Outside the Beltway

Democrats in the Senate appear ready to de-link DACA from the budget. That would remove the threat of a government shutdown, but it could anger their base.

As the Federal Government shutdown moves into the work week, there are some rumors of a possible deal, but nothing concrete and the lack of trust between the two parties could make a deal hard to achieve.

With less than two days to go, the prospects for Congress finding a way to prevent a government shutdown aren’t looking good.

Three U.S. cities are suing the Federal Government over the failure to properly report military convictions to the national gun background check database.

Transgender Americans will be able to enlist in the military beginning January 1st thanks to a ruling from a Federal District Court Judge.

Big problems for the Air Force.

North Korea tests another missile, and sends another message to the United States and its allies in Asia and the Pacific.

For the second time in as many months, a Federal Court is blocking the Administration’s ban on transgender troops in the military.

Is it time to reexamine Presidential authority to launch a nuclear strike?

The shooter in the Texas church shooting was apparently able to get his weapons because the Air Force failed to report his domestic violence conviction.

A Federal Judge in Washington, D.C. has blocked the Trump Administration from implementing its ban on transgender soldiers.

America has become involved in conflicts around the world, largely without the knowledge of the American people or the consent of their representatives, and it doesn’t appear that’s going to end anytime soon.

The widow of Sgt. La David Johnson spoke out about the death of her husband and the controversy over the phone call she received from President Trump. And Trump proceeded to attack her and call her a liar.

The capital of the purported caliphate declared by ISIS has apparently fallen, but that doesn’t mean the end of ISIS. In fact, it may make the group more dangerous.

President Trump sinks even lower.

Now Donald Trump is using the death of American soldiers to tell lies about his predecessor.

Iraqi military forces begin to crack down against Iraqi Kurds after last month’s independence referendum.

Donald Trump is continuing to up the ante in his rhetorical war against one of America’s most fundamental freedoms.

Donald Trump continues to be as astoundingly ignorant about the most powerful weapons the U.S. military possesses as he was as a candidate.

Tensions continue to rise between the White House and Foggy Bottom.

Donald Trump’s increasingly confrontational rhetoric regarding North Korea is leading to similar rhetoric from the DPRK, and concern among top diplomats.

Once again, Congress is abdicating its Constitutional responsibilities.

At some point, it will be time to move on.

More provocative action from North Korea, and another reminder that there are no easy answers to the problems represented by the Kim regime.

Contrary to reports, Secretary of Defense Mattis is not defying the President on his order to bar transgender Americans from serving in the military.

President Trump’s effort to ban transgender Americans from serving in the military faces two new legal challenges.

President Trump’s shameful decision to ban transgender Americans from the military has nothing to do with military readiness and everything to do with pandering to his far-right base.

The Trump Administration has reportedly finalized its order to the Defense Department regarding a ban on military service by transgender soldiers.

President Trump’s Afghanistan policy sounds awfully familiar, and it’s likely to lead to the same results.

Based on initial reports, Trump’s Afghanistan policy looks a lot like what we’ve seen for the past sixteen years.

More stupid, irresponsible rhetoric from the President of the United States.

Just about two weeks after being announced, the President’s proposed ban on military service by transgender troops is being challenged in Court.

Another escalation on the Korean peninsula.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff are making clear that President Trump’s tweets are not official policy. At least not yet.

A step backward on civil rights from a President who claimed he would be a friend to the LGBT community.

Sad news about a Washington stalwart.

Donald Trump seems to have an odd habit of sharing highly classified information with questionable people.

Lt. General Michael Flynn is declining to comply with a Congressional subpoena regarding the Russia investigation, and invoking his rights under the Fifth Amendment.

South Korea has elected a new President who breaks with his impeached predecessor in favoring dialogue with the North.

America’s longest war is still going on, and President Trump’s advisers want him to continue his predecessor’s policies of continuing to re-expand American forces in a war that has seemingly no end.

North Korea is threatening another nuclear test, the United States is threatening retaliation, and China is warning of a ‘gathering storm’ on the Korean Peninsula.

It’s not at all clear that there is a useful strategy at work here.

Despite American air strikes, ISIS is expanding its power amid the chaos in Libya.

Trump appears to undervaluing existing bureaucracies listening more to hacks and ideologues.

President Trump has issued a revised ban on travel from six predominantly Muslim nations.

A new Pentagon proposal would place more discretion in the hands of field commanders, removing the need for Presidential approval.

Reports indicate that President Trump will seek to increase military spending. We don’t need to, and we can’t really afford it.

There are growing signs that the Deep State is seeking to thwart legal orders from President Trump. This is dangerous.

Steve Bannon is in. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Director of National Intelligence are out. Sort of.