Pentagon faces bipartisan criticism over lack of communication with Congress
Republican and Democratic lawmakers used a routine Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing Tuesday to air their frustrations with the Pentagon over what they described as its lack of communication...
By Fox News · Fox News
Republican and Democratic lawmakers used a routine Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing Tuesday to air their frustrations with the Pentagon over what they described as its lack of communication with Congress on key policy decisions and national security issues. The hearing focused on three key nominations — two for the Department of War, Austin Dahmer and Robert Kadlec, and one for the Air Force, Michael J. Borders, Jr. Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, R-Miss., introduced the three nominees, underscoring the significance of the roles they could assume. Wicker noted that Dahmer, nominated to be assistant secretary of war for strategy, plans and capabilities, would oversee the Pentagon’s global posture, guide implementation of the National Defense Strategy (NDS), and help develop plans to implement President Donald Trump ’s foreign policy agenda. SENATE ADVANCES 2026 DEFENSE BILL AFTER WEEKS OF DELAY AS SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON "I make this point in particular because I've noticed an unsettling trend this year. At times, the Pentagon officials have pursued policies that are not in accord with President Trump's orders or seem uncoordinated within the administration," he said. The top Republican pointed to the Pentagon’s announcement last week that it would discontinue the rotational deployment of an infantry brigade combat team in Romania, arguing it appeared at odds with President Trump’s remarks that U.S. troops would not be withdrawn from Europe. A press release from U.S. Army Europe and Africa said the discontinuation of the brigade team is "not an American withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to NATO and Article 5." PENTAGON SCALES BACK TROOPS FROM NATO EASTERN FLANK, DENIES AMERICAN WITHDRAWAL FROM EUROPE "Rather this is a positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility. Our NATO allies are meeting President Trump's call to take primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe," the pr…