Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter{beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story  Bien says goodbye to the troops President Biden on Thursday continued his farewell tour with wide-ranging final remarks to U.S. service members, touting his defense record while praising the military and urging them to remember their oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.© Evan Vucci, Associated Press President Biden on Thursday continued his farewell tour of Washington, D.C., with wide-ranging final remarks to U.S. service members, touting his defense record while praising the military and urging them to remember their oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.  “Our commitment to honor, to integrity, to unity, to protecting and defending not a person or a party or a place, but an idea,” Biden said. “That’s the idea that generations of service members have fought for, an idea you have sworn an oath to defend as a nation. We’ve never fully lived up to that idea, but we’ve never, ever, ever walked away from it. Our country is counting on you to ensure that will always be true.”   Biden — addressing a crowd of service members and officials including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Charles Q. Brown Jr., Vice President Harris and first lady Jill Biden — moments earlier had received a Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal.   He then took to the podium to praise troops, sailors and airmen for representing “America’s character, honesty, integrity, [and] commitment.”   “Every time I’m here, it’s made me so damn proud to be an American,” Biden said at the farewell ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Fort Myer in Arlington, Va.  “Serving as your commander in chief has been the greatest honor of my life. While I’m deeply grateful for your thanks and affection, I’m here to thank you. Thank you for your service to our nation, for allowing me to bear witness to your courage, your commitment, your character.”  He went on to highlight myriad actions during his time in the White House, including investing “record resources to fight the scourge of military suicide,” bringing veteran homelessness to new lows, changes in the military justice system — which he said has reduced the rates of sexual assault for the first time in nearly a decade — ending President-elect Trump’s enacted ban on transgender service members, creating more economic opportunities for military spouses, and expanding opportunities for women in combat roles.   Biden devoted several minutes to his administration’s effort to enact the PACT Act, legislation that increases access to medical care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits and substances. The issue is particularly close to his heart given his eldest son, Beau Biden, died in 2015 after being diagnosed with brain cancer believed to be a consequence of exposure to military burn pits while serving in Iraq.  He also praised troops for their role in the ending of the Afghanistan War in August 2021 — a chaotic and deadly withdrawal that his adversaries have often attacked his handling of. “When I asked you to end our nation’s longest war, you rose to the occasion … accomplishing the largest airlift in military history in any war,” he said. “I believe history will reflect it was right thing to do, but I know it was hard.” He noted that he carries the pain of losing 13 service members during the withdrawal “every single day.”  And just six months after that war ended, when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and Biden called on the U.S. military to help Kyiv, “you didn’t hesitate. You kept Ukraine in the fight, trained Ukrainian soldiers and pilots, troops bolstered NATO’s eastern flank, and above all, you showed the world America stands up for freedom.” Read the full report at TheHill.com.  Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.  Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future:  Garland cautions against abuse of DOJ power in farewell addressAttorney General Merrick Garland gave a tearful goodbye while warning of the risks of “grave injustice” for those who abuse the Justice Department’s power. Much of Garland’s parting remarks were a defense of the agency he’s led the last four years while making veiled nods to the anxieties of those with a stake in the future of the Justice Department (DOJ).  “The same powers that enable the …  Full Story  Trump names pick for Air Force secretaryPresident-elect Trump on Thursday named Troy Meink, a top spy chief who has previously served as a missile engineer, as his pick for secretary of the Air Force. Trump said in a statement on Truth Social that Meink would work with his Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth “to ensure that our Nation’s Air Force is the most effective and deadly force in the World, as we secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Meink is the …  Full Story  Democrats look to thwart another trans military ban under Trump  Two House Democrats are looking to block President-elect Trump from enacting another ban on transgender people serving openly in the military, reintroducing legislation Thursday that would prevent the armed forces from hiring or firing someone because of their gender identity or sex characteristics.  Trump, who on the campaign trail last year promised to reinstate a 2017 ban on transgender military service that President Biden …  Full Story   On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. CQ Brown will honor Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Va. In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill:Johnson’s Intel Committee shake-up fuels worries about panel under Trump Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) decision to shake up leadership on the House Intelligence Committee sent shockwaves throughout the panel and beyond, fueling concerns on both sides of the aisle about the influence of the MAGA-right and how sensitive national security matters will be handled in the … Full Story   On Tap Tomorrow  Events in and around the defense world:  The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Northern Virginia Chapter will hold its 2025 Army IT Day at 8 a.m. Hudson Institute will hold a discussion on “Righting the Ship: Strengthening U.S. Navy Shipbuilding and Ship Repair,” at 9 a.m.   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: White House holds homeland security tabletop exercise with senior Trump officials (The Associated Press)  Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Fetterman’s approach to Trump stirs speculation Sen. John Fetterman’s (D-Pa.) open-minded approach to President-elect Trump is fueling questions about his motives and vexing some of his fellow Democrats. … Read more Georgia state senator arrested during governor’s speech Georgia state Sen. Colton Moore (R) was arrested and transported to the Fulton County Jail on Thursday for attempting to enter the House Chamber to … Read more  Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: Trump must end the permissive environment Joe Biden is leaving behindKash Patel’s challenge: reforming the FBI while winning its trust Overhaul national intelligence without Tulsi Gabbard at the helm  You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter Subscribe