches from the ICBM program, Northrop Grumman adopted and promoted an agenda focused on DEI in recent years and was one of several defense contractors that have attempted to scrub their websites of DEI in the wake of the Trump administration’s pledge to rid the government of the ideology.
Northrop Grumman’s 2023 annual report mentions DEI as «vital to our culture and our company’s success. Our ability to leverage the power of our diverse workforce enhances employee engagement and enables us to innovate, perform and deliver on quality, which results in value for our shareholders, customers, and employees.»
The report also touted its minority hiring practices and stated that 25% of its employees are female, 37% people of color, 18% veterans and 8% people with disabilities.
Elon Musk’s Tesla showroom locations have faced repeated protests over his role in DOGE. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
«Diversity Has a Home at Northrop Grumman,» a YouTube video from ClearanceJobs says in a post that features Northrop Grumman employees discussing the diversity of the company.
«Northrop’s Sentinel Program is a DOGE poster child,» a person close to the Trump administration told Fox News Digital. «Not only did they practice DEI, the program is ineffective, delayed, and wasting billions of taxpayer money. Musk would have a field day.»
DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts have affected essentially every area of government, including the Defense Department, which recently announced that over $580 million worth of contracts have been canceled as Democrats continue to blast the efforts and make the case that DOGE cuts are detrimental to the country.
«I’ve seen it with my own eyes, billions of dollars spent on pricey consulting firms, grants and NGO‘s—the self-serving bureaucrats in Washington DC have found a million different ways to rip-off the American taxpayer,» special advisor to the United States Agency for Global Media Kari Lake told Fox News Digital.
«I’m working very closely with DOGE at the agency President Trump asked me to oversee. Our DOGE team is not political, they are practical. They know that it’s not practical for the U.S. government to continue spending the way it has been. Our country won’t survive unless we cut back right now, and the hard-working men and women across this country support that.»
Kari Lake, former U.S. Republican Senate candidate for Arizona, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference Argentina in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Anita Pouchard Serra/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Northrop Grumman touted recent progress in the program.
«We continue to make substantial progress on the Sentinel Weapon System,» the spokesperson said. «On March 6, we completed the missile’s stage one static fire test, the latest of many test events that validate the rocket motor’s performance and digital design. We continue to mature the design and reduce risk as we prepare for production and deployment of this essential national security capability.»
Regarding DEI, the spokesperson said, «We have reviewed our policies and processes and continue to take the steps necessary to ensure compliance with the orders for the work entrusted to us. Northrop Grumman is committed to our customers’ missions, delivering technologies they need to deter threats, prevail in conflicts, and strengthen national security. Underpinned by our values, we hire, promote, and pay based on merit and performance resulting in the best team to deliver for our customers.»
Politics,U.S. Defense & Military Politics,DOGE
La vida de Ozzy Osbourne, uno de los íconos más controvertidos y carismáticos de la música, llegará al cine con una producción respaldada por Sony Pictures. El proyecto, en desarrollo desde hace seis años, avanzó de forma decisiva en los últimos meses. El rodaje contará con un actor que, según los productores, posee un talento sobresaliente.
La película busca retratar los momentos más intensos de la carrera y vida personal del artista británico, conocido como el “Príncipe de las Tinieblas”. El estreno aún no tiene fecha confirmada, pero la expectativa crece entre los fanáticos del género y la industria cinematográfica.
La biografía cinematográfica de Osbourne se suma a la tendencia de llevar a la pantalla la vida de figuras legendarias de la música. El éxito de películas como las dedicadas a Freddie Mercury, Elton John o Ray Charles impulsó a los estudios a buscar nuevas historias.
Sony Pictures inició este proyecto en 2021, con la colaboración de la familia Osbourne y el guionista Lee Hall, responsable del libreto de Rocketman. La noticia sobre el avance de la producción fue confirmada en una reciente entrevista.
Jack Osbourne, hijo del cantante, compartió detalles sobre el estado del filme durante su participación en el programa Influenced, conducido por Billy Morrison. “Tenemos a nuestro elegido, no puedo decir más, pero es un actor fenomenal. Ya tenemos director y estamos reescribiendo el guion”, afirmó Jack Osbourne. La declaración confirmó que la película entró en una etapa clave de desarrollo.
De acuerdo con las declaraciones de Jack Osbourne recodigas por American Song Writer, el equipo creativo ya cuenta con director, actor principal y guionista. El joven productor recalcó que la preproducción llevó varios años debido al deseo de plasmar fielmente la vida y legado de Ozzy.
“Estamos a toda máquina en la siguiente fase de desarrollo. Es una película interpretada que venimos desarrollando con Sony desde hace como seis años”, indicó.
El guion, a cargo de Lee Hall, promete una narrativa intensa y honesta, evitando idealizaciones o simplificaciones. Hall fue responsable de uno de los biopics musicales más exitosos de la última década, lo que genera expectativas sobre la profundidad que tendrá el retrato de Osbourne.
Durante los años de preproducción, Ozzy Osbourne mostró cierto escepticismo respecto al avance del proyecto, según relató su hijo. En diversas ocasiones, el cantante manifestó cansancio ante las actualizaciones sobre reuniones y negociaciones. “Solo dime cuándo se estrena para que pueda verla”, respondía Osbourne a los informes de progreso. La película, sin embargo, siguió adelante pese a las dudas iniciales.
Ozzy falleció en julio, antes de que pudiera ver el resultado final de la obra que narra su vida. El músico expresó en vida su deseo de asistir al estreno, aunque reconocía el largo trabajo que implica una producción de esta magnitud. “Para cuando terminen esta película, ya estaré muerto. Quiero estar vivo para poder verla”, expresó en una oportunidad, según indicó American Song Writer.
A pesar de su ausencia, los productores y la familia aseguraron que el filme respetará la esencia del artista. La dirección aspira a que la película no solo funcione como homenaje, sino que también logre conectar con nuevas generaciones. La promesa es contar la historia de Ozzy Osbourne con una mirada auténtica y sin filtros.
Según especialistas de la industria, el desafío radica en equilibrar la fidelidad biográfica con el atractivo narrativo. El caso de Osbourne resulta especialmente complejo, debido a los excesos y polémicas que marcaron su carrera. La colaboración familiar y el trabajo de un guionista experimentado ofrecen garantías sobre el resultado final.
La película buscará retratar no solo los éxitos musicales del artista, sino también los desafíos personales que enfrentó a lo largo de su vida. El objetivo central será mostrar al ser humano detrás de la figura mediática, sin omitir sus contradicciones ni sus momentos de vulnerabilidad.
El legado de Ozzy Osbourne perdura a través de su música y de la influencia que ejerció sobre generaciones de artistas. La biopic en proceso pretende consolidar ese impacto y acercar su historia a un público amplio. La producción de Sony Pictures, junto a la familia Osbourne, trabaja para asegurar que la memoria del “Príncipe de las Tinieblas” permanezca vigente.
Arts / Culture / Entertainment,North America,Obituaries,Los Angeles
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Tiffany Burress, the wife of former New York Giants star Plaxico Burress, announced a Republican bid Tuesday for a North Jersey congressional seat long held by Democrats.
Tiffany Burress announced her run Tuesday, contrasting her work in the private sector to Pou’s public office resume. Her husband memorably caught Super Bowl XLII’s game-winning touchdown to snuff out the New England Patriots’ 2008 undefeated season and finished his Giants career with 4,086 receiving yards.
Tiffany Burress, a Pittsburgh native, serves on the Workers’ Comp committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association, has been recognized as one of Bergen County’s «top attorneys,» and was a collegiate athlete at Penn State University in Centre County, Pa.
In her announcement, she criticized Pou – who won the seat of Bill Pascrell Jr. in 2024 after the Democrat died in office at 87 – just months before the election – for the series of «doors» that have «been opened» for her.
FORMER OBAMA STAFFER, EX-CONGRESSMAN AMONG CANDIDATES IN CROWDED DEMOCRAT PRIMARY FOR MIKIE SHERRILL’S SEAT
Tiffany Burress, left, and her husband, NFL WR Plaxico Burress, right, are picture. (Giovanni Rufino/Getty Images)
«Congresswoman Nellie Pou has a charmed life. Fifty years on the government dime, never had a private sector job: In 1997, doors started opening. The party bosses gave Nellie two jobs, a city administrator and a state assembly seat,» Burress said, before pivoting to comparing Pou’s voting record to that of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
Burress, running as a Republican, said that instead of having doors opened for her, she «busted through them,» and that, unlike Democrats, is willing to «bust-out doors» to tell the GOP they’re wrong when they are.
«Let’s try something different,» Burress, of Totowa, said.
FORMER HOUSE DEMOCRAT TARGETS TRUMP IN BID FOR POLITICAL COMEBACK
Plaxico Burress, 17, catches the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl in 2008. (Michael Appleton/Getty Images)
Burress’ race could potentially be one of the more interesting contests in the Garden State, regardless of who her wide-receiver husband is.
The seat, which includes the MetLife/Giants Stadium complex in East Rutherford, has not elected a Republican since Rep. Harold Hollenbeck’s reelection in 1981.
Since then, the seat has been held by a who’s who of prominent North Jersey Democrats, including Robert «The Torch» Torricelli from 1983 to 1997 and Bill Pascrell from 2013 until his death in August 2024.
DEM FREE-FOR-ALL ENGULFS NJ AS 13 CONTENDERS SCRAMBLE FOR SHERRILL’S HOUSE SEAT AHEAD OF CRITICAL 2026 FIGHT
The hourglass-shaped district runs from Pompton Lakes along the northern end of Interstate 287 diagonally following the similarly-shaped confines of Passaic County – including the heavily-Democratic and heavily-minority city of Paterson, and into diverse southern Bergen County suburbs of New York City like Moonachie, Carlstadt and wealthy Edgewater.
While expected to win handily over GOP challenger Billy Prempeh in 2024, Pou only eked out a four-point win as President Donald Trump flipped the district – and Passaic County – entirely.
At the time, the surprise was chalked up to Passaic’s heavily Hispanic and Jewish population. And, while Paterson swung more than 20 points in his direction, according to the New Jersey Globe, Trump and Republicans may have an uphill battle there with its Muslim population outraged at the administration.
LONE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FINDS HIS EDGE AS A DOZEN DEMOCRATS CLASH IN RACE TO REPLACE MIKIE SHERRILL
Rep. Nellie Pou, D-N.J., speaks in Washington. (Nathan Posner/Getty Images)
That dynamic most recently made news after DNI Tulsi Gabbard warned at AmericaFest of alleged efforts in Paterson to «implement Islamic principles» which drew local ire.
In 2025’s gubernatorial contests, the district again sided with the top-of-the-ticket Democrat, Gov-elect Mikie Sherrill.
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While Fox News Digital reached out to Pou’s office and an individual listed on her FEC filings for comment, her campaign page touted her working-class roots in Paterson and neighboring Haledon.
«Throughout her career, Nellie has been committed to improving the lives of New Jerseyans. From fighting for better schools for our kids to more affordable health care, to criminal justice reform – Nellie has been at the forefront of some of New Jersey’s and America’s toughest fights,» a statement on her campaign page read.
republicans,new york giants,new jersey,donald trump,economy,midterm elections
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G7 threatens Iran with new sanctions over nationwide protest crackdown killing thousands
Report: over 2,500 have been killed in Iranian protests
Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst joins ‘America Reports’ from Tel Aviv with reports that over 2,500 have been killed amid Iran’s ongoing protests as President Donald Trump threatens potential action if they continue to escalate.
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Group of Seven (G7) nations warned Iran on Wednesday that they are prepared to impose additional sanctions on the country if the regime continues with its violent crackdown on protests.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S., joined by the European Union’s high representative, expressed «grave concern» over the reports of mass casualties, widespread injuries and alleged human rights abuses as a result of the spiraling unrest.
IRANIAN DISSIDENT UNLOADS ON AMERICAN LEFT’S SILENCE ON DEADLY PROTESTS
Group of Seven (G7) nations warned Iran on Wednesday that they are prepared to impose additional sanctions on the country. (Government of Canada / Pool /Anadolu via Getty Images)
The development comes as Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) announced the deaths of 2,403 protesters. Other reports say the death toll is over 3,000, with the real number likely to be higher.
«We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are gravely concerned by the developments surrounding the ongoing protests in Iran,» the statement said.
«We strongly oppose the intensification of the Iranian authorities’ brutal repression of the Iranian people, who have been bravely voicing legitimate aspirations for a better life, dignity and freedom, since the end of December 2025,» it read.
The G7 also stated it was «deeply alarmed at reports of deaths and injuries» and condemned what it described as the «deliberate use of violence and the killing of protesters, arbitrary detention, and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators.»
IRAN PUSHES FOR FAST TRIALS AND EXECUTIONS OF SUSPECTS DETAINED IN PROTESTS DESPITE TRUMP’S WARNING: REPORT
Tear gas is fired at protesters during an anti-government protest, Jan. 8, in Tehran, Iran. (UGC via AP)
The protests, which began Dec. 28, came amid deepening economic distress and the collapse of the Iranian rial. They quickly spread nationwide and evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations.
The G7 ministers also urged Iranian authorities to show restraint and end the use of force against civilians, calling on Tehran to respect its international obligations and protect the rights to «freedom of expression, to seek, receive and impart information, and the freedom of association and peaceful assembly, without fear of reprisal.»
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While the joint statement did not list specific new sanctions, it made clear that additional action remains on the table, signaling unity among leading Western powers.
«Iran’s continued crackdown in violation of international human rights obligations could prompt further restrictive measures from the G7,» the ministers said.
iran,middle east,ali khamenei,world protests,the european union,united kingdom,human rights,sanctions,mass murder
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