The Needle: Killer Robots Are Coming, Elon Musk Will Lead a Task Force on the Future of Warfare, Trump Is Trying to Claw Back $810 Million from Maryland, and More
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Gail O'Hara (via Washington CityPaper)
Killer robots: According to Democracy Now, silence buyer and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon is launching a new four-star military command “dedicated to the rapid adoption of killer robots and other autonomous weapons” during his “State of the Force” address on Wednesday. Amnesty International is calling for a ban: “The replacement of troops with machines makes the decision to go to war easier.” Minus 10 points because we pay the military to protect—not terrify—us. -10 [Democracy Now]
Negative force: Hegseth has appointed Elon Musk to lead a U.S. task force on the future of warfare, along with broligarch and Anduril CEO Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. A DOD press release calls it “Project Meridian” and says its goal is “identifying the capabilities required to achieve absolute technological dominance on the next-generation battlefield.” The project will explore how our military can use new tech and conduct warfare in “untested terrains” like the moon and the deep sea. Minus one point for another outlandish waste of dollars. -1 [Guardian]
Picked pocket: Convicted felon and President Donald Trump’s “pocket rescission” will cancel $810 million in congressionally approved federal funds for Maryland, impacting minority-owned business grants, refugee assistance, health care, and housing. Trump sent a message to House Speaker Mike Johnson Sept. 25 requesting 11 rescissions in six departments. The White House says it wants to claw back funding for “wasteful, duplicative, and sometimes outright harmful” initiatives, describing them as “pro-illegal immigration” and grants that promote “DEI, discrimination, and radical woke ideologies.” State and Prince George’s County officials warn local budgets can’t absorb any more cuts. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen says they are fighting the decision. Minus one point because if you care about wasteful spending, look in the mirror. -1 [Banner]
Gloomy forecast: Small businesses in the DMV are finding it difficult to cover health insurance costs for employees. Median individual premiums reached $8,743 in 2026, up 7 percent. More than 52 percent of small businesses absorbed higher costs, but 98 percent say providing coverage is becoming unsustainable. The National Federation of Independent Business is pushing Congress to help make coverage more affordable. A survey found 73 percent of business owners are considering dropping benefits in 2027, with 85 percent citing the high cost as the reason. Minus one point for making life harder. -1 [WBJ]
Out of stock: An ethics document shows former White House press secretary and Mean Girl Karoline Leavitt owns stock in Trump’s social media company, Tesla, defense contractors, oil companies, and tech titans. In her official capacity, she often spoke about the companies and industries she’s invested in, including promoting Tesla. Of course she’s not the only one in the administration to cash in. Minus one point for using our government as an investment strategy. -1 [Washington Sun]
33 days … until the midterm elections. Plus one point for hope. +1
