Defence Department

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The Capitol is seen as the partial government shutdown lurches into a third week with President Donald Trump standing firm in his border wall funding demands, in Washington, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. After no weekend breakthrough to end a prolonged shutdown, newly empowered House Democrats are planning to step up pressure on Trump and Republican lawmakers to reopen the government. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

AP Explains: Can Trump declare emergency to build his wall?

By JILL COLVIN - Associated Press

FILE - In an Aug. 11, 2015 file photo, an Air Force military member walks out to medevac biocontainment unit aboard a C-17 military transport plane at Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base during a media tour, in Marietta, Ga. There are fears that groundwater near Georgia military bases could remain contaminated from a toxic firefighting foam used for decades by the U.S. Air Force. Recent tests at Georgia's three air bases show extensive environmental contamination of groundwater. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Air Force’s firefighting foam linked to contaminated water

By Dan Boylan - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House after meeting with lawmakers about border security, Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Donald Trump ponders ‘emergency’ powers to build border wall

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

In this Sept. 21, 2018, file photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks during the 2018 POW/MIA National Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon. Outgoing Defense Secretary Mattis is quoting President Abraham Lincoln in a farewell message to defense employees, urging them to stay focused on their mission. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

The Latest: Trump says he fired Mattis, who left over Syria

Associated Press

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Patrick Shanahan offers help on border wall, warns of threat posed by China

By Carlo Muñoz - The Washington Times

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2018, file photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reviews the troops during the 2018 POW/MIA National Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon. Outgoing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is quoting President Abraham Lincoln in a farewell message to defense employees, urging them to stay focused on their mission. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Leaving Pentagon, Mattis urges workers to ‘keep faith’ in US

By ROBERT BURNS - Associated Press

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in a statement, "We have deep respect for Secretary Mattis' lifetime of service, and it has been a privilege to serve as his deputy secretary." (Associated Press/File)

Patrick Shanahan, acting defense secretary, succeeds James Mattis just 18 months after arrival

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

In this Sept. 21, 2018, file photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks during the 2018 POW/MIA National Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon. Outgoing Defense Secretary Mattis is quoting President Abraham Lincoln in a farewell message to defense employees, urging them to stay focused on their mission. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

James Mattis: Pentagon in ‘best possible hands’ as he departs after Donald Trump clash

By Carlo Muñoz - The Washington Times

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis walks down the steps of the Pentagon, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

James Mattis exit offers chance for ‘Trump do-over’ at Pentagon, insiders say

By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times

The Air Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, a space drone that has flown clandestine missions since 2010, has captured the attention of the UFO community. (Associated Press/File)

UFO conspiracy theorists see Space Force as evidence

By S.A. Miller - The Washington Times

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon, left, and Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, listen as Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, right, speaks during a news conference on the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, at the Pentagon, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Patrick Shanahan to serve as acting defense secretary after James Mattis exit

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

The Pentagon vehemently denies that the White House exerted any political pressure throughout the process for awarding the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract, which ultimately went to Microsoft. (Associated Press/File)

With James Mattis out, Patrick Shanahan or Tom Cotton rumored to be potential replacements

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other top administration officials say the U.S. risks falling behind rivals such as Russia and China in the space arms race. (Associated Press/File)

Donald Trump signs order to create U.S. Space Command

By Lolita C. Baldor - Associated Press

Federal lawsuit claims YRC Freight overcharged government

Associated Press

In this July 17, 2017, file photo, Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., leaves the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Republican senator distances himself from Raytheon stock buy

Associated Press

A U.S. flag is unfurled at sunrise on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, at the Pentagon on the 17th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Michelle Holt scams Defense Department of $1.4 million

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Democratic leaders in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Donald Trump welcomes government shutdown in border wall fight

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Then-U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis talks to the media in presence of Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev following their meeting at the government building in Skopje, Macedonia, Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski) ** FILE **

James Mattis last Donald Trump general standing

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump stands in the seating along the Navy sidelines before the second half of a NCAA college football game between Army and Navy, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

AP FACT CHECK: Prosecutors’ filings do not exonerate Trump

By HOPE YEN and ERIC TUCKER - Associated Press

A demonstrator stands on a stepladder during clashes Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018 in Paris. Crowds of yellow-vested protesters angry at President Emmanuel Macron and France's high taxes tried to converge on the presidential palace Saturday, some scuffling with police firing tear gas, amid exceptional security measures aimed at preventing a repeat of last week's rioting. (AP Photo/Rafael Yaghobzadeh)

AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s trade claims, Paris protesters’ chant

By HOPE YEN and CHRISTOPHER RUGABER - Associated Press