Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story Hegseth promises faster weapons buying with sweeping reforms Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday unveiled a sweeping overhaul to how the Pentagon buys weapons, a restructuring aimed at having the U.S. military more quickly acquire new...

A federal judge ruled on Friday that the Trump administration violated the First Amendment by sending automated emails and messages blaming the government shutdown on Democrats. In the ruling, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said the Department of Education (DOE) cannot compel federal workers to engage in partisan speech. The American Federation of Government Employees...

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to immediately halt a judge’s ruling that requires full Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) November payments be made to states by Friday. An appeals court declined to block the ruling ahead of the deadline, and the administration warned it is “untenable at every turn” and will “sow further...

The State Department announced on Friday that the United Nations Security Council lifted the terrorist designation of two Syrian officials, including the country's new president Ahmed al-Sharaa. The adoption of a resolution "championed by the United States" to delist al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Hasan Khattub "sent a strong political signal that further recognizes Syria's...

A House Democrat is defending her viral clash with Speaker Mike Johnson, arguing her outburst was justified because Johnson has refused to negotiate with Democrats during the shutdown.

The Trump administration filed an emergency Supreme Court appeal after losing a bid to partially fund the SNAP food assistance program amid the ongoing shutdown.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., offered to extend Obamacare subsidies in exchange for reopening the government as the 38-day shutdown continues.