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Ex-Officer Accused of Giving Homeless Man Poop Sandwich Lands Top Job [WATCH]
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Ex-Officer Accused of Giving Homeless Man Poop Sandwich Lands Top Job [WATCH]

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A former San Antonio police officer whose career became the subject of national attention nearly a decade ago has been appointed police chief in a small South Texas community, as reported by The New Post.

Matthew Luckhurst officially assumed his new role as police chief of Benavides on June 1 after city leaders voted to promote him during an April 30 city council meeting.

The appointment comes years after Luckhurst was fired from the San Antonio Police Department following allegations that he left a sandwich containing dog feces for a homeless man.

The incident generated widespread media attention and ultimately led to multiple disciplinary actions during his law enforcement career.

According to city records cited by the San Antonio Current, Luckhurst will earn $28 per hour as police chief in the town of roughly 1,100 residents located about 150 miles south of San Antonio.

Benavides officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the appointment.

The controversy surrounding Luckhurst dates back to 2016, when another officer accused him of placing dog feces between slices of bread inside a Styrofoam container and leaving it near a sleeping homeless man.

Reports indicated that the homeless man never consumed the sandwich.

Luckhurst denied wrongdoing from the beginning. He maintained that the sandwich was intended to be discarded and not eaten by anyone.

The same year, Luckhurst faced another controversy when he was accused of defecating in a women’s restroom at the San Antonio Police Department and smearing a “brown substance” on a toilet seat.

According to reports, he did not deny involvement in that incident.

At the time, Luckhurst had been with the San Antonio Police Department for approximately five years.

His dismissal from the department led to a lengthy legal battle. In 2019, Luckhurst successfully appealed his firing and briefly returned to duty. However, the matter was not settled permanently.

A judge later reviewed the case and upheld his dismissal in 2020, ending his return to the San Antonio force.

Despite that setback, Luckhurst continued working in law enforcement.

In February 2022, he joined the police department in Floresville, another South Texas community. His tenure there lasted approximately 10 months before he was dismissed after renewed attention focused on his prior disciplinary history.

The next chapter of his law enforcement career began in 2023 when then-Benavides Police Chief Andrew Hines hired him as a police officer.

At the time, Hines defended the decision and said the hiring “reflects the department’s commitment to honesty and accountability.”

Three years later, city officials elevated Luckhurst to the department’s top position.

The promotion places him in charge of policing operations for the small South Texas town despite the controversies that marked much of his previous law enforcement career.

Luckhurst’s appointment has drawn renewed attention to the events that led to his firing from San Antonio and subsequent dismissal from Floresville.

Supporters have pointed to his continued service in law enforcement since those incidents, while critics have questioned whether his disciplinary history should have prevented further advancement.

As of June 1, however, Luckhurst officially became the police chief of Benavides following the city council’s vote and began overseeing the department’s operations.

Simplify Chaos: New Bill Seeks to Fix Guard and Reserve Pay Confusion
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Simplify Chaos: New Bill Seeks to Fix Guard and Reserve Pay Confusion

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For decades, America’s National Guard and Reserve troops have been buried under a mountain of bureaucratic nonsense when it comes to their orders, pay, and benefits.

Now, Congress is trying to untangle that mess with a new piece of legislation called the Duty Status Reform Act.

The mission is simple: cut through the endless red tape that’s been shortchanging those who serve both state and country.

The current system is a hodgepodge of over 30 duty statuses, ranging from Title 10 to Title 32 and State Active Duty designations.

The result is confusion, uneven benefits, and in some cases, outright unfairness.

The type of duty order you’re on determines what pay, housing allowance, health care, and retirement points you get — and the inconsistencies have frustrated troops for years.

Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, one of the bill’s Republican champions, said the reform would “simplify the structure and strengthen the Guard’s ability to carry out its missions by standardizing pay and benefits.”

Senator Moran’s statement cuts right to the heart of the issue: the Guard’s role has evolved, but Washington’s outdated paperwork hasn’t kept up.

Guardsmen Honored for Their Heroic Stand Against DC Gunman
Two guardsman deployed to Washington, D.C., were awarded the Soldier’s Medal and Airman’s Medal for their response to a shooting that killed a fellow West Virginia guardsman. National Guard photo by Master Sgt. William Blankenship.

President Donald Trump brought much-needed attention to this issue when he spoke out in Memphis last March, noting that Guardsmen deployed to American cities should receive deployment pay and benefits like any active-duty soldier.

His remarks spotlighted the very real inequities built into the current system — inequities that this reform seeks to erase.

Julian Plamann, deputy director of government affairs at the National Guard Association of the United States, put it bluntly: “If you’re a Guardsman and you’re on orders for less than 30 days, you do not receive health care or housing benefits.” That’s the catch.

The difference between a 29-day order and a 31-day order can mean the difference between having coverage or not — a ridiculous game of bureaucratic limbo that punishes those who serve.

Plamann called the reform long overdue but admitted the challenge is huge. Reforming the duty status system means rewriting hundreds of policies across war department regulations, joint travel rules, and federal pay codes.

National Guard’s DC Presence Slammed by Critics as ‘Ineffective’ Despite Visible Results

“The can of worms that this is, is so massive it really has stagnated progress,” she said. But it’s exactly the type of problem determined lawmakers and leaders should tackle head-on.

The RAND Corporation released a report in August 2025 that confirmed what every Guardsman already knew — the current system causes confusion for both commanders and troops.

RAND found that some units hesitate to activate their personnel because of pay, benefits, and administrative headaches. That doesn’t just waste time; it undercuts readiness.

One blatant example of the system’s absurdity played out during the 2020 COVID-19 response in New York. Navy reservists deployed on the hospital ship USNS Comfort were under Title 10 orders, which came with full benefits.

But Army National Guard troops working at the nearby Javits Center were under Title 32 orders, meaning their pay and benefits were completely different — even though they were doing the same mission.

Matt Schwartzman, policy director for the Reserve Organization of America, explained another major problem: “The system rewards how orders are written over the duty actually performed.”

Troops can work nearly full-time under a mix of short-term orders and still lack consistent health coverage or housing support. That reality is unacceptable in a nation that claims to support its service members.

The impact doesn’t stop with the troops themselves. Military families have also been caught in the crossfire of bureaucratic rules.

Trump Sends National Guard to New Orleans as He Backs Swamp Sweep Immigration Crackdown
Army National Guardsmen patrol a walkway in Washington, Nov. 21, 2025. About 2,400 guardsmen are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force mission, helping law enforcement and community partners strengthen public safety, resilience and quality of life in the nation’s capital.

After a tragic 2015 helicopter crash in the Gulf of Mexico that killed four Guard members and seven Marines, it was revealed that the Guard families received less in survivor payments simply because their loved ones were on “inactive duty training.”

Congress tried to fix that inequity in the 2017 annual war bill, but other loopholes remain.

The new bill proposes cutting more than two dozen statuses down to four broad categories that clearly define who qualifies for what. These categories would cover everything from war and national emergency response to state-level disaster deployments, training, and even remote cyber operations.

It’s modernization the Guard desperately needs as cyber and remote missions become more frequent.

Major Plamann, who also serves as a Maryland National Guard company commander, said the change would bring much-needed clarity for modern Guard units that do remote or tech-driven work.

“There’s so much that we do in between drills,” she said. “This will be nice to actually have something to point to in a structure that allows us to get some sort of compensation for that.”

Supporters believe that passing this bill isn’t just about simplifying paperwork — it’s about fairness, respect, and finally giving Guardsmen and reservists what they’ve earned.

The Department of War exists to support our troops in every aspect, and this legislative cleanup could finally bring that principle to life.

If Congress follows through, the Duty Status Reform Act could be the long-overdue victory America’s part-time warriors have been waiting for.

Our troops deserve consistency, not confusion. The message is clear: if you serve this country, your benefits shouldn’t depend on what line of text appears at the top of your orders.

Boy, 3, Critically Injured After Being Thrown Into Crocodile Pit as Police Arrest Suspect [WATCH]
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Boy, 3, Critically Injured After Being Thrown Into Crocodile Pit as Police Arrest Suspect [WATCH]

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A 3-year-old boy was hospitalized in critical but stable condition on Thursday after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire, England, according to local authorities, as reported by The New York Post.

Police arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst, a popular zoo that features a reptile attraction known as the Tropical House.

Authorities said the suspect, who is from Norfolk, was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Investigators do not believe the man knew the child prior to the encounter.

The incident occurred on Thursday at the zoo in Old Hurst, a village located in Cambridgeshire. Emergency responders transported the boy to a hospital, where he was reported to be in critical but stable condition.

Police have not publicly identified either the child or the suspect, and officials said the circumstances leading up to the incident remain under investigation.

Detective Inspector Verity McCann said investigators are working to gather information from witnesses who were present at the zoo.

“At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances,” McCann told The Sun.

“We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other,” McCann said.

Authorities have not released additional details regarding how the boy ended up inside the enclosure or what may have motivated the suspect.

The investigation quickly drew attention from local officials, including Ben Obese-Jecty, whose parliamentary district includes Old Hurst.

In a statement, Obese-Jecty urged the public to avoid speculation while investigators continue their work.

“This is now a live criminal investigation, and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online,” he said.

“The police will provide an update with further information in due course. My thoughts are with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time,” said Obese-Jecty.

Police have not indicated when additional information may be released or whether further charges could be filed as the investigation progresses.

The zoo, which opened its reptile section in 2019, has become known for interactive exhibits and specialty experiences involving reptiles. One of its featured attractions is a crocodile feeding experience that costs approximately $100.

Following Thursday’s incident, zoo officials announced the temporary closure of the Tropical House facility.

In a statement posted to Instagram, the zoo expressed support for the child and his family.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today,” the Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo said.

The zoo also announced that the Tropical House area would remain closed until further notice.

The incident has prompted a major police response as investigators continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence from the scene.

As of Thursday evening, authorities had not released the suspect’s identity, and the criminal investigation remained active.

Officials have urged members of the public to allow investigators to complete their work before drawing conclusions about what occurred.

Air Force Identifies Eight Heroes Lost in Deadly B-52 Crash at Edwards Base
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Air Force Identifies Eight Heroes Lost in Deadly B-52 Crash at Edwards Base

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The U.S. Air Force has officially released the names of the eight crew members who were killed when a B-52 Stratofortress went down shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Air Force community and across the wider military family.

According to base officials, the crew consisted of five active-duty Air Force service members and three civilians working in concert during a routine training mission.

The bomber, a workhorse of the U.S. strategic fleet for decades, crashed around 11:20 a.m. Pacific time on June 15. Emergency crews responded quickly, but the devastation was total.

Col. Thomas Tauer, commander of the 412th Test Wing, issued a somber statement honoring the fallen, saying, “These airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family.”

He emphasized the base’s immediate focus was to support the families of those lost and ensure every resource was made available to help them through this unimaginable loss.

Among those killed were Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center; Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, of the 419th Flight Test Squadron; Maj. Robert Dee, 40, and Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, both pilots from the 419th Flight Test Squadron; Col. Greg Watson, 53, a Boeing employee and Air Force reservist; retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, also a Boeing employee; Jeromy Smith, 32, a flight test engineer; and Christopher Rischar, 41, a contractor with JT4.

Each man represented the very best of the Air Force’s tradition of courage, precision, and dedication. They served in an unforgiving profession where technical excellence meets split-second decision-making, all in the defense of America’s skies.

Two Boeing Employees Were Among the Eight Killed in Fiery B-52 Crash at Edwards Air Force Base

The nation is reminded that these warriors risk their lives not only in combat, but also in the essential testing, evaluation, and advancement of the aircraft that keep our warfighters dominant.

The Air Force stated that the cause of the crash remains under investigation, with the airfield at Edwards still closed while recovery and analysis operations are underway.

The crash occurred during a “routine training flight,” the sort that has been conducted countless times at the storied desert base—a test and training ground for the most advanced aircraft on Earth.

This tragedy marks the deadliest B-52 incident since 1982, when nine airmen lost their lives during a simulated combat flight near Mather Air Force Base.

The loss serves as a grim reminder that even during training, service to this nation demands ultimate sacrifice. Every takeoff in service of readiness carries inherent risk, but that risk is accepted with courage few outside the uniformed world can truly grasp.

Recent months have been marked by an unsettling uptick in aviation mishaps across the armed forces.

Eight Tragically Killed in Fiery B-52 Crash at Edwards Air Force Base
A B-52H Stratofortress from Edwards Air Force Base, California, departs for an evening test mission on Aug. 7, 2025. Air Force photo by Todd Schannuth.

Just within the past five weeks, a midair collision between two Navy EA-18G Growlers and a separate fatal crash of a Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet near Mount Rainier have reminded the nation of the razor’s edge our aviators walk.

Each tragedy underscores the urgent need for vigilance, maintenance focus, and renewed commitment to supporting our military test programs without political interference or budget chokeholds from Washington bureaucrats.

Test flight operations remain a vital part of America’s readiness posture. The mission at Edwards Air Force Base, located in California’s Mojave Desert, is the backbone of innovation and experimentation for U.S. air power.

Every new weapons system, aircraft upgrade, and flight maneuver must be proven and perfected before reaching the front lines. That process is risky by nature, but it ensures American dominance in every theater of war.

While some in the media focus on headlines or bureaucratic blame games, those who understand military aviation know that every airman on that B-52 took off that morning in the proud tradition of American service.

They were fearless professionals—doing their part to keep this country strong and battle-ready.

Eight Tragically Killed in Fiery B-52 Crash at Edwards Air Force Base
Smoke rises from a blackened part of Edwards Air Force Base after the crash of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber aircraft on June 15, 2026, in a still image from news helicopter video. (KABC via Reuters)

Their families, colleagues, and communities will now face unimaginable grief.

Yet their sacrifice will not be forgotten. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration have consistently emphasized rebuilding America’s warfighting capability and honoring those who put their lives on the line, both in combat zones and in test flights like this.

Their vision to restore the strength and pride of the U.S. military stands as the truest tribute to those who serve and fall in the line of duty.

As the investigation continues, what remains clear is the enduring spirit of America’s airmen.

From the flight line at Edwards to bases around the globe, the Air Force family grieves—but also steels itself to continue the mission. The skies may be dangerous, but it is those skies that keep this nation free.

When the flag is raised tomorrow at Edwards Air Force Base, it will wave for eight heroes who gave everything they had in service to their country.

Their memory deserves not only our tears, but our unwavering commitment to continue the mission they so honorably served.

Billy Bush Unleashes Brutal Takedown Of Al Roker As Vindictive And Mean [WATCH]
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Billy Bush Unleashes Brutal Takedown Of Al Roker As Vindictive And Mean [WATCH]

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Television personality Billy Bush delivered a sharp critique of former “Today” show colleague Al Roker during a recent podcast appearance, accusing the longtime NBC personality of being difficult to work with during Bush’s brief tenure on the morning program in 2016, as reported by Page Six.

Bush made the comments during the June 12 episode of “The Nerve With Maureen Callahan,” where he reflected on his time at NBC and his experience working alongside Roker.

“The way I describe Al is three words: territorial, vindictive, and chronically unprepared.”

The former “Today” co-host also criticized Roker’s interviewing skills, arguing that the program’s third hour struggled because of his performance.

According to Bush, the third hour of the NBC morning show “will never be a successful hour” because Roker is “maybe the worst interviewer on television.”

Bush joined “Today” in 2016 but remained with the program for only two months before being dismissed following the release of the “Access Hollywood” recording featuring President Donald Trump.

In the leaked tape, Trump made remarks to Bush that became a major issue during the 2016 presidential campaign.

During the podcast interview, Bush said he approached his role on “Today” with preparation and research but claimed Roker viewed him as competition.

The television host alleged that Roker was “jealous” of him and further claimed that both Roker and former “Today” anchor Matt Lauer did not support his presence on the show’s third hour.

Lauer was dismissed from NBC in 2017 following allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.

Bush also recounted an incident involving social media, alleging that Roker once liked a post on X that referred to him as a “white-splaining racist.”

Bush claimed the incident resulted in no consequences for Roker because of his longstanding position at NBC.

“Al had been there forever, so he kind of, you know, he gets free run of the place for his many credentials and one of them being longevity,” Bush said.

The criticism intensified as Bush discussed what he described as Roker’s behavior behind the scenes.

“People don’t know how mean he was. He’s mean. He’s a mean person. When you say rageful and all that, it’s mean. There is rage in there. There’s jealousy. And I talk about vindictiveness, but he’s mean,” Bush said.

Bush also claimed that Roker was reluctant to share airtime with him during their time together on the program.

According to Bush, tensions stemmed in part from the reception he received from staff members.

“When I got there, they said, you know, a younger guy with a full head of hair who the women on the staff genuinely liked a lot. And that was infuriating to him,” Bush stated.

Toward the end of the interview, Bush criticized Roker’s work as a weather forecaster.

“You’re never going to hear anything that’s truly insightful,” he said. “That’s not what he’s there for.”

Representatives for Roker and NBC’s “Today” program were contacted by Page Six for comment, according to the report.

Bush has previously discussed the personal struggles that followed his departure from “Today.” He has said that after losing the position, he spent time coping through heavy drinking, spending long periods at home, and crying.

His television career resumed in 2019 when entertainment news program “Extra” hired him to replace Mario Lopez. Bush later departed “Extra” and launched his podcast, “Hot Mics with Billy Bush,” in 2025.

The comments mark one of Bush’s most direct public criticisms of his former NBC colleague and provide a new look at the tensions he says existed behind the scenes during his short time on the network’s flagship morning show.

WATCH:

Coast Guard Crushes Cartel Lifeline with Massive Cocaine Seizure in Eastern Pacific
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Coast Guard Crushes Cartel Lifeline with Massive Cocaine Seizure in Eastern Pacific

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The U.S. Coast Guard struck a massive blow against the cartels this week, seizing more than 225,000 pounds of cocaine in the eastern Pacific through Operation Pacific Viper.

The effort marks a decisive win in President Trump’s aggressive counternarcotics campaign, proving that America’s warfighters on the water are keeping the poison off U.S. streets and out of American veins.

According to the Coast Guard, the cutter Bear alone snatched up 7,707 pounds of cocaine over the weekend, pushing the total tally under Operation Pacific Viper to nearly a quarter-million pounds.

The operation began in August 2025 and has kept relentless pressure on the narco-smugglers operating through the maritime corridors of Central America.

Adm. Kevin Lunday, the commandant of the Coast Guard, praised the mission’s success.

“Our forces conducting Operation Pacific Viper continue to defeat the cartels and stop the flow of deadly drugs to the United States,” he said. It’s not an overstatement.

Each pound taken represents thousands of lives potentially saved from overdose and addiction, and each bust tells hostile traffickers that America’s resolve isn’t going anywhere.

Coast Guard Breaks Recruitment Record, Reaching a 34-Year High in Active-Duty Enlistments
The U.S. Coast Guard, whose Law Enforcement Detachment 105 is seen here seizing cocaine from a smuggling vessel on Aug 11 in the eastern Pacific Ocean, brought in 5,204 new enlisted personnel. (MCS2 Sheryssa DoWard/U.S. Navy)

During the operation, the Bear and its embarked helicopter crew disabled two drug-smuggling vessels, seized several thousand pounds of cocaine, and apprehended six suspected narco-terrorists.

The precision and coordination required to pull off such actions show a level of discipline and skill that rivals any military operation conducted on foreign soil.

Officials also emphasized just how lethal this cargo could have been. The Coast Guard estimates that just 1.2 grams of cocaine can prove fatal.

That means the 225,000 pounds captured equates to about 93 million potentially deadly doses. That’s 93 million reasons why aggressive maritime enforcement must continue to ramp up under a no-nonsense American administration.

Poll Shows Broad Backing for Stronger Military Action Against Drug Traffickers as Strikes Escalate
CARIBBEAN SEA (May 25, 2025) An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, the “Swamp Foxes,” lifts off from the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) to conduct a routine maritime interdiction operation patrol while underway in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. Navy assets are deployed under U.S. Northern Command’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and other illegal activity. U.S. Northern Command is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional military forces and capabilities at the southern border. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Williams)

The Trump administration has been unapologetic about taking the gloves off when it comes to fighting drug cartels. Critics have sniffed at what they call “controversial tactics,” but the results speak for themselves.

Cocaine isn’t reaching American cities, overdose rates are slowing, and the traffickers have been pushed back into hiding. That’s not controversy—that’s success.

In coordination with the War Department, the administration launched targeted strikes last fall against vessels suspected of carrying narcotics in both the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

These operations, often conducted far from public view, form part of a new counter-narcoterrorism front designed to choke off the cartels’ infrastructure at sea before it reaches U.S. borders.

The Pentagon, standing firmly behind President Trump’s directive, has labeled these missions as “counternarcotics efforts” within a “non-international armed conflict.”

Taiwan and United States Launch Firepower Center to Master Asymmetric Warfare
A sailor directs a helicopter to a vessel’s flight deck at night.
A service member directs an MH-65E Dolphin helicopter during routine nighttime flight operations aboard the Coast Guard cutter Munro in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2023. The Munro is deployed to the Indo-Pacific to advance relationships with ally and partner nations.

While predictably, left-wing legal scholars and certain media voices have tried to accuse the military of overreach or even “war crimes,” the facts remain clear: U.S. forces are dismantling the operational capacity of drug-running enemies who profit off American death.

Since September 2025, the War Department has reported 64 precision strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Those engagements have eliminated at least 191 cartel-affiliated criminals and destroyed dozens of smuggling craft before they could spread their poison. The cartels may not wear official uniforms, but they pose just as great a threat to American security as any foreign terrorist cell.

Coast Guard operations like Pacific Viper highlight the increasingly military nature of America’s counternarcotics fight. These aren’t routine arrests of fishing boats gone rogue. These are heavily armed, cartel-backed vessels running interdiction-countermeasures, communications encryption, and sometimes even foreign-sourced weaponry.

The Coast Guard’s men and women are literally waging low-intensity warfare against criminal networks that cross borders and bribe nations.

Coast Guard Expands Elite Interdiction Teams To Crush Narco-Terror Threats
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) West patrol waterways in the San Francisco Bay, Oct. 9, 2025. MSRT’s primary mission is to provide specialized maritime law enforcement and counterterrorism capabilities in support of Homeland Security and Defense Readiness operations. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joel LaVallee.

With leadership like Adm. Lunday at the helm and War Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforcing the naval and air missions, the United States is projecting power where it counts most—on the sea lanes that cartels once believed they controlled. Every ton of cocaine seized is strategic leverage gained, and every trafficker caught scrambles the narco-economy.

While political opportunists in Washington will always nitpick tactics or question legality, anyone paying attention to the numbers knows the truth. Operation Pacific Viper is working.

The cartels are reeling, America’s maritime border is stronger, and the bad guys are either locked up or at the bottom of the ocean. To every sailor and airman involved, the message from America’s heartland is clear: job well done, now keep going until the cartels run out of boats.

JD Vance Explains the Difference Between Obama and Trump Iran Deals for the People in the Back [WATCH]
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JD Vance Explains the Difference Between Obama and Trump Iran Deals for the People in the Back [WATCH]

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Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that President Donald Trump’s newly announced agreement with Iran differs significantly from the nuclear deal negotiated during the administration of former President Barack Obama, as reported by Breitbart.

Vance made the remarks while speaking with reporters following the release of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday evening during a dinner event at the Palace of Versailles and is intended to establish a framework for ending the conflict between the United States and Iran while opening negotiations on a broader long-term arrangement.

After the text of the memorandum was released, Vance was asked to explain how the Trump administration’s approach differs from the Iran nuclear agreement reached during the Obama administration in 2015.

Vance argued that the two agreements begin from entirely different circumstances.

“You have to remember, in 2015 Iran had built a sophisticated nuclear weapons program with a nuclear weapon stockpile, so the perspective that we came at as the United States was, you already have a really nice nuclear program; we’re going to bribe you with American money in order to stop it,” Vance said.

“Our perspective, and where we’re coming at it, is we already destroyed your nuclear program, and so if you promise and show verifiable pathways to not rebuild it, then we are willing to give you some sanctions relief, and things like that.”

The vice president described that distinction as the most important difference between the two agreements, saying the Trump administration is negotiating from what he characterized as a position of strength.

Vance also pointed to several policy differences he said separate the current agreement from the Obama-era deal.

“Now, there are all these substantive differences as well,” he said.

“The Obama nuclear deal allowed enrichment; ours will not. The Obama deal allowed the accumulation of stockpiled weapons-grade material. Ours is actually leading to the destruction of that stockpile of enriched material.”

The memorandum states that Iran “shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons” and outlines a process for addressing existing enriched nuclear material under a framework to be supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The agreement says both countries will negotiate a mechanism for handling stockpiled enriched material and continue discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear energy needs as part of future talks.

The document also states that both governments intend to address nuclear issues immediately during negotiations in an effort to reach a final agreement.

Vance emphasized that the administration views the treatment of Iran’s enriched material as a major distinction from the 2015 agreement.

He also highlighted financial differences between the two arrangements.

“So, there are many differences,” Vance continued.

“The Obama deal gave them over a billion dollars of American money. The deal gives them $0 of American money. So, a lot of substantive differences, but I think the most important differences are where we’re coming at it from: a position of strength, and the fact that our Gulf Coast partners love this deal.”

The memorandum establishes a framework for additional negotiations between Washington and Tehran and includes provisions related to sanctions relief, nuclear oversight, and future discussions regarding Iran’s civilian nuclear activities.

Officials from both countries are expected to continue negotiations in the coming weeks as the parties work toward a more comprehensive agreement.

FBI Swarms Los Angeles Skid Row in Explosive Voter Fraud and Bribery Probe [WATCH]
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FBI Swarms Los Angeles Skid Row in Explosive Voter Fraud and Bribery Probe [WATCH]

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Federal agents were seen conducting interviews on Los Angeles’ Skid Row on Thursday as part of an investigation tied to allegations of voter fraud that emerged following California’s June 2 primary election, as reported by Red State.

The investigation comes after questions were raised about voting activity connected to Los Angeles’ mayoral race, where a late surge of mail-in ballots from the Skid Row area reportedly benefited District 4 City Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman.

The additional ballots helped Raman move ahead of media personality Spencer Pratt and secure a position in the race’s top two, eliminating Pratt from advancing.

Spencer Pratt Shuts Down Reporter With Brutal Truth About LA’s Street Crisis

Reports following the election alleged that some homeless individuals living in the Skid Row area had been offered money in exchange for participating in voter registration activities and providing voting-related information.

According to accounts published by the California Post, federal officers arrived in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday morning and began interviewing individuals in the area.

The publication reported that approximately 20 agents participated in the operation.

Witnesses described plainclothes investigators speaking with residents throughout Skid Row and taking notes as they gathered information. Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations were also reportedly involved in the operation.

The California Post reported that investigators were dressed in casual clothing, including jeans, sweatshirts, and baseball caps, while conducting interviews.

The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that federal authorities were investigating a criminal matter but declined to provide additional details. The FBI similarly stated that it does not comment on ongoing investigations.

The investigation follows reporting published on June 12 alleging that homeless individuals in Los Angeles had been encouraged to cast ballots in support of either incumbent Mayor Karen Bass or Raman.

The report included interviews with individuals who claimed they had accepted payment connected to voting activities.

The latest developments also come weeks after the Department of Justice announced charges against Brenda Lee Brown Armstrong, a professional signature collector involved in ballot initiative campaigns.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Armstrong paid individuals, including homeless residents living on the streets of Skid Row, to register to vote.

At the time of the indictment, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon issued a statement regarding the allegations.

“False registrations undermine Americans’ faith in elections – even more so when payoffs are involved. This Justice Department is committed to ensuring that all U.S. elections are fair and free from illegal meddling – so that all Americans can accept the results with confidence.”

The allegations surrounding Skid Row have generated additional scrutiny of election procedures in Los Angeles as vote counting and post-election reviews continue.

Questions have also been raised regarding voter registration addresses and the use of homeless shelters and temporary locations in registration records.

Election officials have not publicly announced any findings related to the allegations, and federal authorities have not released details regarding the scope of the current investigation.

As of Thursday evening, investigators had not announced any arrests connected to the Skid Row operation, nor had they disclosed whether the inquiry was focused solely on the Los Angeles mayoral race or extended to other elections conducted during the June primary.

The federal investigation remains ongoing.

Senate Targets Hegseth’s Travel Budget While Ignoring Iran School Bombing and Boat Strike Facts
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Senate Targets Hegseth’s Travel Budget While Ignoring Iran School Bombing and Boat Strike Facts

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The Senate is at it again, using bureaucratic games to try and hobble Secretary of War Pete Hegseth while conveniently sidestepping the real issues involving Iran and America’s ongoing global fight against terrorism and narcotics networks.

The so-called “restrictions” on Hegseth’s travel are less about fiscal responsibility and more about political theater from lawmakers who can’t stomach a strong leader executing the Commander in Chief’s agenda.

The Senate Armed Services Committee slipped a provision into its version of the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act that would gut 75 percent of Hegseth’s travel budget until he turns over unedited footage and civilian harm reports tied to operations in Iran and Latin America.

The provision passed the committee 18-9, heading now for a floor vote.

Let’s be honest—this has little to do with “oversight” and everything to do with undermining a Secretary of War who has backed President Trump’s unapologetic doctrine of peace through strength.

The same senators playing watchdog now were silent during the aimless foreign fiascos of the previous administration.

At the heart of the scuffle is the February 28 U.S. Tomahawk strike that hit a school in southern Iran on the opening day of the Iran war.

The tragic blast killed 165 people, most of them schoolgirls, according to Iranian state media. However, the situation has remained murky, with conflicting reports about who was really responsible.

President Trump, who launched the operation to neutralize Tehran’s military capabilities, made it clear that evidence suggested Iran could have obtained and launched the missile itself.

“Nobody did that on purpose. Mistakes are made. War is nasty,” Trump said, emphasizing that the incident was under investigation and urging reporters to ask Hegseth for updates.

Hegseth Returns to Capitol Hill to Defend Trump’s 2026 Defense Budget Proposal
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stands with his spouse Jennifer prior to conducting a press conference after taking part in a NATO Defense Ministerial Session at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 13, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander C. Kubitza)

Despite these clear statements, Senate Democrats and a few fence-sitters on the Republican side still jammed the NDAA with micromanaging mandates. They demanded “uncut” videos from Latin American strike missions and detailed civilian harm assessments for three previous strikes in Yemen as well.

Those Latin American operations were part of efforts by U.S. Southern Command to dismantle drug-running routes used by terrorist-linked cartels across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Between September 2025 and June 2026, 64 strikes were executed, killing 191 operatives tied to narco-terrorist syndicates.

The missions have saved untold lives by blocking dangerous drugs destined for American streets, but lawmakers now want to second-guess the men and women risking their lives to stop that flow.

The committee even tried slipping in another amendment that would have barred the War Department from using military funds in operations against Iran without congressional greenlight—a measure that barely failed by one vote.

The attempt was a naked power play meant to strip the Commander in Chief of operational authority and hand national security decisions to self-righteous politicians.

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SecWar Pete Hegseth’s arm on display with tattoos that have been meaningful to his time in the service of the United States (Instagram/@PeteHegseth)

Lawmakers have also zeroed in on “Operation Absolution Resolve,” the daring January 20 mission by U.S. Special Operations Forces to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

They want unredacted investigative documents and certification of contractor participation in related clandestine and intelligence activities. In other words, they’re demanding to see the inner workings of highly classified missions that keep America safe, all to feed their political suspicions.

It’s worth remembering that much of this Senate pushback stems from prior media blow-ups over an alleged incident off Venezuela’s coast last year, when operators targeting drug smugglers were accused of firing on survivors.

Hegseth made the right call by limiting footage access to key House and Senate committee members rather than giving political opportunists raw material to grandstand on cable news.

Burgers, Booing, and a Bold Message: Vance and Hegseth Stand with Troops in Washington
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets with a National Guardsman in Union Station as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Washington, Aug. 20, 2025.

Critics of the committee’s actions say the provisions could have a chilling effect on current and future operations, as commanders might hold back or hesitate knowing that their split-second battlefield decisions could end up the subject of Senate hearings and partisan speculation.

It’s another example of Washington’s obsession with optics over outcomes.

Meanwhile, the same lawmakers calling for “transparency” have shown zero urgency in investigating Iran’s war crimes or China’s deep involvement in Latin American corruption networks.

Their outrage seems carefully reserved for moments that can tarnish the Trump-Hegseth team’s record.

Hegseth’s office continues to coordinate directly with Congress on required briefings and has produced dozens of classified reports to the proper committees.

What Senate obstructionists really want isn’t information—they want control. And they can’t stand that a War Secretary who’s unapologetically patriotic runs circles around them.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits the Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 site in Powidz, Poland, with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Feb. 15, 2025. The visit highlighted the U.S. Army’s commitment to equipping its forces with cutting-edge technology and bolstering deterrence in Eastern Europe, particularly through the V Corps’ leading role in the “Transforming in Contact” initiative.

At a time when America’s enemies grow bolder by the day and our troops are stretched thin across multiple theaters, the last thing this country needs is a politically motivated spending squeeze designed to weaken the War Department’s leadership. The men and women in uniform deserve better than partisan games and selective outrage.

Hegseth’s mission remains the same—to protect America’s interests abroad and ensure our forces never fight with one arm tied behind their back.

The Senate should stop playing watchdog and start being a partner in defense.

Apache Down Near Oman Signals Dangerous Shift in Air Combat
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Apache Down Near Oman Signals Dangerous Shift in Air Combat

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When an Apache attack helicopter went down off the coast of Oman after an encounter with an Iranian-made Shahed drone, it wasn’t just a tragic close call for the crew—it was a moment that revealed how modern warfare is rapidly changing.

Analysts say the incident marks a turning point in the skies, where even America’s toughest rotary-wing aircraft are finding themselves vulnerable to swarms of cheap, weaponized drones built by U.S. adversaries.

The Army confirmed that the two crew members aboard the Apache were rescued by a passing vessel hours after the crash, and thankfully both survived.

What caused the helicopter to go into the water remains unclear, but experts suspect a Shahed drone—the same type Iran has shipped in droves to Russia for use in Ukraine—may have either impacted or detonated near the aircraft.

That possibility has analysts across the military community rethinking what it means to dominate the air.

Iran’s Shahed-136 drones are not sophisticated by American standards.

They’re relatively inexpensive, often pre-programmed to fly toward fixed coordinates, and typically used to strike stationary targets. Kelly Campa from the Institute for the Study of War explained that such drones aren’t designed to take down helicopters mid-flight.

U.S. Army Apaches and Navy Seahawks Obliterate Iranian Boats Blocking the Strait of Hormuz
Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters sunk several Iranian boats, U.S. officials said, as the first day of the operation to escort commercial ships through the Straits of Hormuz resulted in combat. U.S. Army photo.

“A Shahed hitting a helicopter is highly unusual,” she said, noting that Russia’s experimentation with guided variants makes that capability more likely there than anywhere else.

Still, suspicions that Iran—or one of its proxy groups—may be testing or modifying Shahed models to perform this kind of attack raises serious red flags for pilots in hostile airspace.

If even a rudimentary drone can jeopardize an Apache, the battlefield calculus shifts dramatically, especially in a region where Tehran is constantly probing for weakness.

Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow with the Stimson Center, suggests multiple possible scenarios for the downing.

The Apache might have collided with the drone while maneuvering for an intercept, or it could have encountered a variant rigged with a proximity fuse that exploded nearby. “The fact that both crew members survived and appear to have made a controlled water landing argues against a direct impact with the warhead,” she said.

That detail may indicate the Apache crew fought the aircraft all the way down, buying precious seconds before escape.

But beyond the specifics of how the incident unfolded, the larger question gripping military analysts is what this event reveals about the evolving nature of air power. For decades, Apaches represented the pinnacle of close air support—a flying tank capable of hunting ground targets with precision and agility.

U.S. Soldiers Saved by Navy Drone After Apache Crash Off Oman Coast
A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 19, 2025. (U.S. Army)

Now they’re flying into a sky where cheap, unmanned weapons can punch far above their cost and threaten even the best U.S. machines.

Doug Birkey, executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, called the crash a wake-up call. “This should be the last fight where we use a lot of legacy constructs and technologies,” Birkey said.

After two decades of flying relatively unchallenged during counterinsurgency campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, American pilots are suddenly facing skies crammed with drones, electronic warfare, and advanced air defenses.

He argues the military must move fast to adapt, pairing manned aircraft like the Apache with autonomous wingmen—uncrewed assets that can scout ahead, jam threats, or even absorb enemy fire.

“Could you partner that Apache with an uncrewed asset to net similar effect?” Birkey asked. In this vision, human pilots stay close enough to guide the fight but far enough to remain alive.

The Army is already taking steps in that direction, testing a pilot-optional version of the Black Hawk helicopter this year. The next evolution might combine human ingenuity with mechanical endurance—a pairing that could redefine battlefield dominance under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s push for readiness, lethality, and innovation.

Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, sees the Oman incident as an extension of drone tactics tested in Ukraine.

“It was the Shahed being used as anti-helicopter,” he said. “That had happened in Ukraine. It had not happened in the Gulf.” That expansion beyond Europe shows just how rapidly adversaries are sharing technology and adapting new threat profiles.

Apache Becomes Drone Hunter as Army Tests Airburst Rounds to Take Down Drones
An AH-64E Apache prepares to engage during aerial gunnery training at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Oct. 2, 2025. Army photo by Spc. Josefina Garcia.

Apaches flying around the Strait of Hormuz have long operated as the tip of the spear against Iranian forces, often engaging small boats or intercepting drones.

Now, they may have to fly in formations, coordinate more closely with uncrewed scouts, and limit their exposure to hostile skies. In short, the rules of engagement are changing in real time.

Veteran pilots understand the stakes better than anyone. One recalled his underwater escape training, designed to prepare aircrews for crashes over water. “It was my biggest fear,” he admitted.

Darkness, disorientation, and panic are the first enemies a downed crew must fight. Still, training kicks in—and in every case, one rule remains the same: bubbles always rise.

That principle, both literal and symbolic, fits the new air war ahead. America’s warfighters will adapt, rise, and overcome.

The tools of conflict may change, but as history proves, American pilots still define courage—and even in the darkest waters off hostile shores, that spirit never sinks.


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