Konstantin Toropin
@KToropin
Pentagon & Sea Service Reporter at @militarydotcom | proud @MilNewsGuild member | @CNN, @USNavy alum | On Signal - ktoropin.73
I have finally found the perfect crossover of my passions -
And as has been pointed out, Hegseth has the ability to declassify pretty much whatever he wants. But he never said he declassified the info. He said it wasn't classified to begin with.
This is a huge scoop. @SecDef's defense of his role in the Signalgate sage has been to aggressively argue the information he contributed was unclassified. This reporting really undercuts that claim.
This is a huge scoop. @SecDef's defense of his role in the Signalgate sage has been to aggressively argue the information he contributed was unclassified. This reporting really undercuts that claim.
SCOOP: The Pentagon’s inspector general has received evidence that messages from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Signal account previewing a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen derived from a classified email labeled “SECRET/NOFORN,” people familiar with the matter said.
Current US foreign policy appears to have completely shifted an allies view of us.
“Only 20% of Danes, until recently one of the most pro-American peoples in Europe, say they hold a favorable opinion of the U.S.,” writes @yarotrof
NEW: The Navy’s top enlisted sailor is retiring a year before the end of his term of office as the @NavyMCPON. He offers no hint as to what led to the decision in his statement.
As a military reporter, I've found Reddit to be one of the last remaining online spaces that offers a reasonable glimpse into what servicemembers think of leaders, policies, and issues impacting them. It's not perfect but its invaluable.
Reddit may be the last good website, loved this @jwherrman joint nymag.com/intelligencer/…
The typo ridden letter has now been deleted by both Benny Johnson and Senator Mike Lee
MAGAworld is saying Jerome Powell has quit
"These - and other similar rejections - send a message to experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated employees that we are not valued and not wanted." @SightlineMedia owns Military Times and they're one of the few sites left providing vital accountability to troops and families.
Two weeks ago, we sent our CEO Michael Reinstein this letter asking him to come to the table to negotiate directly with us. We received no response, so are releasing it publicly. We renew our call for direct negotiations with our CEO to produce a fair and equitable contract. 1/2
Military services like the Navy identified medical waivers as a barrier to recruiting years ago. I wrote about it in Jan 2024. military.com/daily-news/202…
To maintain recruiting gains, DoD will need to take a look at things like waiver backlogs. How do we eliminate unnecessary barriers to service without lowering standards? That’s what a new task force, co-led by our office and PA, is investigating. defense.gov/News/News-Stor…
I shouted a question to @SecDef about this reporting just moments ago -- "Is it true you only destroyed one site in Iran?" Hegseth seemed to react with what can best be described as a rueful smile or smirk and shaking his head side to side. nbcnews.com/politics/natio…
Looks like we’re not actually about to get Coke flavored with cane sugar…
A Coca-Cola spokesperson said the company appreciates “Trump’s enthusiasm” for its brand but did not go as far as confirming such a move. (Also welcome to the @ajc, @amywenk!) ajc.com/business/2025/…
D senators press CFPB’s @russvought to justify dropped Navy Federal Credit Union junk fee case — which included $80M to customers. @RubenGallego says the dismissal suggests “commitment to service members is little more than lip service.” Via @KToropin military.com/daily-news/202…
Cangiano becomes the fourth person recently hired to work under @PressSecDOD Kingsley Wilson. Others are @realJoelValdez, @RileyPodleski, and @JacobMBliss. The Pentagon has, to date, only held 4 public briefings - 2 with @SeanParnellATSD and 2 with @SecDef.
Yesterday, I was sworn in as Assistant Press Secretary at the @DeptofDefense. It’s the greatest honor of my life to serve this nation under the leadership of @SecDef and @POTUS . I am so grateful and humbled beyond words. I will give it my all for America! 🇺🇸
Secretary Hegseth, appearing at a partisan @TPUSA event, says the Defense Department doesn't do politics.
. @SECDEF "At the DOD, we are back to basics. To the Constitution. We don‘t do politics. We do WAR FIGHTING on behalf of the American people to keep everybody safe."
An official DoD account says that they will be renamed to the “Department of War”
. @SecDef At the Defense Department (soon to be the Department of War), we lead the BIGGEST PEACE DEPARTMENT IN THE WORLD. Our job is to be strong, ready and lethal so that you NEVER have to use us.