IN THE HOT SEAT: Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan heads to Capitol Hill this morning to face off with Democrats on a host of contentious issues, from the structure of President Trump’s Space Force to the Pentagon’s plan to use $1 billion from counter-narcotics funds for new border fencing. Shanahan will appear with his wingman Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford before the House Armed Services Committee at 10 a.m.

SPACE FORCE SHOT DOWN: Committee chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., indicated last night that Shanahan’s Space Force plan, as currently crafted, is dead on the launch pad.