12:30 Report is The Hill's midday newsletter. Subscribe here.
It’s Tuesday. Enjoy your government being funded today. *nervously laughs into the void*
In today's issue:
• Hegseth declares war on ‘fat’ generals
• Trump tells military leaders to ‘loosen up’
• Congress careens toward shutdown
• Airlines warn of potential flight delays
• Dems lash out at Trump’s AI video
• Taylor Swift’s late-night blitz
What I would give to be able to read these military generals’ minds:
President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were in Quantico, Va., this morning, speaking to top military leaders who were ordered to be there on short notice.
Trump’s 70-minute remarks resembled those from a campaign event, touting his accomplishments and bashing his political rivals, but to an eerily quiet