Today is Flag Day!
The current design of Florida's state flag was adopted in 1900. Because when furled, the flag lacked color, the 1899 Legislature voted to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to update the flag. Florida voters approved the change adding the diagonal red bars. See all of Florida’s State Flags here: https://t.co/45w9qthM7l
Honored to join the Wilson Center in celebration of 165 years of friendship between the United States and Italy.
The bond between our nations continues to grow stronger through diplomacy, culture, tourism, and shared values. 🇺🇸🇮🇹
Tren De Aragua was the consequence of a weak Biden Administration, preying on open borders to bring narco terrorism into the American heartland.
President Trump promised retribution for the murder of Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, and the scourge of Aurora, Colorado. The War Department under Secretary Hegseth delivered.
The death of Nino Guerrero sends a clear message to Latin America. There is no refuge for narco terrorists in our hemisphere. The Department of War and the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) will continue to deliver on President Trump's promise.
Today, I’m releasing never before seen intelligence revealing new evidence of past US government funding for more than 120 biolabs in over 30 countries, including Ukraine.
In support of President Trump‘s Executive Order to end federal funding of dangerous gain of function research around the world, and increase transparency and accountability, ODNI will continue working with partners across the Administration to identify where these labs are, what pathogens they contain, and what “research” is being conducted.
https://t.co/pLMD0krc69
It was an honor to attend a third roundtable with our partners from the GCC and Jordan today, graciously hosted by Bahrain’s Ambassador, Sheikh Abdullah Al Khalifa. DoW values the relationship with these critical partners, who have stepped up over the past few months to lead in their own defense. We had a productive discussion about a range of topics, including the situation in the Middle East and how our partners can further underwrite regional security by increasing investment in their national defense capabilities.
Happy Republic Day to all Italians! 🇺🇸♥️🇮🇹
Today we celebrate the values of freedom, unity, and democracy that make Italy such an extraordinary nation. After more than a year serving here, my admiration for Italy and the Italian people has only grown stronger.
Auguri a tutti!
In the tradition of those who have long studied the Levant and Anatolia — Iraq, Syria, and Turkey remain the strategic fulcrum upon which any enduring Middle East stability must pivot. Balancing these three nations requires a single, consistent point of American contact and leverage — transcending tribal, religious, or sectarian differences. This vital mission, embraced by President Trump, seeks to aid the region in aligning itself toward shared prosperity by weaving its disparate threads into one coherent tapestry of order and mutual interest.
Today, I addressed the delegates of the Shangri-La Dialogue. I outlined America’s return to realism in the most consequential region in the world: the Pacific. We are moving away from a model of dependency and toward one of true partnership, to preserve a favorable balance of power that benefits us all.
.@SECWAR “For those nations that rise to this challenge, that embrace responsibility as true partners, the benefits will be clear. As our strategy states, we will prioritize working with “model allies” – those nations that are most capable, clear-eyed, and ready to defend their national interests.
For those nations, we are moving them to the front line: Expedited arms sales, deep industrial collaboration, expanded intelligence sharing – the list goes on.
But for those who believe they can continue to free ride on the generosity of the American taxpayer, hear us now:
Those days are over. Allies who refuse to step up and carry their own weight for our collective defense will face a fundamental shift in how we do business".
.@SECWAR “The era of the United States subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is OVER.
We need partners, not protectorates. We seek alliances built on shared responsibility, not shared dependency."
We honor the Marines who raised the flag on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945.
Those men bravely fought through one of the toughest battles in the Pacific.
Their courage drives our commitment to defend this nation with the same grit, sacrifice and unbreakable resolve they showed on that mountain.
.@SECWAR “We are holding the big defense contractors to the highest possible standard, just as we do with our warfighters…
No more monopolies.
No more waiting 15 years for a ‘perfect’ solution that never arrives.
No more egregious executive bonuses while falling behind on your projects.
No more prioritizing Wall Street over the warfighter.
The companies we invest in MUST invest in themselves and put their workers and our warriors FIRST.”
As someone who watched the Miracle on Ice on a 15” black and white tv in the basement of the barracks at West Point, it’s great to see this kind of national pride again from our athletes.
One of Florida's most stunning natural springs...Silver Glen Springs and its iconic palm tree that rises straight from the water is a clear, bright spring tucked inside Ocala National Forest. The main swimming area is wide and open, with water so clear you can see straight to the sandy bottom. Palm trees line the edge of the spring, giving it a classic Old Florida look that feels untouched. About 65 million gallons of water flow out of the spring each day, holding steady at around 73 degrees year-round before moving into Lake George. Snorkeling is one of the best things to do here, and during warmer months you can often float alongside large schools of sunshine bass and striped bass drawn into the cool spring water.