Hegseth to Cut 20% of Admirals and Generals

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) is set to announce a 20% Cut to slots slated for Admirals and Generals at the Pentagon, as part of His push to Overhaul the Outlook of the Department, Two Pentagon Officials Confirmed to The Hill on 9/29/2026. The Defense secretary will Ppublicize the Reductions, which will affect Senior Leadership positions across the Army, and the Air Force, on 9/30/2026 during His State of the Force Address in Quantico, Va.

The Pentagon Chief will Address Junior Officers and Enlisted Leaders at the Marine Corps Base, where He will Outline His Priorities for the Pentagon in the coming months, including the Major Leadership Shake-Up The New Push from the Defense Secretary comes after He looked to Cut the Number of Active-Duty Four-Star Generals and Admirals in the U.S. Military by at least 10% last year.

In 5/2025, Hegseth Directed Pentagon Leadership to Cut the Number of General Officers in the National Guard by at least 20% and Slash the Total Number of G and Flag Officers, those with a One-Star Rank or Above, by 10%. The Pentagon Chief’s May Order said He wanted “Less Generals, more GIs” and to “shift resources from bloated headquarters elements to our warfighters.”

Hegseth Argued at the Time the Reductions were Critical to Remove “redundant force structure to optimize and streamline leadership by reducing excess general and flag officer positions.” The Service Branches are Requested to Implement the Cuts by 1/1/2027, while some Positions will be Down Graded instead of Slashed.

The Pentagon is Fequiring Troops to meet Waist-to-Height Requirements and Exhibit “impeccable” Grooming Standards to Attend Hegseth’s Speech on 9/29/2026. The upcoming Leadership Cuts come as Hegseth has Fired or Pushed Out more than Two Dozen Military Leaders across the Military Branches since taking the Leading Role at the Pentagon, Personnel Moves that have Unnerved Congressional Lawmakers in both PEies.

In July, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said She was Concerned by the Removal of Senior Military Officers and Blocking Promotions of Lower-Ranked Personnel. “I find this deeply troubling,” Collins said during a Hearing. “These are men and women who volunteered to serve our country and swore an oath to support and defend our Constitution.”

Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), who Sits on the House Armed Services Committee, said during an 4/2026 Hearing that Hegseth’s Firing of Gen. Randy George, the U.S. Army’s former Chief-of-Staff, would have a “chilling effect” on the way the Armed Services Operate. The Pentagon Chief has also Blocked Promotions of Officers slated for Promotion to One and Two-Star Generals, saying that Military Leaders Serve at the Pleasure of the President.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Supreme Court Blocks MS Voting Map

The Unsigned Ruling keeps Missouri's 2022 Districts in Place for a Midterm Election already Underway, handing Trump (R) a Defeat in His National Redistricting Push. According to a Newsweek Report cited by MSN, Trump Rebuked the Supreme Court on 9/28/2026 after the Justices Rejected the Missouri GOP Congressional Map for the Third Time, Shutting down a Republican Effort to use New Districts in Midterm Elections that are already Underway.

The Unsigned Ruling Blocked a Federal Appeals Court Decision that would have Revived the Trump-backed 2025 Map, letting stand instead a Missouri Supreme Court Decision requiring the Map to go before Voters in a November Referendum. There were No noted Ddissents. The Rebuke from Trump, Delivered within hours of the Ruling, turned a State-Level Redistricting Fight into the Latest Flashpoint between the Ppresident and a Court he has frequently Praised.

The justices halted a Rruling from a Panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, that had Directed a District Judge to bar Missouri from using anything other than the New Republican-Friendly Map for the November Elections. In its Unsigned Opinion, the Supreme Court wrote that “at this late date, ordering reversion to the 2025 map in the midst of an ongoing election would usher in electoral chaos.”

The Court leaned Heavily on Timing. Military and Overseas Ballots had already gone out, Absentee Voting began this Week, and the Justices noted that “the election is not merely upcoming; it has already started.” Lower Federal Courts, the opinion said, should not alter a state’s election rules on the eve of a vote. The practical effect is that Missouri voters will cast ballots under the same Congressional Districts used in 2022 and 2024, a Map that Yields Six Republican-held Seats and Two Democratic-held Seats. The Proposed 2025 Map was Designed to Eliminate One of those Democratic Seats, currently held by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) (Kansas City, 5th District )'

Trump encouraged Missouri Republicans to adopt the New Map as part of a Nationwide Redistricting Push intended to give Republicans an Edge in the Midterms. The Map was already used in the State's August Primaries, and Republicans Argued that Switching Maps between the Primary and General Elections would itself Violate the Constitution, an Argument Accepted by the Appeals Court before the Supreme Court Stepped in.

The proposed 2025 Map was Designed to Eliminate One of Missouri's Democratic-held House Seats, currently held by Cleaver. The November Elections will determine Control of Congress, while Missouri 2022 Map includes Six Republican-held Seats and Two Democratic-held Seats. The Dispute began last year, when Missouri’s Legislature Adopted the New Map, known as HB 1, with Trump’s Encouragement. Opponents responded under Missouri’s Constitution: in 12/2025, organizers Ssubmitted more than 300,000 Signatures to Force a Referendum on the Map at the November 2026 election.

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected that petition on August 4, the final day to do so. Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians Missouri, sued the same day. On September 3, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the map could Not be used Unless Voters Approved it First.

What followed was a Dizzying stretch of Conflicting Orders. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who Handles Emergency Appeals from Missouri, Declined to Disturb the State Court Ruling. Days later, the Supreme Court Paused a Federal Judge’s Decision that would have Allowed the New Map. Then, on Monday, an 8th Circuit Panel sided with Republican Congressional Candidates and sought to Revive it, setting up Friday’s Final Rebuff.

Friday's Ruling means Missouri's November Election willPproceed under the 2022 Map, but Voters will still decide the Referendum on the 2025 Map itself. Missourians will choose Congressional Candidates under the Old Lines while also Vvoting on the proposed new Map. “We are done with corrupt politicians trying to force their map into effect outside the process outlined in the Missouri constitution,” von Glahn said in a Statement after the Rruling. “We have said from the beginning, people, not politicians will be the final deciders on this DC power grab.”

Republican Officials, including Gov. Mike Kehoe and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, had Publicly insisted the Redrawn Map would be Used this Fall. That Position is now Foreclosed for 2026, though the Party couldPpursue a New Map if the Referendum Fails The Decision Prevents Missouri from using the 2025 Map in the 2026 Election. The Supreme Court cited the Fact that Voting had already Begun and said Reverting to the 2025 Map during an Ongoing Election wouldUusher in “electoral chaos.” There were No noted Dissents.

Missouri's Constitution allowed Opponents of the New Map to CollectSsignatures and Force a Public Referendum. Organizers Submitted more than 300,000 Signatures in 12/2025 in Support of a Petition to put the Map before Voters. What remains Unclear is how much the Episode Damages the Map’s Prospects in the Referendum, and whether Trump’s Public Attack on the Court foreshadows a Broader Rift as other Redistricting Cases reach the Justices. For now, the 2022 Lines hold, the Ballots are Out, and the Voters get the Final word.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Blocks Trump Tying Anti-Terrorism Grants to Election Changes

A U.S.Judge Blocked the Trump (R) Administration on 9/28/2026, from Conditioning Counter-Terrorism Funds to State and Local Governments on to Election Administration. The Decision by Washington-based U.S. District Judge Amir Ali marks the latest Defeat for Trump, in His Bid to Increase the Federal Government's Authority over Elections ahead of the 11/3/2026 Midterms, when His Republicans are Fighting to retain Majorities in both Houses of Congress.

Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Announced that it would Withhold 20% of Funding under Grant Programs related to Preparing for Terrorist Attacks and other Threats until State or Local Governments Adopted Election Administration Measures Favored by the Administration.

In His 9/28/2026, Ali sided with Counties and Cities in Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas, which Sued to Block the Changes on the Basis that the Conditioning of such Funds Exceeded the Federal Emergency Management Agency' (FEMA) Authority. A Coalition of mostly Democratic Governed States Filed a Separate Legal Challenge to the Policy, which remains Pending.

The Grant Programs Totaling about $1.1 Billion, have Existed for Years. None of Them were Signed with Election Security Specifically in Mind.

“Congress did not authorize the grant program. to be used for the sort of election administration reforms FEMA demands here — changes that, whether sound or not as a matter of policy, are not advanced to prepare for or respond to ‘acts of terrorism,’” wrote Ali, an Appointee of President Joe Biden (D).

In Announcing the Plan to Condition the Funds, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin (R)( said the New Requirements would Protect Election Systems from Foreign Interference and Cyberattacks.

The Plan would have required Grant Recipients to use Equipment that Accepts Hand-Marked Paper Ballots rather than Electronic Voting Systems, Manually Audit at least 5% of Ballots Cast, and Compare their Voter rolls to a DHS Ddatabase to make sure No Non-Citizens were Registered to Vote.

Trump has long made False Claims about Widespread Voting Fraud in U.S. Elections including the 2020 Presidential Election that He Lost.

Independent Studies and Audits have found Voter Fraud to be Rare.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine Anti Drone Wall

NATO Jets are taking down Drones that enter Alliance Airspace, but Alliance Leaders say more Cost Effective Measures are Needed. Fighter Jets have been NATO's Costly Answer to incoming Drones. Latvia is building an Automated Anti-Drone Border Defense, to Stop them with Cheaper Weapons. Its Defense Mminister Said that Jets will be the "Secondary Means" of Stopping Drones.

Fighter Jets armed with Expensive Air-to-Air Missiles have led the way in the Fight to take Down the Cheap Drones that Breach NATO Airspace, a Costly Dynamic Officials say needs to Change. NATO ally Latvia is building a Ukraine-inspired automated anti-drone wall along its entire Eastern Border with Russia. It is designed to make Fighter Jets a Last Line of Defense, not the First, Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis told Business Insider. The System is expected to be Completed by the End of 9/2026.

The System, Melnis said, aims to Detect and Neutralize "any drone which flies in." Fighter Jets will Work instead as "the secondary means" of stopping Drones, He said. If a Drone penetrates the Wall, NATO Jjets will then be used to Intercept it. Latvia's approach is aimed at Addressing a Problem facing NATO more Broadly: relying on Fighter Jets such as F-35s, F-16s, and Rafales,to Shoot down Cheap Drones with Air-to-Air Missiles can prove Expensive. Surface-to-Air Missiles can be even more Costly, Putting Defenders in an Unsustainable situation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in 7/2026. that "long-term we cannot continue by shooting down drones with very costly interceptors, so we have to find interception techniques which are of the same costs as the drones." It's a Problem the U.S. has Worried about in its War with Iran, where some Iranian Drones were Stopped by very Expensive Interceptor Missiles.

Melnis said it's Important that Drones are Stopped by a "cheap but reliable system." He described Interceptor Drones, which the Ukrainians have Pioneered as a Cost-Effective Defense, as "a cheap technology in comparison with a missile." Melnis said that the New Anti-Drone Border is key because ultimately, the "border is not a Russian-Latvian border. It is a Russia-NATO, Russia-Europe border. "K

He said that while this Segment of Russia's Border is Shared Specifically with Latvia, "we are NATO, and we are a European Union country." Any Drone that Crosses the Border, He said, "that's the drone coming into NATO airspace. That's the drone coming into Europe." The Defensive Plan was inspired by Ukraine, which has Developed a Host of Cheap Interceptor Drones to Stop Russian Attack Drones without using Expensive Air Defense Missiles. That Development has been a Wake-Up Call across Europe.

Latvia still Values NATO's Air-Policing Missions, which bring Aircraft and Pilots from Across the Alliance to Defend its Airspace. Those Missions have Expanded at Latvia's Request in Response to recent Drone Incursions. But Russia's War against Ukraine has Demonstrated the Limitations of relying on Expensive Defenses against Cheap Drones, which can be Launched in Large Numbers and Overwhelm Aair Defenses.

Melnis said that the Goal is for Soldiers to make Only "the final decision to neutralize" a Drone. "Otherwise, detection, tracking, and launching, that's autonomous" He said, Allowing Latvia to Rely on Technology to Reduce the Number of Soldiers needed to Operate the System. NATO Allies are Turning to Cheaper Air Defenses, such as Interceptor Drones, and Learning Lessons from Ukraine; however, most are still far from Fielding New Solutions at Scale. Latvia is Moving especially Quickly.

Melnis said that Latvia's Defense Planning was Driven by Observations and Lessons from the War in Ukraine, where Interceptor Drones are proving to have a "really high reliability and kill ratio" against the Threat of Russian Drones. Latvia is keenly focused on preparing for Russian Aggression. It has been Facing what it Calls Hybrid Attacks, including Cyber Attacks, Arson, Espionage, and Disinformation Campaigns. Moscow has also Threatened Military Action Against the Country.

Melnis said Latvia is Not Seeing any Russian Direct Military Aggression or Conventional Threat against Latvia or any other NATO Member, but Russia is attempting to "break our cohesion, unity, break our will to support Ukraine." He said Supporting Ukraine, which Latvia has strongly Backed, Helps Pprotect Latvia and the Rest of NATO by keeping Russia from Advancing and Rebuilding its Forces. Latvia is closely Studying Ukraine's battlefield experience and working with Ukrainian defense companies to apply those lessons at home.

Latvia, He said, should "look at those lessons and then decide what's the best practice for us to take," rather than simply Copying Ukraine. He said Ukraine can Help NATO "build an understanding of how to fight such a war like they are fighting and to build our capabilities to be ready for a war," though a Conflict involving Latvia, as a NATO Ally, could look very different from Ukraine's War.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine makes Major Gains in Lyman Counter Offensive

Ukrainian forces have made gains during a counteroffensive in the Lyman direction and have also captured more than 250 Russian soldiers, according to the Third Army Corps. The Third Army Corps liberated the settlements of Nove, Ridkodub, and Katerynivka. The troops also regained control of Karpivka and Novomykhailivka.

The enemy suffered 2,000 casualties, according to the corps. This marked the end of the third season of the Vivaldi operation. The corps described it as a turning point for the entire operation.

The corps reclaimed another 51 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory. Since the start of the offensive operations, a total of 176 square kilometers have been recaptured. Nove was the main objective of the third season and a key position for Russian forces on the bridgehead.

Andrii Biletskyi, Commander of the Third Army Corps and a brigadier general, said that whoever controls the heights around the settlement has the initiative on the bridgehead. "The enemy was convinced that the main axis of attack was Shandryholove–Zelena Dolyna. This forced them to recklessly burn through their reserves in counterattacks in that area. The Russians failed to see the real attack coming, which was focused on capturing Nove," Biletskyi said.

To break through the Russian defenses, the corps used an invention of its own: Soviet-era BTR-60 armored personnel carriers converted into robotic kamikaze systems. They were used to destroy the enemy's strongest fortifications. Russian troops surrendered in entire units, including officers, pilots and artillerymen Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirmed that Russian forces had made no verified advances along most sectors of the frontline.

Russian military bloggers had claimed that Russian forces captured villages in the Kharkiv region, but analysts found no evidence to support those claims. Meanwhile, analysts believe Russian leader Vladimir Putin is unlikely to agree to an energy ceasefire.

According to ISW, he may instead rely on long-range strikes this winter.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Rolls Back Car Efficiency Standards

The Trump (R) Administration has rolled back Car Efficiency standards that required Automakers to ensure their products were using Less Fuel.

While the Biden (D) Era Standards would have required Vehicle Fleets to Average 50.4 miles per Gallon by 2031, the Trump Administration on 9/29/2026 brought that Number down to 34.9 miles per Gallon.

The Administration argued that this would make cars Cheaper, though Opponents of the Move point out that Car Oowners could Spend more on Gasoline as a Result. The Change could also lead to more Pollution, and Worsen Climate Change.

The Move comes after the Standards were made Toothless in Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as a Provision in that Law Lowered the Penalties for Not Meeting the Standards to Zero dollars.

However, now that the Stricter Biden-era Rules are Off the Books, Automakers will Not Legally have to Abide by them, even if the Law would have them from being Punished for Not Complying.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Hegseth’s Army Secretary Nomination Pick

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s (R)pick to lead the Army is facing Democratic opposition and a hesitant reception from key Republicans, amid jockeying for the service branch’s top civilian post after Dan Driscoll resigned a month ago. Hegseth’s choice to lead the Army is Sean Parnell, a decorated Afghanistan war veteran and his senior advisor and chief spokesman at the Pentagon. The former congressional candidate has boosters within the Pentagon and allies in MAGA circles outside of the department.

But Parnell, a culture warrior in Hegseth’s mode, has received an icy reception on Capitol Hill among lawmakers and staff on the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), in part over abuse allegations from his estranged wife A congressional aide and previous SASC staffer said Parnell currently does not have enough support to advance out of the committee, if he were nominated by President Trump.

An administration official predicted some skeptical senators would vote to confirm Parnell if the president ends up nominating him for the role. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a Senior Member of the panel, said on Thursday that “Right now, I’d be very doubtful that he could be confirmed.” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said it would be “hard” for him to see it happen.

“His record, particularly the spousal abuse stuff, is just a bridge too far for the vast majority of people,” Cramer said last week. “Not to mention there are other good people.” Parnell, who was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his service during the Afghanistan War, ran for a Pennsylvania Senate seat with Trump’s endorsement, but withdrew in November 2021 after losing a court fight over custody of his children, which included allegations of abuse by his estranged wife. He has denied allegations and wrote in 2024 that he had been “vindicated” and he now shares custody of all five of his children.

SASC Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS said he has not counted votes on the panel to gauge if Parnell has enough backing. “I’d rather not comment until someone is nominated. I don’t see the point of doing that,” Wicker told The Hill on Thursday when asked if he sees a path to getting him confirmed Wicker said if Parnell asked for “insight” on his standing within SASC, he would “check around.”

Apart from Parnell, the White House is also considering Marc Andersen — the assistant secretary of the Army, financial management and comptroller — and Derrick Anderson, the assistant secretary of Defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, The Hill previously reported. Derrick Anderson, like acting Navy secretary Hung Cao, ran an unsuccessful bid for Congress in Virginia in 2024 before joining the Pentagon in the second Trump administration.

Some sources in and around the Pentagon see Marc Andersen, who has held executive leadership roles within venture capital, as a dark-horse pick for the role. A person familiar with Andersen’s work told The Hill on Friday that Andersen is a “patient, persistent guy who cares about the Army and the troops and does not care about the spotlight.” Three Medal of Honor recipients came out in support of Andersen. But one, Earl Plumlee, who was referred to The New York Post to speak on the Army comptroller’s behalf, sided with Parnell.

“The reason I think Parnell is the better choice is just the vast amount of experience that he’s going to have in interacting with the industry,” Plumlee said. Parnell has some support among some Senate Republicans.

“Sean is a good friend, a decorated combat veteran, a true patriot, and a fellow Pennsylvanian,” Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) said on social media last week. “I have full confidence that if Sean is given the honor of serving in this role, he will do so with courage and distinction.” Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), a SASC member and former Navy SEAL, said the same day that Parnell “has been doing a tremendous job alongside” Hegseth at the Pentagon.

There will be a “handful” of senators within SASC and outside the panel who will be endorsing Parnell in the next few weeks, according to two administration officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to openly discuss the process. Parnell has support from multiple senior White House officials and some of Trump’s outside advisers, The Hill previously reported.

When contacting the Pentagon for comment on Friday, a senior administration official said Parnell is “100 percent focused on the job he was appointed” to by Trump and Hegseth. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who sits on SASC and is a former Navy pilot, told The Hill on Thursday that being nominated for Army Secretary would be a “promotion” for Parnell, but admitted that he does not know much about him.

“I’ve never seen somebody that I can think of that went from communications/spokesperson to running the whole thing,” Kelly said. “So we did have somebody go from reality TV star to president, so who knows?” Hegseth spoke with Trump about Parnell and his possible nomination as Army Secretary at the beginning of September, according to one U.S. official.

The White House did not address the conversation, but spokesperson Anna Kelly told The Hill that the president will announce a nominee for the next Secretary of the Army “at a time and place of his choosing.” It’s unclear when the president will nominate a permanent replacement for Driscoll or if Telle could be selected to stay in the role. Even if Trump did make a nomination, the Senate would be unlikely to take up the confirmation fight until after the midterms.

Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is reportedly leading the process for the White House. The position opened up after Driscoll, an ally of Vice President Vance, resigned from the role late last month after months of internal clashes with Hegseth. Army undersecretary Mike Obadal met with Hegseth to discuss the interim Army secretary post, right after Driscoll resigned but before Adam Telle was picked, a source familiar with the meeting told The Hill. The Pentagon declined to comment on the meeting.

Telle, the current assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, was appointed acting Army Secretary four days after Driscoll’s exit, to the surprise of some defense officials. Telle, who has spent his career on Capitol Hill working for Senate Republicans, has made a good impression in Congress so far, sources said.

SASC members were “very pleased” with Telle, according to a congressional aide. A U.S. official told The Hill on Friday that Telle has “welcomed the productive conversations” with SASC members Telle has been in touch with lawmakers in both parties and met with four Republican senators Wednesday on Capitol Hill, touching on topics including Army modernization, one official told The Hill on Sunday. The senators were Pete Ricketts (Neb.), Joni Ernst (Iowa), Dan Sullivan (Alaska) and John Boozman (Ark.), they said.

Another U.S. official and a source familiar with the dynamic said Telle “knows” that the acting secretary post is temporary.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker