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.

Iran hanging

Iran promised Trump not to execute any protesters on day of expected hanging

Brady Knox · January 14, 2026 4:11 pm

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters after he participated in a fireside chat at the California Economic Summit on October 22, 2025 in Stockton, California. Gov. Newsom answered questions about the Trump administration's plans to deploy border patrol officers and the National Guard to San Francisco. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Newsom calls to ‘hold xAI accountable’ for explicit deepfakes

Jenny Goldsberry · January 14, 2026 4:05 pm

President Trump displays the signed executive order renaming the Department of Defense the Department of War at the White House.

Changing Pentagon name to Department of War could cost up to $125 million

Mike Brest · January 14, 2026 4:03 pm

Protesters gather in front of the Minnesota State Capitol in response to the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn.

Family of Renee Good hires George Floyd attorney one week after ICE shooting

David Zimmermann · January 14, 2026 3:53 pm

President Donald Trump speaks during a tour of the Ford River Rogue complex.

UAW backs Detroit worker whom Trump flipped off

Claire Carter · January 14, 2026 3:52 pm

Elle, 18 months, reaches toward the bread at the bottom of the revised food pyramid while held by her mother Claire Dooley, after an announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., regarding nutrition policy, at Health and Human Services Headquarters, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Community and Family

We flipped the food pyramid. Here’s why

Brian Christine · January 14, 2026 3:44 pm

President Donald Trump dances as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat.

Trump eyes Potomac park as location for National Garden of American Heroes planned for semiquincentennial

Emily Hallas · January 14, 2026 3:44 pm

DOEDOE

Daily on Energy

Daily on Energy: Cost of permitting delays, a critical mineral exec interview, and Trump’s ‘New Interior’

Callie Patteson and Maydeen Merino · January 14, 2026 3:09 pm

President Donald Trump speaks to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat.

Faith, Freedom, and Self-Reliance

How the federal government can actually help housing affordability

Sam Raus · January 14, 2026 2:55 pm

Protesters confront law enforcement agents at the scene of a shooting in Minneapolis.

What’s the matter with Minnesota?

Michael Barone · January 14, 2026 2:44 pm

Demonstrators burn a poster depicting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally in support of anti-government protests in Iran.

Courage, Strength, and Optimism

The US must stand with the Iranian people

David R. Shedd · January 14, 2026 2:44 pm

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at a news conference at Harry Reid International Airport.

House Democrats introduce impeachment articles against Kristi Noem

Rachel Schilke · January 14, 2026 2:41 pm