Jim LaPorta
@jimlaporta.bsky.social
National Security Editor at CBS News | Marine infantryman + Afghanistan veteran
Army Sgt. Michael Verardo is being laid to rest today at @ArlingtonNatl - he experienced two separate IED attacks in Afghanistan. Despite amputations, burns, and 120 surgeries, he survived. Verardo died on Aug. 26, 2025. He’s survived by his wife and their three young daughters.
November 19, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Army Sgt. Michael Verardo is being laid to rest today at @ArlingtonNatl - he experienced two separate IED attacks in Afghanistan. Despite amputations, burns, and 120 surgeries, he survived. Verardo died on Aug. 26, 2025. He’s survived by his wife and their three young daughters.
I know this is random but I’m watching an old interview with former Defense Secretary James Mattis and they show a photo of him when he was younger. Why do I only see Tim Robinson?
November 19, 2025 at 2:33 AM
I know this is random but I’m watching an old interview with former Defense Secretary James Mattis and they show a photo of him when he was younger. Why do I only see Tim Robinson?
Happy 250th birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps. 🎂🖍️
November 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Happy 250th birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps. 🎂🖍️
Just outside the Marine Corps ball I’m attending this evening—the birthplace of the Eighth Air Force.
November 7, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Just outside the Marine Corps ball I’m attending this evening—the birthplace of the Eighth Air Force.
New strike in East Pacific
November 5, 2025 at 12:46 AM
New strike in East Pacific
My Halloween costume has not changed in years.
October 31, 2025 at 9:20 PM
My Halloween costume has not changed in years.
"The guarding of military and diplomatic secrets at the expense of informed representative government provides no real security for our Republic." — Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in NYT Co. v. US. "The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government..."
October 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"The guarding of military and diplomatic secrets at the expense of informed representative government provides no real security for our Republic." — Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in NYT Co. v. US. "The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government..."
Today, I watched my friend, Marine Sgt. Matthew Moores (ret.), receive his Purple Heart for wounds received in action on September 8, 2013 in Afghanistan. Afterwards, he laid a wreath on Gen. George Washington’s tomb. His citation is signed by Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith.
October 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Today, I watched my friend, Marine Sgt. Matthew Moores (ret.), receive his Purple Heart for wounds received in action on September 8, 2013 in Afghanistan. Afterwards, he laid a wreath on Gen. George Washington’s tomb. His citation is signed by Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith.
“War-ravaged Portland” sounds like the name of a new underground Indie band. But also, when I hear the term “war-ravaged” I tend to think of Aleppo during the Syrian civil war or Mariupol in the war in Ukraine. Does the White House truly believe Portland is equivalent to those locations?
October 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
“War-ravaged Portland” sounds like the name of a new underground Indie band. But also, when I hear the term “war-ravaged” I tend to think of Aleppo during the Syrian civil war or Mariupol in the war in Ukraine. Does the White House truly believe Portland is equivalent to those locations?
A day after my son's 10th birthday, today we had to say goodbye to Ellie (AKA Eleanor, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ellie Furtado) We first met in 2011 when I was still in the Marines—she a pup. She was a comfort for me when my dad died 2 hours after my son was born. She was his first dog
September 30, 2025 at 10:21 PM
A day after my son's 10th birthday, today we had to say goodbye to Ellie (AKA Eleanor, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ellie Furtado) We first met in 2011 when I was still in the Marines—she a pup. She was a comfort for me when my dad died 2 hours after my son was born. She was his first dog
From the story Ellee Watson and I wrote yesterday. We found an interesting case involving a service member and Article 134. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces found that a soldier expressing white supremacist views did not violate Art. 134. www.cbsnews.com/news/pentago...
September 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
From the story Ellee Watson and I wrote yesterday. We found an interesting case involving a service member and Article 134. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces found that a soldier expressing white supremacist views did not violate Art. 134. www.cbsnews.com/news/pentago...
I deleted these two posts related to the lockdown at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. There is no active shooter and the base is no longer in lockdown. Purpose of deletion: to stop spread of initial post which did not include the updates.
bsky.app/profile/jiml...
bsky.app/profile/jiml...
September 12, 2025 at 4:43 AM
I deleted these two posts related to the lockdown at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. There is no active shooter and the base is no longer in lockdown. Purpose of deletion: to stop spread of initial post which did not include the updates.
bsky.app/profile/jiml...
bsky.app/profile/jiml...
Update to the lockdown at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. @CBSNews obtained the “ALL CLEAR” message that went out moments ago. It also says Security Forces have an ongoing investigation but the base is no longer in lockdown and there is NO active shooter.
September 12, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Update to the lockdown at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. @CBSNews obtained the “ALL CLEAR” message that went out moments ago. It also says Security Forces have an ongoing investigation but the base is no longer in lockdown and there is NO active shooter.
Update to the lockdown at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. CBS News obtained the “ALL CLEAR” message that went out moments ago. It also says Security Forces have an ongoing investigation but the base is no longer in lockdown and there is NO active shooter. bsky.app/profile/jiml...
September 12, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Update to the lockdown at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. CBS News obtained the “ALL CLEAR” message that went out moments ago. It also says Security Forces have an ongoing investigation but the base is no longer in lockdown and there is NO active shooter. bsky.app/profile/jiml...
When George Wallace was shot in 1972, Ronald Reagan reacted in part by saying: “if something is to be done about this kind of tragedy for anyone, isn’t it necessary that all of us review our own attitude and say yes it is possible for men and women of good will to differ.”
September 12, 2025 at 2:23 AM
When George Wallace was shot in 1972, Ronald Reagan reacted in part by saying: “if something is to be done about this kind of tragedy for anyone, isn’t it necessary that all of us review our own attitude and say yes it is possible for men and women of good will to differ.”
President Trump announced on Truth Social that Charlie Kirk is dead. Independently, five sources have confirmed to my colleagues here at CBS News that Kirk has died. He was 31.
September 10, 2025 at 8:48 PM
President Trump announced on Truth Social that Charlie Kirk is dead. Independently, five sources have confirmed to my colleagues here at CBS News that Kirk has died. He was 31.
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. I unfortunately have had 9 friends and colleagues take their own life. These photos are just a few of them. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to get 24/7, confidential crisis support.
September 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. I unfortunately have had 9 friends and colleagues take their own life. These photos are just a few of them. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to get 24/7, confidential crisis support.
The Defense Department confirmed my CBS News scoop Thursday evening in a post on X. bsky.app/profile/jiml...
September 5, 2025 at 1:38 AM
The Defense Department confirmed my CBS News scoop Thursday evening in a post on X. bsky.app/profile/jiml...
LCpl Rylee McCollum
LCpl Jared Schmitz
LCpl David Espinoza
LCpl Kareem Nikoui
LCpl Dylan Merola
HM3 Maxton Soviak
Cpl Hunter Lopez
Cpl Daegan Page
Cpl Humberto Sanchez
Sgt Nicole Gee
Sgt Johanny RosarioPichardo
SSgt Taylor Hoover
SSG Ryan Knauss
LCpl Jared Schmitz
LCpl David Espinoza
LCpl Kareem Nikoui
LCpl Dylan Merola
HM3 Maxton Soviak
Cpl Hunter Lopez
Cpl Daegan Page
Cpl Humberto Sanchez
Sgt Nicole Gee
Sgt Johanny RosarioPichardo
SSgt Taylor Hoover
SSG Ryan Knauss
August 26, 2025 at 3:38 PM
LCpl Rylee McCollum
LCpl Jared Schmitz
LCpl David Espinoza
LCpl Kareem Nikoui
LCpl Dylan Merola
HM3 Maxton Soviak
Cpl Hunter Lopez
Cpl Daegan Page
Cpl Humberto Sanchez
Sgt Nicole Gee
Sgt Johanny RosarioPichardo
SSgt Taylor Hoover
SSG Ryan Knauss
LCpl Jared Schmitz
LCpl David Espinoza
LCpl Kareem Nikoui
LCpl Dylan Merola
HM3 Maxton Soviak
Cpl Hunter Lopez
Cpl Daegan Page
Cpl Humberto Sanchez
Sgt Nicole Gee
Sgt Johanny RosarioPichardo
SSgt Taylor Hoover
SSG Ryan Knauss
Via Charlie D'Agata of CBS News - F/A-18E crash, pilot rescued.
August 20, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Via Charlie D'Agata of CBS News - F/A-18E crash, pilot rescued.
4 years ago today.
August 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
4 years ago today.
Thinking about Jim today
August 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Thinking about Jim today
Long day. 0600 to 22:00. Working on a few stories. Some follow-ups and several exclusives that have been in the works.
August 14, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Long day. 0600 to 22:00. Working on a few stories. Some follow-ups and several exclusives that have been in the works.