The fact that Trump just won’t let it go has alienated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, once considered one of Trump’s closest allies, irked Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) among others in Congress, and started a debate over whether Iran is a “just war.”

VANCE: ‘JESUS DOES NOT SUPPORT GENOCIDE’: At a Turning Point USA forum in Georgia on Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance, a relatively recent convert to Catholicism, argued the Pope is ignoring the theory of when war is morally permissible, a “necessary evil.”

“I like that the Pope is an advocate for peace. It is certainly one of his roles,” Vance said. “On the other hand, how can you say that God is never on the side of those who wield a sword? Was God on the side of Americans who liberated France from the Nazis? Was God on the side of Americans who liberated Holocaust camps? … I certainly think the answer is yes. I agree, Jesus does not support genocide.”

Vance went on to advise the Pope to stay in his lane and avoid politics. “We can have disagreements about whether this or that conflict is just. But I think it is important in the same way it is important for the vice president of the United States, to be careful when I talk about matters of public policy, I think it is important for the Pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology,” Vance said. “When the Pope says that God is never on the side of those who wield the sword, there is a more than 1,000-year tradition of just war theory.”

During a Tax Day news conference on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), a devout Christian, said he was “taken a little bit aback” by the Pope’s suggestion that Jesus doesn’t hear the prayers of those who engage in war. “I’m not one to criticize clerics and religious leaders,” Johnson said. “But obviously, if you wade into political waters, I think you should expect some political response. And I think that the pope’s received some of that.”

CATHOLIC BISHOPS: POPE ‘EXERCISING HIS MINISTRY AS THE VICAR OF CHRIST’: In a statement in support of the Pope, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said the Pontiff’s public calls for peace are well within the church’s teaching about just wars.

“For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory, and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war. A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed,’” said ​​Bishop James Massa, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine. 

“Citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2308,” Massa said. “To be a just war, it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.’”

“When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology; he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ. The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of good will must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars,” the statement concluded.

OPINION: THE POPE, THE PRESIDENT, AND A PRESS THAT’S JUST MAKING IT UP

Good Thursday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com.

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HAPPENING TODAY: THE PUSH FOR MORE TALKS: Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has won President Trump’s confidence, met today in Tehran with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in an attempt to arrange a second round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to end the war, which is about to reach the seven-week mark.

“The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process, and we really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a close,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday. “While there have been many countries around the world who want to offer their help, the president feels it’s important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis.”

In an interview with the New York Post on Tuesday, Trump expressed confidence that Munir would be able to attend another negotiating session in Islamabad as early as this week.

“Something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump said. “It’s more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job.”

US INCREASES ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON IRAN TO GET A DEAL DONE

ALSO TODAY: HEGSETH, CAINE BRIEF AGAIN: Early morning war briefings have become a regular thing at the Pentagon, and this morning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine will answer reporter questions at 8 a.m.

The briefing will be livestreamed on the Pentagon’s website. 

TRUMP IS CONTENT WITH LEAVING NAVAL BLOCKADE IN PLACE UNTIL IRAN SHOWS IT’S SERIOUS ABOUT A DEAL: WHITE HOUSE

THE BATTLE OVER TRUMP’S $1.5 TRILLION DEFENSE BUDGET: Yesterday’s House Budget Committee hearing marked the official start of what is promising to be a spirited and highly partisan debate of President Donald Trump’s $1.5 trillion budget request for the U.S. military.

OMB Director Russell Vought testified at the first of what will be a number of hearings on the record-high 42% increase request for the 2027 fiscal year, which starts in October.

The tone was set early by committee chairman, Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), who said while he was hoping for “honest, constructive comments and good faith debate,” he expected to hear some false narratives and fearmongering conjecture, and even flat-out misrepresentations of the truth.”

“I suspect we’ll be a little more amped up and I’m pretty amped up myself,” Arrington said in his opening statement, calling for committee members to stick to “factual context.” In his next sentence, he launched into a blistering attack on the previous administration. “I don’t know of a president in my lifetime, maybe in history, but in my lifetime that has inherited such a complete and utter mess as President Trump did in January of last year.”

“You know how bad this economy is when we hear Joe Biden being invoked, we hear trans people being invoked. I was waiting for Jimmy Carter to be blamed next,” said Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), the ranking Democrat on the committee.

“I believe in a strong national defense. I believe the United States,” Boyle said. “I believe the world is at its best when the United States is the strongest military, but the idea that we’re going to pay for a 42% increase in this military, in this department of defense, and at the same time cut Medicaid, Medicare, not pay for child care … is a reflection of priorities that are out of whack.”

Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) zeroed in on $350 billion set aside for what she called a “war of choice against Iran,” which she called “a shocking surge in Pentagon spending.”

“We’ve never in the history of this country seen spending like this, paid for by slashing health care, education and housing,” Balint said. “Mr. Vought, yes or no, is $350 billion for the war in Iran lowering costs for Americans?”

“It is certainly not defunding child care. We fully fund child care in this budget,” Vought said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

THE RUNDOWN:

Washington Examiner: US increases economic pressure on Iran to get a deal done

Washington Examiner: Trump is content with leaving naval blockade in place until Iran shows it’s serious about a deal: White House

Washington Examiner: Trump touts meeting between leaders of Israel and Lebanon that ‘will happen tomorrow’

Washington Examiner: Gerald R. Ford becomes longest-deployed US aircraft carrier since Vietnam War

Washington Examiner: Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases in Middle East

Washington Examiner: ​​Trump says China agreed not to send weapons to Iran

Washington Examiner: Golden Dome will be operational by summer 2028

Washington Examiner: Johnson forced to cancel foreign spy powers vote over privacy-hawk opposition

Washington Examiner: Magyar demands Hungarian president step down or else be removed by force

Washington Examiner: Opinion: Trump would be justified to pull US out of NATO. He still shouldn’t do it

The Hill: Hegseth Set to Meet Lawmakers on Pentagon’s $1.5 Trillion Budget Ask

AP: Senate rejects effort to halt arms sales to Israel, but most Democrats vote to block them

New York Times: Done and Dusted? Trump’s Portrayal of the War in Iran Collides With Reality.

Politico: Navy Plays Deadly Game of Hide-and-Seek with Iranian Mines

Wall Street Journal: China’s Economy Starts Year on Strong Footing, but Iran Risks Loom

AP: After criticizing the pope, Trump slams Italy’s Meloni over lack of support for Iran war

Reuters: Israeli Security Cabinet Discusses Possible Lebanon Ceasefire, Senior Official Says

Washington Post: Senate rejects fourth resolution to block further strikes

Washington Post: Trump Says China Has Agreed Not to Send Weapons to Iran

Breaking Defense: Golden Dome Czar Signals Space-Based Interceptors Not Guaranteed, as DOD Weighs Cost

Wall Street Journal: Pentagon Approaches Automakers, Manufacturers to Boost Weapons Production

Defense One: Airbus’ Autonomous Supply-Helicopter Effort May Pave the Way for an Armed Model

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Lays Out Vision For What It Thinks It Needs in 2040

DefenseScoop: DOD Components Face ‘Aggressive’ Timeline for Maven Smart System Transition

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force, Navy Fighters Patrolling for Threats During US Blockade of Iran

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Accepts Upgrade to Deep-Space Telescope on Hawaii

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Graduates Final Class of New A-10 Pilots as Aircraft Retirement Looms

Defense News: US Air Force Debuts Operational AI Wargame System

The War Zone: CH-47 Chinook Air-Launching Swarms of Drones Touted as Future Feature

Air & Space Forces Magazine: USAF Nominates First-Ever Chief Modernization Officer

THE CALENDAR: 

THURSDAY | APRIL 16

8:30 a.m. 37th and O Sts. NW — Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Asian Studies Program conference: “Japan: Contending with Change at Home and Abroad,” with former national security adviser Jake Sullivan https://events.georgetown.edu/event/39482-japan-contending-with-change

10 a.m. 608 Dirksen — Senate Budget Committee hearing: “The President’s FY2027 Budget Proposal,” with testimony from OMB Director Russell Vought http://budget.senate.gov

11 a.m. 390 Cannon — House (Select) Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party Committee hearing: “China’s Campaign to Steal America’s AI Edge.” https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov

3 p.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing: “Military Department Personnel Chiefs: Personnel Posture,” with testimony from Army Lt. Gen. Brian Eifler, deputy chief of staff, G-1; Air Force Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel; Navy Vice Adm. Jeffrey Czerewko, chief of naval personnel; Marine Corps Lt. Gen. William Bowers, deputy commandant manpower and reserve affairs; and Katharine Kelley, Air Force deputy chief of space operations for personnel, http://www.armedservices.house.gov

3:30 p.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee hearing: “Defense Intelligence Enterprise – Challenges, Priorities, and Resourcing for FY2027,” with testimony from Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Bradley Hansell; Gen. Joshua Rudd, director and commander, National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command; Lt. Gen. Michele Bredenkamp, director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and Lt. Gen. James Adams, director, Defense Intelligence Agency http://www.armedservices.house.gov

FRIDAY | APRIL 17

9:30 a.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing: “Budget Hearing – National Guard and Reserves Forces,” with testimony from Lt. Gen. Leonard Anderson, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command; Lt. Gen. John Healy, chief of Air Force Reserve; Rear Adm. Richard Lofgren, acting chief of Navy Reserve; and Gen. Steven Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau http://appropriations.house.gov

10 a.m. — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace virtual discussion: “The U.S. and Israel’s War With Iran: Where Do We Go From Here?” with Suzanna Maloney, vice president and director, Brookings Institution Foreign Policy Program; Danny Citrinowicz, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies Iran and the Shi’ite Axis Program; and Aaron David Miller, senior fellow, CEIP American Statecraft Program https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2026/04/us-and-israels-war-with-iran

10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: “Readiness, Resilience, and Credibility: The ICBM Mission Today,” with Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser, commander, 20th Air Force https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/readiness-resilience-and-credibility

THURSDAY | APRIL 23

9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: “The posture of the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY2027 and the Future Years Defense Program,” with testimony from Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, U.S. Central Command; and Air Force Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander, U.S. Africa Command http://www.armed-services.senate.gov