Mike Brest

Mike Brest is a defense reporter at the Washington Examiner. Prior to joining the defense beat, he spent two years covering breaking news for the Washington Examiner, and he worked at the Daily Caller in a similar capacity before that. Mike graduated from American University and is originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia.

U.S. Army Sgt. Anthony Karl (left) and Staff Sgt. Jacob Owens, assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, test fly the Skydio X10 during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Drone Warfighter Competition in the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Dec. 10, 2025. The competition assesses unmanned aerial systems operator capabilities from the U.S., Spain and Italy, and reinforces the U.S. Army's commitment to innovation and readiness, and builds esprit des corps and camaraderie. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Collin Mackall)

Barksdale Air Force Base drone incursion: What to know about incident over home of B-52 bombers

Mike Brest · March 27, 2026 1:34 pm

Trump at 2025 CPAC

Trump’s energy policy a ‘giant chess game’: Tiana Lowe Doescher at CPAC

Britta Miller · March 27, 2026 1:24 pm

Vice President JD Vance, chair of the newly formed Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, speaks during the task force's first meeting in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Vance kicks off anti-fraud task force aimed at stopping ‘theft’ of taxpayer money

Hailey Bullis · March 27, 2026 12:50 pm

Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Marco Rubio’s star power rises at CPAC 2026

Mabinty Quarshie and Samantha-Jo Roth · March 27, 2026 12:47 pm

Revolutionary War era painting depicting correspondence at the time (Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon).

On This Day: British fleet leaves Boston, destination unknown

Salena Zito · March 27, 2026 12:45 pm

Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Missouri Rep. Sam Graves withdraws plans for 2026 reelection bid

Rachel Schilke · March 27, 2026 12:36 pm

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House.

White House releases new app that puts the presidency in your pocket

Britta Miller · March 27, 2026 12:29 pm

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), left, and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), right, listen as House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) speaks to reporters

House scrambles to fund DHS as rebels revive SAVE America Act demands

Rachel Schilke · March 27, 2026 12:11 pm

Kristi Noem and Markwayne Mullin.

Glamour shots of Noem and phones in Faraday bags: Mullin takes on a messy DHS

Anna Giaritelli · March 27, 2026 12:07 pm

President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md.

WATCH LIVE: Abbott, Bannon, Carr set to speak at CPAC Day 2

Emily Hallas · March 27, 2026 12:04 pm

Barron Trump sits next to his mother, Melania Trump, at the State of the Union

British judge shouts out Barron Trump while sentencing Russian domestic abuser he reported

Timothy Nerozzi · March 27, 2026 11:59 am

Conservative political strategist Steve Bannon, former adviser to President Donald Trump speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Grapevine northwest of Dallas, Texas, on March 26, 2026. American conservatives converge this week for what organizers bill as their largest and most influential gathering, with the Iran war and fears of a punishing midterm election cycle heightening the stakes.

Washington Secrets

Secrets at CPAC: Water gun duels with a Bannon, a Grenell snub, and Liz Truss is everywhere all the time

Rob Crilly · March 27, 2026 11:56 am