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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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Canadá evaluó su posible participación militar en la guerra de Irán: “Nunca se puede descartar categóricamente”
El primer ministro de Canadá, Mark Carney, afirmó que no podría descartar la participación militar de su país en la creciente guerra en Medio Oriente.
En una visita a Australia, marcada por la expansión del conflicto tras el ataque estadounidense-israelí que abatió al líder supremo iraní, Ali Khamenei, Carney fue consultado en Canberra junto al primer ministro local, Anthony Albanese, sobre la posibilidad de una intervención canadiense.
“Nunca se puede descartar categóricamente la participación”, declaró Carney, aunque calificó la cuestión de “hipotética”. En ese sentido, afirmó que Canadá apoyará a sus aliados e hizo hincapié en que “siempre defenderá a los canadienses” en primer lugar.
El líder del Partido Liberal canadiense calificó previamente los ataques contra Irán como “incompatibles con el derecho internacional”, pero expresó su respaldo a los esfuerzos para impedir que el régimen iraní obtenga armas nucleares, posición que adoptó “con pesar” al considerarla un reflejo del fracaso del orden internacional.
Carney reiteró su llamado a la “desescalada” del conflicto. Su viaje por Asia y el Pacífico busca reducir la dependencia de Estados Unidos y fortalecer lazos con otros países de “potencia media”. En el Parlamento australiano, instó a estas naciones a cooperar para influir en las nuevas reglas del sistema internacional, advirtiendo que “las grandes potencias pueden obligar, pero la coacción tiene costos”.
El primer ministro anunció la unión de Canadá y Australia como “colaboradores estratégicos” para aprovechar sus recursos minerales de tierras raras y detalló acuerdos en defensa e inteligencia artificial. “Sabemos que debemos trabajar con otros que comparten nuestros valores para construir capacidades sólidas”, dijo, alertando sobre el riesgo de quedar “atrapados entre los hiperescaladores y los hegemones”.
El líder canadiense expresó el sábado pasado el respaldo de Canadá a los ataques lanzados por Estados Unidos e Israel contra el régimen ayatollah, al que calificó como “principal fuente de inestabilidad y terrorismo en todo Medio Oriente”.
En primer lugar, reafirmó, el mismo día que estalló el conflicto, “el derecho de Israel a defenderse y a garantizar la seguridad de su población”. “Canadá respalda la actuación de Estados Unidos para impedir que Irán obtenga un arma nuclear y para evitar que su régimen siga amenazando la paz y la seguridad internacionales”, sostuvo en un comunicado.
Carney subrayó que la posición de Canadá “sigue siendo clara”: “La República Islámica de Irán es la principal fuente de inestabilidad y terrorismo en todo Medio Oriente, tiene uno de los peores historiales de derechos humanos del mundo y nunca debe permitírsele obtener o desarrollar armas nucleares”.
Carney destacó que, pese a los intentos diplomáticos, Irán “no desmanteló por completo su programa nuclear, no ha detenido todas las actividades de enriquecimiento ni ha puesto fin a su apoyo a grupos terroristas regionales que actúan como fuerzas subsidiarias”.
Finalmente, el primer ministro manifestó su solidaridad con el pueblo iraní “en su larga y valiente lucha contra el régimen opresivo de Irán”.
Ese mismo día, el presidente de Francia, Emmanuel Macron, advirtió que la escalada en Medio Oriente es “peligrosa para todos”. En un mensaje publicado en X, el mandatario señaló que el “desencadenamiento de la guerra entre Estados Unidos, Israel e Irán tiene graves consecuencias para la paz y la seguridad internacional”.
“La escalada actual es peligrosa para todos. Debe cesar. El régimen iraní debe comprender que ya no le queda otra opción que entablar negociaciones de buena fe para poner fin a su programa nuclear y balístico, así como a sus acciones de desestabilización regional”, sostuvo Macron.
(Con información de AFP)
Domestic,Politics,North America,Government / Politics
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American stealth bombers are expected to land at U.K. military bases within days to join the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran, according to reports.
Citing unnamed senior Western officials, The Telegraph reported Wednesday that air bases at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire are being readied for the arrival of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers — the $2 billion strategic bomber is also known as the world’s most expensive aircraft.
The bombers are understood to be landing at the U.K. bases «in a matter of days» as Washington intensifies operations in the region, the outlet reported.
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the U.S. military used stealth B-2 bombers to strike Iranian ballistic missile facilities Feb. 28 as part of the launch of Operation Epic Fury.
Diego Garcia is a strategic Indian Ocean base hosting 2,500 US military personnel. (Reuters)
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers, which were equipped with 2,000-pound bombs, struck Iranian «hardened» ballistic missile sites.
The U.S. was cleared to use British bases for limited strikes on Iran’s missile capabilities on Feb. 29 after Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed off on the plan, and while U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey stated Britain had «stepped up alongside the Americans.»
Starmer said the authorization was granted to protect U.K. and U.S. allies as the conflict escalated. He had previously said he would not allow American forces to use U.K. bases for offensive operations in the region.
Tensions have since been heightened in the U.K. by security incidents in Cyprus. RAF Akrotiri, a key British military base on the island, was struck by a suspected drone on March 2, causing minor damage.
IRAN’S DRONE SWARM ATTACKS UNLEASH ‘EXPONENTIAL COSTS’ ON US, PROLONGING WAR: ‘ASYMMETRIC CAPABILITY’
Several B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers are seen on a runway at the Whiteman Air Force Base. (Whiteman Air Force Base)
The unmanned aircraft was reported to resemble an Iranian-made Shahed drone, similar to models used by Russia in Ukraine and by Tehran’s regional proxies.
The Ministry of Defense said force-protection measures were at the «highest level» and that the base had taken steps to defend personnel. About 4,000 service members and their families are based at RAF Akrotiri.
The U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Cyprus to Level 3, urging Americans to reconsider travel because of the threat of armed conflict and limited consular assistance in parts of the country.
Non-emergency embassy staff and family members were authorized to leave. Officials said the advisory change reflected adjustments in embassy operations rather than a direct change in underlying risk.
EX-CENTCOM CHIEF DETAILS ‘EXQUISITE INTELLIGENCE’ BEHIND IRAN STRIKES, SAYS NEXT STEPS HINGE ON ‘MISSILE MATH’
President Donald Trump blasted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer March 3, 2026, saying «this is not Winston Churchill we are dealing with,» amid a lack of support for the United States’ and Israel’s joint military operation against Iran. (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images ; PA Images via Getty Images ; Jonathan Brady/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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Trump had called Britain «uncooperative» and slammed Starmer as «not Winston Churchill» after Starmer initially rebuffed a U.S. request to use U.K. bases to attack Iran, according to The Associated Press.
Trump has also condemned Britain’s agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands, home to the Diego Garcia base, to Mauritius.
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Unearthed video shows Dem candidate supporting ‘reallocation’ of police funding to social service programs
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A Democrat running for Congress in one of the most competitive seats in the country once said she would combat systematic racism by redirecting law enforcement funding when asked if she would «defund the police» in 2020.
«I support the reallocation of funding to programs that would allow people to live their best lives,» JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine veteran, told the Arizona Clean Elections Commission and Arizona Capitol Times at a town hall event.
«Such as social service programs. Such as housing, public education, healthcare, ensuring that we are addressing economic stability and environmental safety.»
JoAnna Mendoza, a candidate for Congress, is running in one of the country’s most competitive races in 2026. (Joanna Mendoza for Congress/YouTube screenshot)
Mendoza, who is running to represent Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, denied ever supporting defunding the police, according to her campaign.
«Jo Mendoza has been on the record for years that police need MORE resources to do their jobs – not less – including body cameras and training. And she has repeatedly stated that she does not support defunding the police,» Mendoza’s campaign said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
«Any other assertion is categorically false, a lie and a political smear from D.C. hacks hoping to save Juan Ciscomani from an early retirement,» the campaign said, referring to the GOP incumbent Mendoza is running against.
Mendoza did not clarify what she had meant by the 2020 statement. However, her campaign pointed to other comments she made in 2020.
«I do not support defunding the police. Police officers are being asked to do too much. They’re being asked to address issues because of the lack of resources in our communities,» Mendoza said in another virtual event that year.
The Republican National Committee slammed Mendoza in a statement to Fox News Digital.
«There’s no way for JoAnna Mendoza to spin her extreme anti-police views, and Arizonans will know that she sides with dangerous criminals over them,» Nick Poche, a spokesperson for the RNC, told Fox News Digital.
The «defund the police» platform, which at the time was championed by several progressive Democrats, has aged poorly, leading Republicans and Democrats to view mere mentions of the phrase as a political liability in 2026.
The movement first burst onto the scene through the outrage after the death of George Floyd, a Black Minnesota resident who died after a police arrest in which an officer pinned him to the ground by placing a knee on his neck for an extended period.
His death sparked an uproar in cities across the country over racism in law enforcement and whether police in America could do more to avoid violence during arrests.
DEMOCRATS WORRY ‘ABOLISH ICE’ SLOGAN WILL BACKFIRE POLITICALLY LIKE ‘DEFUND THE POLICE’ DID
Demonstrators carry a banner during an «I Can’t Breathe» Silent March For Justice in Minneapolis March 7, 2021. (Emilie Richardson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Although the outrage over Floyd eventually subsided, many of the calls to divert resources away from police persisted as a Democratic platform, leading some cities like Minneapolis and Austin, Texas, to reduce their police budgets.
However, the movement began to draw ire from Democrats who feared the party had taken a stance that could be considered at odds with community safety and worsen their odds at the ballot box.
Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., the House Majority Whip under U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in 2021, said the phrase was «cutting the throats of the party.»
«We keep making that mistake. This foolishness about you got to be this progressive or that progressive,» Clyburn said.
TENNESSEE CANDIDATE BLASTS DEM OPPONENT’S ‘UNACCEPTABLE’ TWEETS CALLING TO DISSOLVE NASHVILLE POLICE
Other Democratic strategists, such as James Carville, have also condemned the platform.
Carville called the slogan «the three stupidest words in the English language» in interviews in 2024 and went as far as suggesting the slogan could have led to the loss of Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid against Donald Trump.
«We could never wash off the stench of it,» Carville added.
TLAIB-BACKED SENATE CANDIDATE IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER DELETING ‘DEFUND THE POLICE’ SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
James Carville speaks onstage during Politicon at Music City Center in 2025. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Politicon)
Mendoza faces a tough race in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. Ciscomani, the seat’s current incumbent, narrowly won election in 2024 in a 50%-47.5% victory over Democrat challenger Kirsten Engel.
The district is listed among the Cook Political Report’s most competitive races in 2026, earning one of the 18 seats with a «toss-up» designation.
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Poche believes Mendoza’s previous comments have just made her bid against Ciscomani harder.
«If the Democrats think a defund-the-police radical can beat him, they’re just plain stupid,» Poche said.
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congress,police and law enforcement,politics,democrats elections,arizona,elections
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