Joe Gould

Washington, D.C.

Defense Reporter at POLITICO

@Politico defense reporter. Tips: [email protected]. Ex @Defense_News, @ArmyTimes, @NYDailyNews & @hammondlastar. BK native.

Articles

Making sense of Trump’s defense spending math

1 week ago | politico.com | Joe Gould |Connor O'Brien |Eric Bazail-Eimil |Robbie Gramer

Republican hawks say President Donald Trump needs to enter high-stakes negotiations with Iran and Russia with a better funded U.S. military behind him. | Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images With help from Jack Detsch, Daniel Lippman and Kyle CheneySubscribe here | | President DONALD TRUMP and Defense Secretary PETE HEGSETH have promised a $1 trillion defense budget. Their budget doesn’t deliver it — unless you squint.
Inside Trump’s plan to turbocharge foreign arms sales

2 weeks ago | politico.com | Robbie Gramer |Joe Gould |Eric Bazail-Eimil

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, are proposing major changes to the Arms Export Control Act. | Evan Vucci/AP With help from Paul McLeary, Eli Stokols and Phelim KineSubscribe here | | The Trump administration is urging Congress to loosen its oversight of U.S. arms sales — in what could be a welcome move in Europe, where frustrated NATO allies have long pleaded for faster access to American weapons.
The natsec headaches Canada’s new leader inherits

2 weeks ago | politico.com | Robbie Gramer |Eric Bazail-Eimil |Joe Gould

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney already faces a bevy of national security headaches centered on the Trump-fueled breakdown of U.S.-Canada ties. | Jordan Pettitt/AP With help from Connor O’Brien, Nahal Toosi and Daniel LippmanSubscribe here | | The Donald giveth, the Donald taketh away. New Canadian Prime Minister MARK CARNEY may have U.S. President DONALD TRUMP partly to thank for his Liberal party’s resurrection and historic electoral win.
Hegseth cancels 'woke' Pentagon program that was created by ... Trump

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Eric Bazail-Eimil |Joe Gould

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday he will wind down a program at the Pentagon that boosts the participation of women in peace building and conflict prevention efforts that President Donald Trump signed into law in his first term.
Musk’s role in Air Force nominee’s job interview sparks ethics concerns

2 weeks ago | politico.com | Joe Gould |Sam Skove

His inclusion is significant because the SpaceX founder has billions of dollars in national security and defense contracts at stake. Elon Musk speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Republicans circle wagons in Hegseth’s defense, despite private frustration

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Connor O'Brien |Sophia Cai |Joe Gould

Most Republicans aren't willing to denounce Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over alleged security lapses and allegations of mismanagement, but privately, some in the GOP are increasingly worried. “My boss is livid,” said a Republican staffer granted anonymity because they were not allowed to speak publicly. “He defended Hegseth the first time around to be a team player, but the second time he’s not — because sending classified info to your wife and personal lawyer is something completely different.
4/22/25 National Security News and Commentary

3 weeks ago | myemail.constantcontact.com | Nancy Youssef |Meridith McGraw |Joe Gould |Connor O'Brien

Quotes of the Day:"There is no friend as loyal as a book." - Ernest Hemingway“There was always a minority, afraid of something, and a great majority, afraid of the dark, afraid of the future, afraid of the past, afraid of the present, afraid of themselves and shadows of themselves.” – Ray Bradbury“When you are dead, you don't know you are dead. It's pain only for others. It's the same thing when you are stupid”— Richard Feynman1.
‘Honey badger’ admiral emerges as top contender for Navy chief

1 month ago | politico.com | Jack Detsch |Joe Gould |Daniel Lippman

Adm. Daryl Caudle — a longtime admiral who has demanded accountability from America’s ailing shipbuilding industry — has emerged as the front-runner for the Navy’s top officer post, according to five people with knowledge of the process. The likely selection of Caudle, a four-star admiral who heads the command that trains and equips the Navy’s sailors, comes just two months after President Donald Trump fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first female in that role.
‘Honey badger’ admiral emerges as top contender for Navy chief

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Jack Detsch |Joe Gould |Daniel Lippman

Adm. Daryl Caudle — a longtime admiral who has demanded accountability from America’s ailing shipbuilding industry — has emerged as the front-runner for the Navy’s top officer post, according to five people with knowledge of the process. The likely selection of Caudle, a four-star admiral who heads the command that trains and equips the Navy’s sailors, comes just two months after President Donald Trump fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first female in that role.
Senate to pull an all-nighter to confirm Dan Caine to lead Joint Chiefs

1 month ago | politico.com | Joe Gould |Connor O'Brien