Defense secretary breaks with Trump over military force
President Trump and Defense Secretary Mark Esper are at odds over the president's threat to use active duty troops to rein in protests. Paula Reid reports.
Mark Esper
6/3/20: Red and Blue
Growing scrutiny over handling of protesters; Prepping for a safe election in November
Esper on fallout from Navy captain's firing
Defense Secretary Mark Esper joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the military's role in aiding the country through the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to health care workers, service members are on the front lines providing support to overwhelmed hospitals. Esper also reacts to the fallout from the recent firing of Navy aircraft carrier Captain Brett Crozier, who sent a letter that was later leaked about the severity of the virus threat on his ship.
Public health officials say the worst is yet to come
With the U.S. coronavirus death count at more than 9,000, President Trump and top officials are warning that the toughest week is still ahead. Health officials are also pleading to the public to take social distancing measures even more seriously than now. Nikole Killion reports.
1/6/20: CBSN Evening News
Defense Secy: No plans to pull troops out of Iraq; Young girl defies disability to become musician
11/09/20: Red and Blue
Pres. Trump fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper; Vice President elect Kamala Harris makes history
Trump fires Secretary of Defense Mark Esper
President Trump has fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Christopher Miller, the head of the National Counterterrorism Center, has been named as acting secretary. Ben Tracy reports.
Trump fires Esper as defense secretary 6 days after election
"Mark Esper has been terminated. I would like to thank him for his service," the president said.
Pentagon rescinding order to shutter Stars and Stripes newspaper
President Trump vowed to continue funding the paper in a tweet last week.
Trump on 2015 McCain comments: "I say what I say"
Trump speaks to reporters a day after an article in The Atlantic alleged he had called American service members who died fighting "suckers" and "losers."
Washington ponders next move on Iran
The day after at least a dozen Iranian rockets slammed into two military bases with U.S. troops in Iraq, the Trump administration is pondering its next move. U.S. allies are condemning Iran, which in turn claims this attack concluded their "legal and proportionate" response to the targeted killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. CBS News State Department reporter Christina Ruffini joins CBSN with the latest from Washington.
House hearing on Russian bounty intel reports
Defense Secretary Mark Esper testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss intelligence reports alleging Russia may have paid the Taliban to kill U.S. troops. John Gans, the director of communications and research for the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House global policy center, and former chief speechwriter for Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, joins "Red and Blue" with key takeaways from the testimony.
U.S. to withdraw 12,000 American troops from Germany
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said 5,600 troops would be redeployed to other NATO countries and 6,400 would return to the U.S.
New Pentagon policy effectively bans Confederate symbols
Trump has insisted that the Confederate flag should be protected under "freedom of speech."
Confederate symbols effectively banned at military sites
On Friday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper effectively banned the usage of Confederate flags at U.S. military installations. Esper issued a memo that listed flags that can be displayed, and the Confederate flag was not on that list.
Esper defends use of National Guard in helping with civil unrest after George Floyd death
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley testified before lawmakers Thursday.
Trump demanded 10,000 active-duty troops deploy to streets
In an attempt to satisfy Mr. Trump's demand, Esper and Milley used the call with the governors later that morning to implore them to call up the National Guard in their own states, the official said.
Mattis, Esper speak out against Trump
Former Trump administration Defense Secretary James Mattis issued a scathing statement denouncing Mr. Trump's divisive tactics, while current Defense Secretary Mark Esper publicly disputed the president's comments about using the military to quell protests. CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang joins CBSN to talk about the latest.
Mattis criticizes Trump's protest response
Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis is accusing President Trump of dividing the country. Current Secretary of Defense Mark Esper is also at odds with the president, saying active duty forces should only be used to stop protests as a last resort. Weijia Jiang reports.
Former presidents react to George Floyd's death
Every former living president has now issued a statement on the death of George Floyd. New charges against the officers involved in the incident which led to his death were also filed Wednesday. CBS News' Natalie Brand, CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett and Washington Post political reporter Eugene Scott join CBSN's "Red & Blue" to discuss.
Defense chief opposes sending troops to quell protests
Esper's comments contradicted President Trump, who threatened to deploy the military to quell protests on Monday.
Esper differs with Trump on Insurrection Act
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says he does not support the idea of sending the military into states to control protests, as President Trump has suggested. CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang spoke to CBSN's Tanya Rivero about the implications of that disagreement.
D.C. religious leaders criticize Trump visits
President Trump is facing backlash from local religious leaders for his visits to a historic church and national shrine amid the protests this week over George Floyd's death. CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang joins CBSN to break down the latest developments.
Shanahan withdraws Defense Secy. nomination
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is withdrawing from the confirmation process after accusations of domestic violence by his ex-wife. Secretary of the Army Mark Esper will be taking his place. This comes as the Pentagon also announced it will be sending 1,000 more troops to the Middle East. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin joined CBSN with more.
Trump struggles to facilitate talks with Iran
President Trump is calling John Bolton a "hawk" but says he still has confidence in his national security adviser despite calling off a planned strike on Iran. This comes as the president gears up for high-stakes talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Japan next week. White House columnist for The Hill, Niall Stanage, joins CBSN to break down the latest developments.
Exclusive
New photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian attacks
The images were sent to CBS News by active service members under condition of anonymity.
Patel defends lowering hiring standards related to prostitution, bestiality
Tuesday's hearing marked the first time that Patel has publicly addressed the new hiring standards related to prostitution, employment theft and bestiality.
Live
White House backs Hegseth as new details come out about Iran war's cost
The Iran war has cost the U.S. military at least $33.4 billion — most of it on munitions — and not including hundreds of millions more spent by other agencies, the Pentagon says.
Exclusive
Family blames Texas' "merciless" abortion ban for woman's death, sues Paxton, others
The family of 37-year-old Tierra Walker filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and others, saying she was denied an abortion that could have saved her life.
Exclusive
Ukrainian president tells CBS News Russia targeted his plane with drones
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia targeted his plane with drones as part of a campaign to intimidate him and other foreign leaders.
Board votes to close Kennedy Center immediately for renovations, source says
Earlier Tuesday, a federal judge again blocked the board from adding President Trump's name to the facade of the building.
Trump admin. will comply with mail ballot ruling by Supreme Court, Blanche says
The Supreme Court on Monday blocked the Postal Service from enforcing new mail voting rules ahead of the midterm elections.
FBI investigation thwarts "mass casualty attack" from man accused of ISIS allegiance
Federal officials said Jonathan Kramer had armed himself to carry out a mass casualty attack against the American people.
Americans' incomes hit a record high in 2025. Now for the bad news.
The typical U.S. household's annual earnings have risen only 2.5% since 2019, new data from the Census Bureau shows.
U.S.
More U.S.
Ross Fire still burning, with over 90,000 acres scorched
The wildfire, which has torn through Palo Pinto and Jack counties, forced evacuations, closed roads and disrupted schools.
Exclusive
Family blames Texas' "merciless" abortion ban for woman's death, sues Paxton, others
The family of 37-year-old Tierra Walker filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and others, saying she was denied an abortion that could have saved her life.
Ed Sheeran's supporting acts pull out of tour after Macklemore was dropped
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Trump admin. will comply with mail ballot ruling by Supreme Court, Blanche says
The Supreme Court on Monday blocked the Postal Service from enforcing new mail voting rules ahead of the midterm elections.
House panel recommends holding Leon Black in contempt in Epstein probe
The billionaire investor defied subpoenas to testify to the committee and produce nondisclosure agreements.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Own a car? You're getting socked by higher prices, and not only for gas
Car ownership costs have soared 50% since 2020, according to new economic data. Here's where motorists are getting dinged.
OpenAI backs measure that would require independent audits of AI models
Top OpenAI executive endorses plan that would require AI companies to submit their technology to third-party reviews to assess their safety.
Americans' incomes hit a record high in 2025. Now for the bad news.
The typical U.S. household's annual earnings have risen only 2.5% since 2019, new data from the Census Bureau shows.
Fed rate hike expected on Wednesday. See what it means for your money.
The Federal Reserve is likely to raise borrowing costs on Wednesday, and more hikes could be in store, according to economists.
Your home heating oil bill is likely to jump this winter. Here's why.
Millions of homeowners will face higher heating costs this winter because of surging global oil prices, according to a new forecast.
Politics
More Politics
Exclusive
Family blames Texas' "merciless" abortion ban for woman's death, sues Paxton, others
The family of 37-year-old Tierra Walker filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and others, saying she was denied an abortion that could have saved her life.
Trump admin. will comply with mail ballot ruling by Supreme Court, Blanche says
The Supreme Court on Monday blocked the Postal Service from enforcing new mail voting rules ahead of the midterm elections.
Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war
Rep. Thomas Massie accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of defying Congress with the Iran war, suppressing free speech and other offenses.
House panel recommends holding Leon Black in contempt in Epstein probe
The billionaire investor defied subpoenas to testify to the committee and produce nondisclosure agreements.
Exclusive
New photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian attacks
The images were sent to CBS News by active service members under condition of anonymity.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
Outcome of employment lawsuit could promote use of skimpy health plans
A long-running lawsuit challenging what it means to be an employee and therefore have access to work-based health plans is being closely watched by health policy analysts.
Pennsylvania woman dies of measles complications, coroner reports
A 40-year-old woman died on Saturday from complications associated with measles, the coroner reported.
Strange symptom and a "weird" referral led to surprise Stage 4 cancer diagnosis
Kate Ping thought she was just stressed out. A nurse practitioner's surprising recommendation led to a shocking diagnosis.
Trump admin. to send $500 checks to nearly 1 million ACA enrollees
Affordable Care Act recipients in 30 states are set to receive the $500 checks starting in October. Here's why.
Record-setting cyclospora outbreak is over, U.S. health officials say
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there is no longer a risk of people getting sick with cyclosporiasis from this outbreak and is confident that all related iceberg lettuce is off the market.
World
More World
Exclusive
New photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian attacks
The images were sent to CBS News by active service members under condition of anonymity.
Iran war could cost $2 billion per month, Congressional Budget Office estimates
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the war between Feb. 28 and Aug. 1 has directly cost the U.S. about $38 billion.
Exclusive
Ukrainian president tells CBS News Russia targeted his plane with drones
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia targeted his plane with drones as part of a campaign to intimidate him and other foreign leaders.
7 women found dead in South Africa, sparking fears of serial killer
Authorities say the cases appear to be linked, although they did not confirm whether they are the work of the same killer.
2 U.S. government workers accidentally shot by soldiers in Africa
The U.S. personnel were shot during an anti-smuggling operation in a rural region in the northeast of the country, Eswatini's government said.
Entertainment
More Entertainment
Entertainment
Ed Sheeran breaks silence amid controversy
The rapper Macklemore was bumped from Ed Sheeran's U.S. concert tour for pro-Palestinian comments that some say crossed a line into prejudice. Now, four additional supporting acts have quit in solidarity and the headliner has addressed the controversy. Carter Evans reports.
Ed Sheeran's supporting acts pull out of tour after Macklemore was dropped
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Food & Wine unveils list of "Best New Chefs"
Food & Wine reveals its list of "Best New Chefs" this week. One of those talents is Masako Morishita of Perry's Restaurant in Washington, D.C., who joins to discuss her career move from NFL cheerleader to D.C. food icon and share one of her favorite recipes.
Elin Hilderbrand and daughter on latest book
Elin Hilderbrand, who wrote hit summer reads like "The Perfect Couple" and "28 Summers," joins "CBS Mornings" with her daughter Shelby Cunningham to discuss the latest book in their co-written The Academy Series, titled "The Thoroughbreds."
Remembering Bob Mackie's most iconic looks
Bob Mackie, who bedazzled stars like Cher, Carol Burnett and Marilyn Monroe, died at 87. "CBS Mornings" looks back at some of his legendary looks.
Technology
More Technology
OpenAI backs measure that would require independent audits of AI models
Top OpenAI executive endorses plan that would require AI companies to submit their technology to third-party reviews to assess their safety.
Sanders says potential danger of AI is "probably greater" than nuclear weapons
Sen. Bernie Sanders is one of the most vocal opponents in Congress on rapid AI development, but bipartisan concerns are growing.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Speaker Johnson on Trump's AI comments
President Trump took aim at criticism of AI development, calling the warnings a "hoax." House Speaker Mike Johnson shared his thoughts on Mr. Trump's comments.
Trump lauds AI amid dire warnings
President Trump called Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during an industry summit, saying that data centers "make people wealthy" and dismissing AI development concerns as a "hoax." CBS News' Jo Ling Kent has more on what you should know.
Science
More Science
Anthropic CEO says "exponential" growth of AI is a "warning sign"
Artificial intelligence technology is developing at an "exponential" rate, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei told CBS News, calling the situation a "warning sign" for the industry that requires serious safeguards.
First-ever adult T. rex trackway found in North Dakota
Paleontologists have identified the first known trackway made by a full-grown Tyrannosaurus rex, and the discovery was made in the North Dakota badlands.
Ig Nobel prizes go to scientists studying cockroach milk, nose-blowing, more
Ten research teams were honored at a satirical science awards ceremony that was hosted outside the U.S. for the first time due to travel concerns. A study of cockroach milk was among the winners.
Vote on the fattest marmot now
Marmots, not bears, are the largest "true" hibernating mammal, UCLA marmot researchers Katie Adler and Emily Renkey say. The two share more fun facts about these cute creatures and explain how to vote for the fattest marmot.
NASA plans to launch new space telescope
NASA's new telescope could change the way we see space. With a wide-field camera that will reveal an area up to 200 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope, and an orbit a million miles from Earth, the Nancy Grace Roman telescope is expected to find tens of thousands of unknown exoplanets.
Crime
More Crime
Crime
Investigators believe fireworks triggered wildfire
In Washington state, investigators said they believe illegal fireworks, shot from the back of a pickup truck, sparked a nearly 10,000-acre deadly wildfire earlier this summer. Jason Allen reports.
Stolen Tesla barrels down boardwalk
A man racing a stolen Tesla down a crowded boardwalk hit a woman, setting off a wild chase involving lots of witnesses, including one recording it all on a pair of smart glasses. Jonah Kaplan reports.
FBI foils ISIS-inspired plot in Pennsylvania
The FBI said it thwarted a "mass casualty attack," inspired by ISIS, allegedly by a 21-year-old man in Pennsylvania. Agents allegedly tracked the young man to a hotel where they arrested him. It's the second ISIS-related plot to surface since August. Nicole Sganga reports.
FBI: Pennsylvania man was planning ISIS attack
A 21-year-old Pennsylvania man planned to carry out an ISIS-inspired "mass casualty attack" before being thwarted by the FBI, federal law enforcement officials say. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more.
7 women found dead in South Africa, sparking fears of serial killer
Authorities say the cases appear to be linked, although they did not confirm whether they are the work of the same killer.
Space
More Space
NASA launches its Roman Space Telescope to explore the hidden universe
NASA's Roman Space Telescope launched shortly after daybreak from Kennedy Space Center and blazed toward an observation point 1 million miles away.
Roman Space Telescope promises 300-megapixel views of the cosmos
The $4.3 billion telescope is expected to discover tens of thousands of exoplanets while probing the nature of mysterious dark matter and energy.
First on CBS
Trump to honor Artemis II crew with nation's top space medal
President Trump plans to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the crew of NASA's Artemis II mission in a ceremony Aug. 28.
NASA's Swift telescope will plunge toward Earth after rescue mission called off
The mission to save NASA's sinking space telescope has been called off, dooming the telescope to a fiery reentry later this year.
NASA images show 60-foot-wide crater on moon after SpaceX rocket booster crash
A NASA spacecraft circling the moon is providing the sharpest views yet of the crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket.
Latest Galleries
More Latest Galleries
Notable Deaths in 2026
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Dolly Parton: An extraordinary life in pictures
Dolly Parton, the country music legend who became a feminist icon, has died at the age of 80. Here is a look back at her life in pictures.
Investigating the death of designer Sylvie Cachay
Sylvie Cachay was found dead in an overflowing bathtub at the exclusive Soho House in New York City on Dec. 9, 2010. A water leak at the hotel gave away a timeline that may have revealed her killer.
Summer music highlights of 2026
Summer is the time to enjoy live music, indoors and out. Scroll through our gallery of some of 2026's leading musical acts, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Photos show celebrations at Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center, museum and library opens in Chicago with a star-studded grand opening ceremony and public watch party on Midway Plaisance.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Father-daughter pilots cross paths
Just before taking off for Munich, Germany, United Airlines pilot Kent Katnik, checked in with the tower and heard his daughter, Kenny Katnick, herself a pilot, about to take off for Syracuse. Tony Dokoupil has the story.
Arch Manning apologizes for AI video comments
Arch Manning, one of the most famous names in college football, coming off one of the biggest wins of his life on Saturday, made one of his bigger blunters. He laughed and joked about an AI video of Steve Sarkisian hitting reporter Holly Rowe. He has since apologized.
Images show Iran's damage to U.S. bases
New images obtained exclusively by CBS News reveal devastating damage across U.S. bases in the Middle East after missile and drone strikes from Iran. CBS News' Jonah Kaplan has more.
Newsom: Won't run for president if Harris runs
California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CNN that he will not run for president in 2028 if Kamala Harris launches her own campaign. Political strategists Kendra Barkoff Lamy and Marc Short join "The Takeout" to discuss.
Investigators believe fireworks triggered wildfire
In Washington state, investigators said they believe illegal fireworks, shot from the back of a pickup truck, sparked a nearly 10,000-acre deadly wildfire earlier this summer. Jason Allen reports.