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Repeat Offender Cuts Ankle Monitor, Goes on 0K Jewelry Crime Spree
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Repeat Offender Cuts Ankle Monitor, Goes on $200K Jewelry Crime Spree

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A Texas man with an extensive criminal history was arrested again this week after police say he cut off a court-ordered ankle monitor and went on a multi-day crime spree across San Antonio, stealing more than $200,000 worth of jewelry from pawn shops and mall stores.

Michael Allen Loving, 38, was taken into custody Tuesday in connection with a series of robberies and thefts targeting jewelry retailers, according to KSAT-TV, which cited the San Antonio Police Department and newly filed court documents.

Investigators allege that Loving employed a “smash and grab” method during the thefts, entering stores during business hours, breaking display cases, and fleeing with high-value jewelry.

“I would say that it’s brazen that he just walks in, in the middle of the day,” said Camelia Juarez, a San Antonio Police Department public information officer, according to KSAT.

“He will just smash the glass, break it and take off with [the jewelry].”

Arrest affidavits related to Loving’s most recent cases outline multiple incidents in October and early November.

According to those documents, Loving allegedly carried out a smash-and-grab theft at a JCPenney store inside North Star Mall in October, followed by another incident at an EZ Pawn shop located on West Woodlawn Avenue earlier this month.

Police said Loving stole more than $37,000 worth of gold chains from the JCPenney location.

At the EZ Pawn shop, investigators allege he made off with more than $45,000 in jewelry.

In both incidents, the affidavits state that Loving specifically asked employees to show him what he referred to as “cubans,” a term commonly used for high-value gold Cuban link chains, which are among the most expensive items in jewelry cases.

After employees presented the items, police said Loving smashed the glass display cases, grabbed the jewelry, and ran from the stores.

According to KSAT, police also allege that Loving threatened employees at the EZ Pawn shop with a firearm during the theft.

“After he threatened those two employees at the EZ Pawn, he went to dozens of other jewelry stores,” Juarez told KSAT.

Police said Loving’s alleged crime spree did not stop there. Juarez told the station that investigators believe Loving went on to steal more than $150,000 in jewelry from another business following the EZ Pawn robbery.

Before the jewelry thefts, Loving had already been arrested in connection with a separate smash-and-grab incident at an H-E-B grocery store on South Zarzamora Street.

According to KSAT, police said Loving struck a person with his vehicle while fleeing that scene.

Officers later located the abandoned vehicle and found Loving completely naked nearby, after he had removed all of his clothing, the station reported.

Despite that arrest, Loving was released from the Bexar County Jail with an ankle monitor, according to police.

Authorities said that just days after his release, Loving cut off the monitoring device and began the string of robberies and thefts that led to his latest arrest.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday morning to Blaze News that Loving is currently back in custody.

Court records show that Loving has been arrested 37 times prior to his most recent charges, according to law enforcement sources cited by KSAT.

Investigators believe the full scope of his alleged criminal activity may not yet be known.

Juarez said detectives suspect Loving may have targeted additional business owners who have not yet come forward or reported losses.

Police are asking any potential victims or business owners who believe they may have been affected to contact the San Antonio Police Department’s Property Crimes Division at 210-207-8326.

Australian Police Ram Vehicle to Stop Suspected Second Terror Plot After Bondi Attack
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Australian Police Ram Vehicle to Stop Suspected Second Terror Plot After Bondi Attack

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Australian authorities reportedly used a police vehicle to ram a car in Liverpool, a suburb of Sydney, in an effort to disrupt what was described as a suspected second violent plot in the country within days, according to multiple reports, as reported by The Daily Caller.

Video and photographs circulating online showed a police Land Cruiser crashed into another vehicle as heavily armed officers escorted several men with zip-tied hands to sit or kneel against a wall.

The incident unfolded as law enforcement agencies responded to intelligence indicating a possible “violent act” was being planned.

According to a statement from New South Wales (NSW) Police, officers from NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) acted on a tip involving a potential threat.

The men inside the vehicle were believed to be traveling toward Bondi Beach, though authorities did not specify the purpose of the trip.

News.com.au reported that five men were arrested following the operation.

NSW Police, however, did not confirm arrests, instead stating that seven men were “assisting police” and that the operation had “concluded.”

Police also said they had not found “any connection” between this incident and the recent deadly attack at Bondi Beach, according to multiple reports.

The police operation came just days after a father-son duo of Pakistani descent carried out a shooting at a beachside Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.

That attack killed at least 15 people and injured more than 40 others. An unarmed civilian intervened during the attack and helped stop the gunfire.

As the Liverpool incident unfolded, Bondi Beach remained under heightened scrutiny.

The development also coincided with the funeral of Matilda, identified as the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach shooting, who was laid to rest elsewhere in Sydney.

Australia has remained on high alert following the Bondi attack.

AFP Commissioner Chrissy Barrett announced that authorities were conducting “further search warrants” and pursuing “ongoing investigations into … hate preachers” as part of efforts to prevent additional violence.

Australia has maintained strict firearm laws since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania.

Under those laws, firearms are restricted to applicants who can demonstrate what authorities define as a “genuine reason,” a legal term that does not include personal protection.

Despite those restrictions, Sajid Akram, who was killed at the scene of the Bondi Beach attack, reportedly possessed a firearms license.

According to the Daily Caller, Akram was not listed on any terror watch lists, despite reported extremist connections involving his son.

Video footage from the Bondi attack appeared to show the use of a shotgun, a firearm category that is specifically prohibited under Australian gun law.

Authorities have not released additional details about the Liverpool incident, including whether charges will be filed or what prompted the initial intelligence tip. Investigations related to both incidents remain ongoing.

Trump Grants Federal Workers Two-Day Christmas Break, Creating Rare Five-Day Holiday
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Trump Grants Federal Workers Two-Day Christmas Break, Creating Rare Five-Day Holiday

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday afternoon, granting most federal employees two additional days off around Christmas, giving many workers a rare five-day holiday break, as reported by Fox News.

Under the order, federal executive departments and agencies will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, and Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.

With Christmas Day falling on Thursday, Dec. 25, and the weekend immediately following, many federal employees will be excused from duty for five consecutive days.

“All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025, the day before and the day following Christmas Day, respectively,” the executive order states.

The move marks one of the more expansive holiday breaks granted to the federal workforce in recent years.

While it has been common for presidents to excuse employees from duty either the day before or the day after Christmas, granting both days has occurred far less frequently.

The order applies to most federal employees, though it includes exceptions for agencies and offices that must remain operational.

According to the executive order, agency heads retain the authority to determine whether certain offices should stay open due to “national security, defense, or other urgent public need.”

The directive also clarifies that Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 are to be treated in the same manner as federal holidays for purposes of pay and leave regulations.

Employees who are required to work on those days due to operational needs will be subject to existing holiday pay rules.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is tasked with implementing the order across the federal workforce.

The Director of OPM is responsible for issuing guidance to agencies to ensure compliance with the executive order and to address any personnel or payroll considerations.

The decision follows a pattern of holiday-related executive actions by past administrations, though the scope of this order stands out.

Last year, former President Joe Biden granted federal employees Christmas Eve off, but did not include the day after Christmas.

During President Trump’s first term, he authorized an extra day off for federal employees on Christmas Eve in 2018, 2019, and 2020. However, those actions did not include both the day before and the day after Christmas.

When Christmas last fell on a Thursday in 2014, former President Barack Obama granted federal workers Friday, Dec. 26, off, while leaving Wednesday, Dec. 24, as a regular workday.

The White House has not released an estimate of how many employees will be affected by the order, though it is expected to apply to the vast majority of the federal civilian workforce.

The executive order takes effect immediately and applies specifically to the 2025 Christmas holiday period.

Violent Chipotle Brawl in Connecticut Caught on Video, Police Investigating
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Violent Chipotle Brawl in Connecticut Caught on Video, Police Investigating

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A violent confrontation between customers and employees at a Chipotle restaurant in Connecticut has prompted a police investigation after video of the incident circulated online over the weekend, as reported by The New York Post.

The altercation occurred Saturday at the Chipotle location on New Britain Avenue in West Hartford, according to WFSB.

Video footage from inside the fast-casual restaurant shows a chaotic brawl involving multiple customers and several Chipotle workers as other patrons watched.

The video appears to begin with a customer standing at the register, throwing an unknown object at a Chipotle employee.

The action immediately escalated into a physical fight that quickly spread behind the counter.

One employee is seen attempting to retaliate by picking up an item from the counter and trying to throw it back at the customer, but that effort is blocked as other workers rush in.

The customer then moves behind the counter, shoving employees out of the way and pushing one worker to the ground.

At the same time, a separate fight breaks out between the customer’s female companion and a female Chipotle employee. The two women are shown trading punches as another employee attempts to intervene and separate them.

The footage also shows an employee grabbing a man from behind in a bear hug in an effort to restrain him. Despite being held, the man appears to land several punches on a Chipotle worker.

Meanwhile, the female customer is seen standing over an employee who has fallen behind the counter, as another worker attempts to step in. The video ends with the two women pulling each other’s hair amid the ongoing struggle.

Authorities have not released details about what initially led to the confrontation. The West Hartford Police Department confirmed that it is investigating the incident, but said no arrests have been made so far.

Chipotle addressed the incident in a statement provided to CT Insider.

“At Chipotle, the health and safety of our employees and our guests is our highest priority,” said Laurie Schalow, the company’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer.

“We have zero tolerance for guests who mistreat our employees and fail to give them the respect they deserve.”

The West Hartford incident follows another widely shared Chipotle brawl that took place in December at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.

In that case, the video showed an angry customer at the Brentwood location confronting employees behind the counter after claiming her order was incorrect.

Footage from the Washington, D.C., incident appeared to show a woman carrying an empty bowl, pushing past employees behind the counter, and filling it with food as workers told her to stop.

When one employee attempted to grab the bowl, the customer pulled it back and slapped him in the face, sending food flying across the workstation.

Neither Chipotle nor police officials have indicated whether charges will be filed in connection with the West Hartford altercation. The investigation remains ongoing.

Trump’s ‘Wall of Fame’ Trolling of Biden, Obama, and Clinton Is Something to Behold
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Trump’s ‘Wall of Fame’ Trolling of Biden, Obama, and Clinton Is Something to Behold

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New plaques placed beneath several presidential portraits at the White House are drawing attention after images surfaced this week showing sharply worded inscriptions evaluating past administrations and praising former President Ronald Reagan.

The plaques, which appear to be installed near the Rose Garden, have been attributed to President Donald Trump and reflect pointed assessments of several Democratic presidents while highlighting conservative accomplishments.

Images of the plaques were first shared online by X user @PenguinSix, a Washington, D.C.-based freelancer and live streamer known for documenting developments around the White House.

The photos show multiple framed presidential portraits accompanied by detailed text panels beneath them.

Observers analyzing the images noted consistent lighting, reflections, and shadows on the frames and glass, indicating the photographs are authentic and not digitally altered.

The plaques follow an earlier White House display involving an autopen associated with Joe Biden, which also drew attention.

The new installations expand on that theme, offering lengthy descriptions of Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan.

The plaque beneath Biden’s portrait contains two sections.

The top portion reads:

“Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President in American History. Taking office as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States, Biden oversaw a series of unprecedented disasters that brought our Nation to the brink of destruction. His Policies caused the highest Inflation ever recorded, leading the U.S. Dollar to lose more than 20% of its value in 4 years. His Green New Scam surrendered American Energy Dominance and, by abolishing the Southern Border, Biden let 21 million people from all over the World pour into the United States, including from prisons, jails, mental institutions, and insane asylums. His Afghanistan Disaster was among the most humiliating events in American History, and resulted in the murder of 13 brave American Servicemembers, with many others gravely wounded. Seeing Biden’s devastating weakness, Russia invaded Ukraine, and Hamas terrorists launched the heinous October 7th attack on Israel.”

The second plaque beneath Biden’s portrait continues:

“Nicknamed both ‘Sleepy’ and ‘Crooked,’ Joe Biden was dominated by his Radical Left handlers. They and their allies in the Fake News Media attempted to cover up his severe mental decline, and his unprecedented use of the Autopen. Following his humiliating debate loss to President Trump in the big June 2024 debate, he was forced to withdraw from his campaign for re-election in disgrace. Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponents, while also persecuting many other innocent people. He left office issuing blanket pardons to Radical Democrat criminals and the guilty as well as members of the Biden Crime Family — But despite it all, President Trump would get Re-Elected in a Landslide, and SAVE AMERICA!”

Nearby, two plaques beneath Barack Obama’s portrait offer a critical overview of his presidency.

The first states:

“Barack Hussein Obama was the first Black President, community organizer, one term Senator from Illinois, and one of the most divisive political figures in American History. As President, he passed the highly ineffective ‘Unaffordable Care’ Act, resulting in his party losing control of both Houses of Congress, and the Election of the largest House Republican majority since 1946. He presided over a stagnant Economy, approved the terrible Iran Nuclear Deal, and signed the one-sided Paris Climate Accords, both of which were later terminated by President Donald J. Trump.”

The second Obama plaque reads:

“Under Obama, the ISIS Caliphate spread across the Middle East, Libya collapsed into chaos, and Russia invaded and took Crimea, in Ukraine. He crippled small businesses with crushing regulation and environmental red tape, devastated American coal miners, and weaponized the IRS and Federal bureaucracies against his political opponents. Obama also spied on the 2016 Presidential Campaign of Donald J. Trump, and presided over the creation of the Russia, Russia, Russia political scandal in American History. His handpicked successor, Hillary Rodham Clinton, would then lose the Presidency to Donald J. Trump.”

A single plaque beneath Bill Clinton’s portrait provides a more mixed assessment, highlighting both legislative actions and economic outcomes:

“Bill Clinton served as Attorney General and Governor of Arkansas before winning the Presidency in what was called a major upset over President George H. W. Bush. As President, Clinton signed crime and welfare legislation, which was passed with the leadership of Republicans in Congress. He approved NAFTA, which President Donald J. Trump would later terminate as being bad for the United States, welcomed China into the World Trade Organization, and oversaw NATO’s Military intervention in Bosnia and Kosovo. Despite the scandals that plagued his Presidency, the tech boom of the late 1990s resulted in excellent Economic growth, which helped him and Republicans in Congress deliver balanced budgets for the first time in decades. In 2016, President Clinton’s wife, Hillary, lost the Presidency to President Donald J. Trump!”

In contrast, the plaque beneath Ronald Reagan’s portrait offers an extended tribute:

“Ronald Reagan won the Cold War and transformed American politics and the Conservative Movement. Before entering the White House, Reagan was a Hollywood actor, President of the Screen Actors Guild, Governor of California and, for decades, a leading voice in American Conservatism. As President, he enacted Tax Cuts, presided over a thriving Economy, and rebuilt the American Military. He survived being shot by an assassin, and confronted the Soviet Union with striking moral clarity, labeling it an ‘evil empire,’ and putting unprecedented pressure on the Communist menace. Known as ‘The Great Communicator,’ he was re-elected in a Landslide in 1984, and left office with high approval, having restored National Confidence, Spirit, and Will. He was a fan of President Donald J. Trump long before President Trump’s Historic run for the White House. Likewise, President Trump was a fan of his!”

Public reaction to the plaques has varied. Some observers praised the displays as candid historical commentary, while others questioned whether such installations are an appropriate use of White House space.

Shocking Details Behind Brown University’s Safety Chief Emerge in Wake of Shooting
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Shocking Details Behind Brown University’s Safety Chief Emerge in Wake of Shooting

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Brown University campus safety chief Rodney Chatman previously lost a senior law enforcement position at the University of Utah after failing to obtain required credentials and amid an investigation into alleged criminal violations, according to university records and public statements.

The University of Utah Department of Public Safety disclosed the circumstances surrounding Chatman’s departure in a December 18, 2020, post, stating that Chatman had been hired on February 17, 2020, without possessing all of the certifications required to hold the position.

The university said Chatman was given one year to obtain those credentials but failed to do so.

The post explained that, despite lacking Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training certification, Chatman was granted full authority to oversee the University of Utah Police Department during his tenure.

“Over the past year despite not yet being Utah POST certified, Rodney had full authority to oversee University of Utah Police as a university department head, including making personnel, strategy and budget decisions,” the statement said.

“This is a common practice for veteran law enforcement leaders coming from outside the state who need to seek certification.”

The statement further revealed that Chatman was placed on leave after university officials learned of an investigation by the Utah State Attorney General’s Office into allegations that Chatman may have violated guidelines that were also described as criminal offenses.

University leadership said those allegations could have adversely affected his ability to obtain or maintain Utah POST certification.

“Prior to placing Rodney on leave earlier this week, I was made aware of an investigation by the Utah State Attorney General’s Office into allegations Rodney may have violated certain guidelines that are also criminal offenses, which could also adversely impact his Utah POST certification,” the statement said.

“This is a serious matter and I have expressed the university’s intent to cooperate fully in the AG’s investigation.”

The statement added that, while the university acknowledged Chatman’s work during his time at Utah, officials concluded they could not overlook the allegations or their potential impact on his certification status.

“While I appreciate the important work Rodney has done on behalf of university safety over the past year, I cannot overlook these allegations and the impact they might have on his ability to maintain an active Utah POST certification,” the statement continued.

“Hence, I made the decision to place Rodney on leave and have asked deputy chief Jason Hinojosa to oversee day-to-day operations of the police until this matter is resolved.”

Less than a year later, Brown University announced that Chatman had been hired into a senior campus safety role.

In a July 20, 2021, release, Brown said Chatman would serve as Vice President of Campus Safety.

The university’s announcement described Chatman as, “An accomplished leader with decades of law enforcement experience in municipal and higher education settings,” and said he would “direct Brown’s Department of Public Safety and oversee campus-wide safety efforts.”

“As we continue to assess and strengthen campus safety practices amid the critical national debate around policing and justice, we are set to welcome a truly accomplished leader who is ideally positioned to guide this work at Brown.” – Brown University President Christina H. Paxson

Christina Paxson talks during a press conference following a mass shooting on Dec. 14, 2025.

Chatman’s past employment history resurfaced this week following a deadly shooting on Brown University’s campus.

Two people were shot and killed Saturday, and nine others were shot and injured.

FOX News host Jesse Watters addressed the situation during his show Wednesday night, raising questions about Chatman’s role and whereabouts during the ongoing search for the suspect.

Watters asked viewers where Chatman had been during the days-long manhunt for the Brown University shooter.

He also referenced comments Chatman previously made about policing.

“Well, we just discovered the Brown University police chief isn’t a big fan of policing. He once said this, ‘Communities don’t want policing done to them,’” Watters said.

Watters then discussed Chatman’s prior tenure at the University of Utah, pointing to the circumstances surrounding his removal from that position.

“He was suspended, because he didn’t have the proper credentials,” Watters said.

The scrutiny comes as Brown University faces questions about campus safety following the shooting, which left multiple victims dead and injured and a suspect still at large.

Marines Overhaul Combat Arms PFT as Sex-Neutral Standards Take Effect
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Marines Overhaul Combat Arms PFT as Sex-Neutral Standards Take Effect

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The Marine Corps is moving to a sex neutral scoring system for the physical fitness test for Marines with combat military occupational specialties, effective January 1, 2026. This change accompanies a broader update to body composition rules that tracks with Defense Department direction.

Under the plan, combat arms Marines will be required to reach a minimum PFT score of 210 points, or 70 percent of a perfect score.

If that standard is not met by the end of the reporting period, Marines face remedial physical training, possible reclassification with a new MOS, or restrictions on promotion. These consequences underscore the seriousness with which readiness is being treated.

“Our combat arms MOSs require rigorous physical readiness for direct ground combat,” Col. James Derrick, director of the Marine Corps Training and Education Command, said in a release. “These changes ensure all combat arms Marines meet the same high sex-neutral standards.”

The words repeat a clear expectation: every member who serves in the most demanding roles must be measured against equal, objective criteria.

The service is also shifting away from the old height and weight tape test toward a waist-to-height ratio method. That adjustment will be phased in over time, with specific body composition standards to be published once the defense secretary provides further guidance.

The move aims to produce a clearer, results oriented approach to fitness that aligns with modern health expectations.

Non-combat arms Marines will continue to be tested under the current sex- and age-normed standards. In contrast, all combat Marines, regardless of sex, will be governed by male, age-normed guidelines.

The distinction reinforces the emphasis on direct ground combat readiness, even as the service remains attentive to evolving personnel policies.

The changes come in the wake of a Sept. 30 memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which stressed a renewed emphasis on physical readiness. The policy shift is designed to ensure every service member meets the physical demands of combat and leads by example.

“to ensure every service member meets the physical demands of combat and leads by example,” the memo states in part, as reported in the Marine administrative release.

Speaking to hundreds of senior military officials at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Hegseth underscored the connection between fitness and battlefield effectiveness.

He made a point that resonates with conservative leaders who want to see clear, enforceable standards across the services. He also argued that combat effectiveness “all starts with physical fitness and appearance.”

The timing for the broader implementation is deliberate. Manpower information system upgrades will be phased in over six to eight months, with the full installation expected within a year.

This staged approach is meant to minimize disruption while establishing the new norms across units that train for high-intensity operations.

Supporters of the policy argue that it preserves rigorous standards without bias and that it strengthens readiness by insisting on accountability at every rank. They contend that a universal measure across combat arms provides a fair, objective baseline.

In a period of rising global tension and shifting threats, the emphasis on physical capability is presented as a necessary foundation for deterrence and decisive action.

Critics may worry about the pace of change or potential unintended consequences for particular communities. Yet the leadership insists that the goal is not to penalize individuals but to elevate the entire force.

By establishing clear expectations, the Marines aim to produce formations that can sustain demanding operations and project strength when it matters most.

In this moment, the policy aligns with a broader national posture that prizes leadership by example and readiness. The administration’s approach is to insist that those who stand on the line of duty must meet uncompromising standards of fitness.

The United States has long demanded peak performance from its servicemen and servicewomen, and these updates reflect that insistence in a modern framework.

Ultimately, the changes are designed to ensure that Marines who operate in the most dangerous environments can rely on a common standard. They reflect a disciplined effort to synchronize physical readiness with operational readiness.

The result, supporters say, will be a more capable and confident force prepared to meet any challenge.

Bongino Clapped Back Hard at MSNBC Right Before Announcing FBI Departure
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Bongino Clapped Back Hard at MSNBC Right Before Announcing FBI Departure

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Federal Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed Wednesday that he will step down from his position in January, an announcement that came hours after a public exchange with MSNBC reporter Carol Leonnig and comments from President Donald Trump suggesting Bongino would likely return to media work.

Leonnig disclosed the interaction earlier in the day in a post on X, saying she contacted Bongino to ask whether reports about his planned departure were accurate.

According to Leonnig, Bongino responded dismissively before making his departure official later that evening.

“12:55 pm – Bongino to @MSNOWNews when I asked him for comment on story saying he was leaving his position in January. ‘Print whatever you’d like. No one believes you anyway.’ 5:16 pm – Bongino on X: ‘I will be leaving my position in January,’” Leonnig wrote.

Bongino later confirmed publicly that he would be leaving the FBI in January.

In his announcement, he expressed appreciation to President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve in federal law enforcement leadership.

The confirmation followed comments made earlier in the day by President Trump, who told reporters that Bongino was expected to leave the FBI and return to his broadcasting career.

“Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show,” Trump said.

Bongino’s tenure at the FBI followed a lengthy career in law enforcement and media.

He served as a New York Police Department officer from 1995 to 1999 before joining the U.S. Secret Service, where he worked from 1999 to 2011.

After leaving government service, Bongino became a prominent conservative media figure, hosting the Fox News weekend program “Unfiltered with Dan Bongino” and later building a large national audience through his podcast, “The Dan Bongino Show.”

Following Bongino’s announcement, FBI Director Kash Patel issued a statement on X praising Bongino’s work at the bureau and crediting him with internal reforms and investigative progress.

“Dan is the best partner I could’ve asked for in helping restore this FBI. He brought critical reforms to make the organization more efficient, led the successful Summer Heat op, served as the people’s voice for transparency, and delivered major breakthroughs in long unsolved cases like the pipe bomb investigation. And that’s only a small part of the work he went about every single day delivering for America,” Patel said.

Patel added that Bongino exceeded expectations during his time as deputy director and said the country benefited from his service.

“He not only completed his mission – he far exceeded it. We will miss him but I’m thankful he accepted the call to serve. Our country is better and safer for it,” Patel said.

Navy Launches First Suicide Drone from Warship at Sea
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Navy Launches First Suicide Drone from Warship at Sea

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From the deck of the USS Santa Barbara, a bold new capability emerged as the Navy launched a one way attack drone, marking the first time a suicide drone was deployed from a U.S. vessel at sea.

The mission signals a decisive shift in how America will project power from the water, using speed, affordability, and adaptive technology to meet evolving threats abroad.

The drone used in this mission is the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, known as LUCAS. It draws its basic design from a captured Iranian Shahed drone and is manufactured by SpektreWorks.

The launch took place from the flight deck of the USS Santa Barbara, an Independence class littoral combat ship now operating in the Arabian Gulf.

This region has long been a proving ground for new ideas in maritime combat, and today’s test stands as a clear demonstration of what American ingenuity can achieve when the nation is resolved.

The operation was carried out by Task Force 59 of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. Fifth Fleet, the maritime component of U.S. Central Command. This task force is the Navy’s first unit dedicated to autonomous operations, a bold step toward a modernizing force that can respond at speed and with precision in contested environments.

“This first successful launch of LUCAS from a naval vessel marks a significant milestone in rapidly delivering affordable and effective unmanned capabilities to the warfighter. This achievement demonstrates the power of innovation and joint collaboration in this critical region,” Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander of NAVCENT/C5F, said in a release.

The mission was part of the newly formed Task Force Scorpion Strike, established by CENTCOM to leverage unmanned systems for deterrence and regional security.

Led by U.S. Special Operations Command personnel, the task force is equipped with a squadron of LUCAS drones and aims to deter adversaries from its position in the Middle East, a region where strategic advantage increasingly hinges on quicker, smarter, and cheaper tools.

LUCAS drones are designed to be launched from a variety of platforms including catapults and can easily deploy in swarms over long ranges. The platform is built for simplicity and resilience, enabling units to field decisive firepower without risking high value assets.

This portability ensures that ships, aircraft, or ground launch sites can support operations as needed.

“This platform will undoubtedly enhance regional maritime security and deterrence,” said Renshaw in the same release. The words underscore a broader logic: deterrence today means not just expensive platforms, but a disciplined mix of affordable, scalable systems that can be deployed quickly to shape the battlespace.

From a strategic perspective, the test aligns with a national emphasis on maintaining a competitive edge through rapid acquisition and deployment. It shows that the United States is willing to use smaller, agile tools to complicate an adversary’s calculus and reduce the risk to American sailors.

Supporters of a stronger defense posture, including those who back President Trump, argue that turning ideas into deployable force multipliers matters most when confrontations loom in volatile regions.

They contend that speed to field and the ability to swarm an opponent with low cost, high impact assets is essential for deterrence and battlefield flexibility.

In this hypothetical framework, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth would likely emphasize aggressive modernization and a willingness to test unconventional approaches.

He would stress that securing national interests requires a confident, forward leaning defense that is prepared to outpace adversaries with innovative weapons and rapid integration into existing naval and joint operations.

The broader takeaway is clear. Small, affordable drones can complement larger platforms, extending reach and tempo while preserving the safety of sailors. This approach not only stretches the reach of American power but also multiplies the options available to commanders in dynamic environments.

At the same time, the test reinforces a key national security principle: deterrence is strengthened when options are diverse and executable under tight timelines.

By combining a proven design with practical launch methods, the United States signals that it will meet challenges with preparedness, not hesitation.

The results from this mission suggest a path forward that centers on speed, resilience, and a willingness to push frontier technologies into active service.

In sum, the LUCAS launch demonstrates that the United States can blend innovation with resolve to keep the seas secure. It is a testament to a strategy that blends affordability with effectiveness, ensuring that deterrence remains credible in a complex and changing maritime landscape.

The message to adversaries is unmistakable: America can respond decisively, deploy rapidly, and prevail.

Jewish Man Stabbed Near His Heart Speaks Out After Brooklyn Antisemitic Attack
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Jewish Man Stabbed Near His Heart Speaks Out After Brooklyn Antisemitic Attack

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A Jewish New Yorker described how he was stabbed just centimeters from his heart during an antisemitic attack on a Brooklyn street, an incident that police are investigating as a hate crime and that occurred during the Hanukkah holiday.

Elias Rosner, 35, a member of the Lubavitch Hasidic community in Crown Heights, said the attack unfolded Tuesday afternoon after he left a temple and encountered a man shouting antisemitic threats.

In an interview with The Post on Wednesday, Rosner said the suspect made explicit statements before launching the attack.

“I’m going to kill a Jew today,” the man said, according to Rosner.

Rosner said he first noticed the suspect while standing in a crowd of Jewish people.

“I was waiting in a crowd of Jewish people and this guy started spouting stuff,” Rosner recalled.

According to Rosner, the man continued making violent statements.

“I’m going to kill Jewish people, I’m going to kill a Jew today, I don’t give a f**k … We wouldn’t be in this mess if the Holocaust had happened,” the man said, as recalled by Rosner.

Rosner said the man appeared serious and that he chose not to look away.

“I guess I was the one guy that had the bravery to look him in the eye,” he said.

Rosner said the suspect appeared to anticipate a confrontation.

“So, he was waiting. He set a trap up for me a block ahead. He came around the corner and it just started happening,” Rosner said.

The stabbing occurred around 4 p.m. at the corner of Kingston Avenue and Lincoln Place, according to police. Rosner was stabbed once in the chest.

The NYPD said the attack is being investigated as an antisemitic hate crime. The incident took place on the third night of Hanukkah.

Rosner said he narrowly escaped with his life and credited his clothing with preventing a fatal injury.

He said a sweater helped stop the blade before it reached his heart.

Rosner works at a pop-up Hanukkah donut shop on Kingston Avenue and said he has training in martial arts.

He said that training influenced how he reacted when confronted with the knife.

“So, he brandishes his knife … I’ve been standing all day, and between fight, freeze and flight. I really only had to choose between freeze and fight, and I chose to fight,” Rosner said.

“I believe in standing up to bullies,” he said.

“I knew it was on. I luckily had taken off my sweater to use as a sarong to catch the blade. I could just tell he wasn’t going to be doing anything fancy…”

“I was able to catch most of the force of the blade with the sweater and that’s basically what saved my life,” Rosner said.

Rosner suffered a deep gash near his heart but was able to walk away without serious injury.

He was treated at Kings County Hospital and later released.

As of Wednesday, the attacker had fled the scene and remained at large.

The NYPD released surveillance footage of the attack and images of the suspect.

Police described the suspect as wearing blue jeans and a black varsity jacket with the word “Genuine” on the back and the number “91” on the sleeve.

Rosner said he believes the attack reflects a broader increase in antisemitic sentiment following Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which he said has affected neighborhoods throughout New York City, including college campuses and the subway system.

In recent weeks, the city’s Jewish population, the largest in the world outside of Israel, has experienced multiple antisemitic incidents, including physical assaults, verbal harassment, and vandalism.

“It used to be when I was a kid we’d come out from a party late at night, and the worst thing we had to worry about was, ‘stop and frisk,’” Rosner said.

“Nowadays, it’s a lot tougher, but my motto is, ‘If you stay ready, you ain’t got to be ready.’”

Despite heightened concern, NYPD data show that anti-Jewish hate crimes were down 9% this year through Monday compared to the same period in 2024.

Police statistics show that 305 of the 550 total hate crimes reported this year targeted Jewish residents or property.

In 2024, police reported 646 bias incidents, 334 of which were classified as antisemitic.

Rosner said he believes confronting hatred remains necessary.

“Here in America, everybody has a right to live free of oppression,” he said, “and we also have to stand up to bullies who are trying to take that away from people.”


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