Liz Goodwin, a Congressional reporter for The Washington Post, and Dan Lamothe, a Pentagon journalist, join the discussion on Trump's evolving foreign policy. They analyze Trump's newfound alignment with Putin and the backlash against his unpopular policies on Ukraine. The duo reveals how GOP lawmakers are nervously asking Trump to spare their districts from drastic spending cuts. They also dive into the political repercussions of budget cuts and the internal strife within the Republican Party regarding national defense strategies.

Dan Lamothe and Abigail Hauslohner, national security reporters for The Washington Post, dive into a scandal involving Trump administration officials discussing sensitive military plans in a Signal group chat. They reveal the risks of using unsecured platforms for classified information and explore the ensuing Senate hearing, where officials faced tough questions about accountability. The conversation highlights the need for secure communication channels in the military and critiques varying political responses to such leaks.

Dan Lamothe, a seasoned Pentagon reporter for The Washington Post, and Katherine Kuzminski, a military researcher at the Center for a New American Security, dive into the unconventional choices Donald Trump made for his national security team. They discuss the implications of appointing figures without traditional military backgrounds and the nuances of cultural wars shaping defense policies. The conversation also explores how these selections reflect shifting national security strategies, especially regarding threats from China and Russia, as well as the importance of accountability in military leadership.

Dan Lamothe from The Washington Post discusses the challenges of U.S. aid missions and the resurgence of 'zombie mortgages'. The podcast also previews the NBA Finals matchup between the Celtics and Mavericks.

Guests Dan Lamothe, a military affairs expert from The Washington Post, and Julia Gledhill, an analyst at POGO, dive into the complexities of U.S. aid to Ukraine. They discuss Congress's call for greater oversight amid concerns of military equipment diversion. The conversation highlights the Pentagon's ongoing issues with financial accountability, including its troubling history of unaccounted assets. They also address the intricate balance between support for Ukraine and the need for transparency in defense spending, revealing the deep-seated challenges of managing such vast budgets.