Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Defense Cuts, Border Ads and Other Key Developments
The newsletter reports several major developments in government, defense, business and international affairs.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to reduce the number of top military positions by 20 percent.
The United States government also used border-agency money for television ads supporting President Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.
A billionaire linked to Peter Thiel reportedly bought a very expensive home in Los Angeles.
In Yemen, the Houthi group has gained territory and received weapons-related support linked to Iran and China.
A judge said New York City did not properly introduce a new tax on some second homes.
The city must pause parts of the rollout and try again.
The newsletter also says an El Niño event has contributed to an unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to announce a 20% reduction in positions reserved for generals and admirals, with cuts due by January 1, 2027.
Taxpayer funds from U.S. Customs and Border Protection were reportedly used for pro-Trump television ads that the White House calls public-service announcements.
Peter Thiel is reportedly linked to the $130 million purchase of Casa Encantada, a Bel-Air estate sold at auction in July.
The Iran-backed Houthis have expanded along Yemen’s coast and increased Red Sea attacks using technology and components linked to Iran and China.
A judge ordered Mayor Mamdani to redo the rollout of a pied-à-terre tax, blocking action on notices sent to about 17,000 New Yorkers and requiring removal of a property tax roll.
- Who
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Trump administration, Peter Thiel, Yemen’s Houthis, and Mayor Mamdani are among the principal figures and groups mentioned.
- What
- The newsletter covers planned Pentagon leadership cuts, use of border-agency funds for pro-Trump ads, a luxury-home purchase, Houthi expansion, and a court-ordered redo of a New York City tax rollout.
- When
- Hegseth’s announcement is expected Wednesday; the military cuts are due by January 1, 2027; the Casa Encantada sale occurred at a July auction; and the tax ruling followed notices sent during the rollout.
- Where
- The developments involve the Pentagon and U.S. government, Bel-Air in Los Angeles, Yemen and the Red Sea, and New York City.
- Why
- The stated reasons include reducing senior military positions, producing ads promoted by President Trump, expanding Houthi control and capabilities, and correcting a tax process the judge found unlawful.
Official Positions and Actions
Criticism and Legal Challenges
Senior military leadership cuts
Official Positions and Actions
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to proceed with a 20% reduction in positions reserved for generals and admirals.
Criticism and Legal Challenges
The newsletter does not provide a direct opposing statement from military leaders or other critics of the planned cuts.
Television advertisements
Official Positions and Actions
The White House has described the pro-Trump advertisements as public-service announcements, and President Trump reportedly helped promote and create them.
Criticism and Legal Challenges
The ads were described as controversial, with reported concern that taxpayer money from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was used to fund them.
Pied-à-terre tax rollout
Official Positions and Actions
Mayor Mamdani’s administration published a tax roll covering about 900,000 properties and sent notices to roughly 17,000 New Yorkers.
Criticism and Legal Challenges
A judge ruled that the rollout unlawfully placed the burden on homeowners to prove residency and ordered the city to pause the notices, remove the online tax roll, and redo the process.
- Planned military reduction
- A 20% cut to positions reserved for generals and admirals.
- Military deadline
- The armed services have been directed to complete the cuts by January 1, 2027.
- Border-ad funding
- The money reportedly came from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Casa Encantada price
- The Bel-Air estate was purchased for $130 million, according to the report.
- Tax notices affected
- About 17,000 New Yorkers received notices in the pied-à-terre tax rollout.
- Atlantic hurricane season
- No hurricanes had occurred in the North Atlantic by the newsletter’s reporting period, according to the article.