Bill Maher advised Democrats to “do something” about “The View” after co-host Whoopi Goldberg made a controversial remark that compared Iran to the United States of America. Meanwhile, a GOP representative blasted Goldberg for attempting to compare life in the United States with life in Iran.

Last week, Goldberg stirred the pot by claiming that living under the brutal Iranian theocratic regime isn’t much different from black people living in the United States.

‘”The View” isn’t a talk show, it’s a weekly tantrum from the far-left padded room.’

The eyebrow-raising comment was made during a discussion about the conflict in Iran, when co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin pointed out that the oppressive Iranian regime has regularly violated human rights.

“Let’s just remember, too, the Iranians literally throw gay people off of buildings. They don’t adhere to basic human rights,” Griffin declared during the episode that aired last Wednesday.

The remark irritated Goldberg, who responded by saying, “Let’s not do that, because if we start with that, we have been known in this country to tie gay folks to the car. I’m sorry, they used to just keep hanging black people.”

Griffin responded while Whoopi continued to talk over her.

“I’m sorry, but where the Iranian regime is today in 2025 is nothing compared to the United States,” Griffin replied. “It is not even the same.”

Goldberg argued, “It is the same.” Then Whoopi told Griffin, “That’s not what you mean to say.”

Griffin countered, “The year 2025 in the United States is nothing like if I stepped foot wearing this outfit in Tehran right now.”

Griffin noted that women cannot wear leg-revealing skirts or have their hair showing in Iran.

It is mandatory for women to wear a hijab to cover their hair in public spaces, and failing to do so is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, according to the United Nations.

RELATED: Watch: Schwarzenegger shuts down Joy Behar’s attempt to ignite anti-ICE sentiment on ‘The View,’ says immigrants must behave

Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

“I think it’s very different to live in the United States in 2025 than it is to live in Iran in 2025,” Griffin stated.

Goldberg interjected, “Not if you’re black.”

“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin agreed, saying, “Not for everybody.”

Griffin advised, “Uh, guys, don’t go to Tehran. Do not. No one at this table can go to Tehran.”

Whoopi admitted that the United States is “the greatest country in the world,” but contended that black Americans face issues every day.

Goldberg said, “But every day, we are worried. Do we have to be worried about our kids? Are their kids going to get shot because they’re running through somebody’s neighborhood?”

Co-host Sara Haines added of females in Iran, “And they are not doing well there. They are not doing well in Iran. They are not educated. They can’t own property.”

Haines noted, “They can’t go out of their houses.”

Griffin conceded that there are “very real problems” in the United States, but there are “much darker” places in the world.

“Nobody wants to diminish the very real problems we have in this country,” Griffin stated. “That is no one’s intent, but I think it’s important we remember there are places much darker than this country, and people who deserve rights …”

Goldberg butted in and said, “Listen, not everybody feels that way. Not everybody feels that way. Listen, I’m sorry, you know, when you think about the fact that we got the vote in 1965 …”

Griffin interrupted, “They don’t have free and fair elections in Iran. It’s not even the same universe.”

Goldberg dropped out of the tense debate by saying, “There’s no way I can make you understand.”

RELATED: People are saying Bill Maher’s monologue rebuking pedophilia in Hollywood, gender identity politics might be his best takedown ever

Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images

Maher ridiculed “The View” for attempting to equate life in the authoritarian Islamic Republic of Iran with being a black American in the United States.

During the latest episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher,” the liberal talk show host applauded Democrats for taking a step “back to sanity” after the New York Times shifted toward a more “sensible liberal, not crazy woke” position on transgender issues.

However, Maher noted that the Democrats have an issue with the progressive talking points spouted on “The View” and that “something” needs to be done about it.

Maher said it was a “great first step toward giving Democrats back some sanity.” He added, “A second good step would be: We gotta do something about ‘The View.’ I really believe that.”

‘Honestly? Don’t cancel “The View.” Add more cameras. More microphones. Maybe even a laugh track. Once you realize it’s basically an “SNL” skit of a left-wing meltdown, it becomes the greatest MAGA campaign ad on TV.’

Maher asked guest Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) for his opinion on Goldberg’s remarks that black Americans have just as many issues as people in Iran.

Hunt reacted with a hearty laugh before stating, “My district in the great state of Texas is actually a white-majority district that President Trump would have won by 25 points.”

“As I said, I’m a direct descendant of a slave, my great-great-grandfather, who was born on Rosedown Plantation,” Hunt continued. “I am literally being judged not by the color of my skin but by the content of my character.”

Hunt added, “That’s the progress, because, like, a lot of white people had to vote for me — a lot. So I don’t ever want to hear Whoopi Goldberg’s conversation about how it’s worse to be black in America right now. That’s a bit far.”

Hunt explained that his father grew up under Jim Crow but is now the father of a Republican U.S. congressman in a white-majority district.

“That is America,” Hunt proclaimed. “So let’s celebrate that.”

Fellow guest Paul Begala, a Democratic political consultant and commentator, argued that we have the holiday of Juneteenth to celebrate the freedom of black Americans, but asserted that President Donald Trump “doesn’t want to honor” the occasion.

Hunt fired back, “I don’t want it. I don’t want Black History Month. I don’t want all these days to make everybody feel special. I’m an ’80s baby. Everybody’s too sensitive anyway. We’re all Americans anyway.”

RELATED: Watch: Bill Maher’s awkward exchange with Don Lemon prompts Caitlyn Jenner to blast ex-CNN anchor as privileged, wealthy, entitled

Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Hunt continued to bash “The View” host even after his Friday appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

Hunt wrote on the X social media platform on Monday, “Hey Whoopi, if America is so bad, why are you still cashing multi-million dollar checks from a country that made you rich, famous, and free? You claim it’s worse to be Black in America than a woman in Iran? Really?”

“Try hosting The View in Tehran and see how that goes. Spoiler alert: there won’t be a studio audience — there’ll be a firing squad,” the Texas congressman stated.

“The truth is, you’ve become a professional victim in a nation that gave you everything. The View isn’t a talk show, it’s a weekly tantrum from the far-left padded room,” Hunt declared. “Let her talk. Let her rant. Every time she opens her mouth, she reminds America why we’re winning.”

Hunt stated that he doesn’t want “The View” canceled. In fact, Hunt wants to bring more exposure to the left-wing talk show.

“Honestly? Don’t cancel The View. Add more cameras. More microphones. Maybe even a laugh track,” Hunt said. “Once you realize it’s basically an SNL skit of a leftwing meltdown, it becomes the greatest MAGA campaign ad on TV.”

RELATED: Rep. Wesley Hunt refuses to apologize when a black man screams at him for supporting Trump: ‘How can a black man do this?’

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During Fox News’ coverage of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade, contributor and former Defense Intelligence Officer Rebekah Koffler appeared on air with slurred speech and exaggerated gestures, leading viewers to speculate she was intoxicated.

In a now deleted post on X, Koffler wrote prior to the interview, “Well @POTUS is apparently encroaching on my airtime! My hit is moved to 8:20-8:30 pm depending on how long #Trump takes. I’m honored. Refilling my #champagne glass while waiting for my hit!”

Accompanying the sentiment was a photo of a bottle of champagne.

When she was asked on air what her thoughts were on the “incredible symbolism” and “messaging” of the event, her response was almost unintelligible.

“I’m so excited, Emily and Lucas Tomlinson,” Koffler said to Fox News anchors Emily Compagno and Lawrence Jones. “Everybody, like, this is incredible! Finally, the United States is back! I want to really thank all of our Army, Navy, and Air Force officers who’ve been sacrificing their lives, literally. Their families have been contributing to the mission.”

“With our new commander in chief, Donald J. Trump, they are prioritizing America first. And I want to thank these officers for all of their sacrifices and all of the hardships that their families have endured,” she continued, adding, “Lawrence Jones, you’re doing … you’re rocking, man!”

Her segment then ended when the Fox and Friends hosts cut her off and quickly went to a commercial break.

Koffler claimed she was simply having an audio issue, but BlazeTV host Pat Gray isn’t buying it.

“I say she was drunk,” Gray says on “Pat Gray Unleashed.”

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Former NHL coach and legendary broadcaster Don Cherry had fans worried about his health and his career when he signed off of his podcast this week.

The broadcaster has been hosting “The Don Cherry’s Grapevine Podcast” since he was fired from CBC Sports in 2019 after 37 years. Cherry was canceled after he criticized immigrants for their lack of patriotism and complained that the newcomers did not wear a poppy to honor Canada’s fallen soldiers.

‘Just like Mark Twain.’

“You people … that come here, whatever it is — you love our way of life. You love our milk and honey. At least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that. These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada. These guys paid the biggest price for that.”

He was promptly removed after his comments.

On Monday, Cherry shared a clip from his show, where he and his co-host and son, Tim, discussed their “last show.”

“Well, Tim, this is our last show,” Cherry said.

“Yep. How many podcasts have we done?” the younger Cherry replied, before informing his father that it was number 313.

“6.5 million downloads,” Tim said.

“That’s an awful lot. Thanks everybody for listening, and toodle-oo,” Cherry signed off.

The short podcast, lasting just 13 minutes, immediately sent media and fans into a frenzy.

RELATED: Canadian hockey icon Don Cherry fired over on-air remarks criticizing immigrants

Cherry linked to the clip on his X page, which drew immediate reactions from supporters.

“Thank you Don Cherry,” one fan wrote on X.

“The best to ever do it,” another hockey fan replied.

Outlets then took turns declaring Cherry had abruptly ended his broadcasting career.

“Don Cherry ends his podcast,” the Hockey News wrote.

“Frail-sounding Don Cherry bids farewell,” the Western Standard published.

However, long-time Cherry whisperer and investigative reporter Joe Warmington quickly got in touch with the coach to separate fact from fiction. When asked if he was retiring, Cherry joked, “Yeah, just like Mark Twain.”

“I’m coming back next season,” Cherry told Warmington and the Toronto Sun. “I can’t wait.”

“We just meant to say goodbye for this year,” the iconic broadcaster added. “We always do that at the end the season. There’s no more hockey this year, so there’s no podcast for the summer. I guess we should have said for the season.”

RELATED: Hockey commentator Don Cherry: ‘Silent majority,’ military, first responders support me after firing for criticizing immigrants who don’t back veterans

BOSTON, MA. — 1970s: Don Cherry, coach of the Boston Bruins, addresses media from his desk at Boston Garden. Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images

Despite being excommunicated from the corporate hockey world and left out to dry by former co-host Ron McLean, Cherry is still beloved by fans and former players.

Fan favorite Doug Gilmour, a former Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks player, wished Cherry a happy 90th birthday last year on X, while former player and current ESPN analyst P.K. Subban showered praise on the coach for his 91st.

“Man do I miss this guy on the tube! Canadian Royalty. Can’t beat grapes!” Subban wrote on X. “No one has … and no one will! EVER! I miss Don! & I know everyone who loves our game does too! Enjoy the day grapes! Coast to Coast like butter on toast!”

As for what Cherry is getting up to in the meantime, he told the Toronto Sun, “I was just saying farewell for the summer,” he laughed. “Right now, I am watching my Blue Jays. It’s baseball season.”

Cherry hosted “Coach’s Corner” from 1982 to 2019 and produced his own NHL compilation tapes and DVDs titled “Rock’em Sock’em Hockey” from 1989 to 2018.

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It’s no secret that the WNBA has long been a black-dominated league, but BlazeTV host Jason Whitlock is shocked to see that the early leading candidates for MVP are white.

He calls them “great white hopes.”

“White women have invaded the WNBA and are dominating the WNBA, and I think there’s a reason why. I think, honest to goodness, I think sports are being dominated by two-parent-family kids,” Whitlock says, adding, “The era of the baby-mama professional sports leagues is coming to an end.”

Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, and Napheesa Collier are all leading candidates, and Whitlock couldn’t be happier to see it.

However, BlazeTV contributor Steve Kim worries that there could be “dishonest types of agendas being thrown around to make sure that certain players don’t win it.”

“Not this year,” Whitlock says. “Unless Napheesa Collier gets hurt, she’s going to win it in a landslide.”

Whitlock believes that the trend he’s seeing largely has to do with children and teens who play basketball needing to travel to play in tournaments.

“That’s a two-parent experience,” he says. “That’s not a one-parent situation.”

He also believes that the cultural pushback against police and religion has negatively impacted children’s sports in the black community.

“You don’t have a daddy; there’s a policeman or a fireman or some law enforcement official that’s got a league to try to develop you, to get you on a path away from criminality, or whatever; there’s the church league. That’s all being pushed out,” he explains.

“And so now, there is no safety net for the kids that don’t have intact families, and the expense of traveling, the free time to travel, only two-parent families can handle,” he adds.

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Jay Trombley — a member of CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan — told WXYZ-TV he initially thought the noise he heard during Sunday’s service was something “mechanical.”

Trombley recalled to the station that he “turned to see people running” and “asked them through a door what had happened.”

‘The one thing that always has been in the back of my mind — the question: “If I hear that noise, will I run to it, or will I run from it?” And I answered that question yesterday.’

A young woman told him “AR-15” and pointed to where the noise was coming from, and Trombley told WXYZ that he “headed in that direction.”

As a volunteer member of the church’s security team, Trombley and the team’s other members immediately went to work.

Police said 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning of Romulus, Michigan, was wearing camouflage clothing and a tactical vest, was armed with an AR-15-style rifle, and had more than a dozen fully loaded magazines as well as a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Browning also was firing at the church, police said.

Police said a church member driving a pickup truck hit Browning. Senior Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. told the Detroit News that the church member actually drove over the suspect: “He was run over by one of our members who saw this happening when he was coming into church.”

RELATED: Blaze News original: 15 examples of good guys — and gals — with guns taking care of business in life-or-death situations

Police told Blaze News that this photo shows the vehicle a church member used to hit the shooting suspect. Photo by Emily Elconin/Getty Images

What’s more, the gunman shot at the vehicle repeatedly, Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong told the Detroit Free Press at a news conference Sunday evening.

Police said the church security team locked the church’s front doors and exchanged gunfire with the suspect outside. Police said a member of the security team shot and killed the suspect. First responders pronounced the suspect dead after performing lifesaving measures, police said.

One member of the church’s security team was shot in the leg and taken to a hospital, where he was last listed in stable condition after a successful surgery, police said. The wounded security team member did not fire a weapon at the gunman, Deputy Chief Finley Carter III told Blaze News, adding that he was one of three security team members involved.

Kelly told the Detroit News that the attacker didn’t enter the church building, but several shots were fired into the church. Carter added to Blaze News that police haven’t yet determined how many rounds the gunman fired. No other church members were hurt, the Detroit News added.

WXYZ said Browning attended a few services at the church where his mother was baptized, but the station added that it’s unclear why he chose to carry out a mass attack there.

Trombley knows one thing: The suspect’s act was “evil.”

“We found out that evil came to our door, but God’s hand of protection was right over us,” Trombley told WXYZ. “So many things happened that can only be God-driven: The parishioner shows up late to engage him with this pickup truck to slow him down; a double-pane window stopped five rounds. … God’s hand was protecting me.”

The station added that Trombley is “coming to terms with the reality that the cost of saving lives Sunday was taking one.”

“I realize what happened yesterday, what my actions did,” Trombley told WXYZ before a lengthy, thoughtful pause. “You know, I will reconcile with the Lord on a time for that, you know. I was protecting his people.”

“The one thing that always has been in the back of my mind — the question: ‘If I hear that noise, will I run to it, or will I run from it?’ And I answered that question yesterday,” he added to the station.

WXYZ said Trombley doesn’t view himself as a hero, but rather a guardian protecting his family — and the members of CrossPointe Community Church are his family. Check out his interview with the station titled “Church security guard speaks out after shooting and killing armed man” below.

RELATED: 15-year-old girl named as shooter who killed at least 2 at Christian school, police say

CrossPointe issued the following statement about the shooting on its website:

On Sunday, June 22nd at approximately 11:15am, an armed gunman attempted to bring about maximum casualties during our worship service. But instead of having to report massive losses, we are grateful to God that there was only one member of our security team who suffered a leg injury caused by the gunfire. As details emerge, we are seeing God’s hand of protection more clearly in how what could have been, simply wasn’t.

There are many heroes, both men and women who acted bravely and selflessly to prevent an all out catastrophe. Among these were the members of our security team who engaged the suspect and subdued the threat. There is also the church member who was divinely positioned to see the assailant approaching the church in full tactical gear, including an assault rifle, and acted swiftly to hit him with his truck, injuring him. This action kept the gunman from ever entering the building and gave our security team extra needed seconds to respond. Glory to God!

To the Wayne Police, EMS, and Fire, along with the other localities that arrived on scene, thank you for your very swift response to secure the scene and offer support and comfort as we tried to catch our breath from this attack.

Lastly, we are extremely encouraged by the response from several local churches, grief counseling agencies, and community programs who have reached out to assist. We will be taking advantage of as much as we can to help us move forward. But most importantly, thank you all for your many prayers. They are much needed at this time. Please pray for our healing, the strengthening of our faith, and the continued bond of unity brought about through this shared traumatic experience, and for the family of Brian Browning. They are hurting too.

Through all of this, know that we will continue to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ with boldness and clarity so that people, including the Brian Brownings of the world, can learn that we can all be forgiven if we repent from our sins and place our faith in Jesus Christ, who is forever praised, amen.

A Wayne resident recalled to Blaze News the sounds of the shooting, noting that what actually was happening wasn’t immediately apparent to him.

“I heard everything,” the man recounted to Blaze News on the condition of anonymity, adding, “I was in my backyard and heard loud noises coming from the church.”

The resident — who was just a few hundred feet from the church — added to Blaze News he “thought it was construction” and “then I go to my job and see police cars.” He added that he later learned the details of the shooting and that it was “really sad.”

“I know people who go to the church,” the man told Blaze News, adding that they’re dealing with some trauma but are managing it.

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President Donald Trump can’t help but make fun of the latest impeachment efforts launched by Democratic lawmakers.

Democrats are once again in disarray amid Trump’s ongoing involvement in the Middle East, with several lawmakers, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rep. Al Green of Texas, calling for impeachment. In true Trump fashion, the president poked fun at Democrats for their latest meltdown.

‘Stupid AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the “dumbest’ people in Congress, is now calling for my Impeachment.’

RELATED: Republican senator makes a stunning admission: ‘I can’t be somebody that I’m not’

— (@)

“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a Saturday post on X. “He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.”

“I believe that the president of the United States has committed an impeachable act,” Green said in a floor speech Tuesday. “Later today, I bring articles of impeachment to the floor, and I will call for a vote.”

Trump’s attack against Iran prompted outrage from other high-profile Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

RELATED: DOD reveals stunning new details following Trump’s attack on Iran

Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

“President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East,” Jeffries said in a statement Saturday.

“The law requires the Trump administration to consult with Congress,” Schumer said in an X post Monday. “The Constitution demands it. And the American people—especially the families of those in harm’s way—deserve nothing less.”

Notably, all congressional leadership was briefed on the Iran strikes that took place over the weekend, despite claims from Democrats that they were left in the dark.

RELATED: Praise, prayers, and impeachment: Reactions pour in following US attack on Iran

Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Trump took to Truth Social to troll Democrats, taunting them for bringing forth another impeachment effort.

“Stupid AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the ‘dumbest’ people in Congress, is now calling for my Impeachment, despite the fact that the Crooked and Corrupt Democrats have already done that twice before,” Trump wrote on Tuesday. “The reason for her ‘rantings’ is all of the Victories that the U.S.A. has had under the Trump Administration. The Democrats aren’t used to WINNING, and she can’t stand the concept of our Country being successful again.”

“Instead of her constant complaining, Alexandria should go back home to Queens, where I was also brought up, and straighten out her filthy, disgusting, crime ridden streets, in the District she ‘represents,’ and which she never goes to anymore,” Trump added. “She better start worrying about her own Primary, before she thinks about beating our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, whose career is definitely on very thin ice!

“She and her Democrat friends have just hit the Lowest Poll Numbers in Congressional History, so go ahead and try Impeaching me, again, MAKE MY DAY!” he concluded.

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Democratic lawmakers pushed legislation in both chambers of Congress last week with the aim of limiting President Donald Trump’s war powers — something they sought in his first term and began gunning for again ahead of his second inauguration.

This campaign, spearheaded in the House by Republican Thomas Massie (Ky.) and in the Senate by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.), picked up steam in the wake of Israel’s June 12 military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and amid suggestions by the likes of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) that America’s direct involvement in the conflict was a foregone conclusion.

Although greatly strained by a continued exchange of explosives, the ceasefire between Iran and Israel that Trump announced on Monday and repaired Tuesday morning appears to have sapped much of the energy from lawmakers’ war power delimitation campaign.

After all, it appears that Trump’s controversial bombings — the kind that Democratic Reps. Ro Khanna (Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Chuy Garcia (Ill.), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) don’t think the president should be able to order — did not pave America’s way into another protracted Middle Eastern entanglement but rather paved the way to an exit for all parties involved.

In other words, campaigners must now convince their peers that Trump must be deprived of the powers he just used for a back-burn that spared Israel and its neighbors from a greater conflagration.

Massie noted several hours before Trump announced the ceasefire that his war powers resolution to prohibit America’s involvement in Iran had 57 co-sponsors.

RELATED: Trump’s strike wasn’t an escalation — it was an exit

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

“Whether you like it or not Congress will be voting on U.S. hostilities in Iran,” tweeted Massie. “Under the War Powers Act, the President is required to withdraw from hostilities in Iran within 60 days (+30 days ext.) unless he gets a vote of Congress.”

The congressman changed his tune Monday evening, telling reporters, “I talked to the speaker on the floor just now and told him we wouldn’t push [the measure] if the ceasefire holds, so it’s really in their court,” reported Politico.

‘I still think we need to do it.’

Regardless of whether the ceasefire holds, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) made clear that the measure had no chance of survival, adding that Massie should “do right by the country and do right by the Republican team here” by dropping the measure.

Democrats, meanwhile, indicated that they still want to hold the doomed vote on the basis of hypotheticals and with the aim of virtue-signaling.

“We may … have a conflict in the future, and we need to be on record saying no offensive war in Iran without prior authorization,” Khanna told Axios.

Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern (Mass.) said, “I still think we need to do it.”

“This is a serious matter. Congress ought to debate this,” McGovern told Axios. “I complained about when Obama took action without congressional authorization; I complained when Biden did as well.”

With Massie’s initiative now virtually dead, New York Rep. Greg Meeks (D) is reportedly preparing to introduce his own war powers resolution, which looks to be an exercise in futility, given the “hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran” he seeks to end are apparently already finished.

‘I acted pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.’

Over in the Senate, the delimitation campaign similarly shows signs of stalling.

Kaine has delayed scheduling a vote on his resolution until he and his colleagues receive a classified briefing Tuesday afternoon on the conflict. Even if the vote proceeds, it’s unlikely to go anywhere.

Blaze News senior politics editor Christopher Bedford noted that “most senators hate hard votes, war is a hard vote, and most of them like a belligerent foreign policy. So there’s not really any serious, broad will in the Senate to retake war powers. It would take a whole lot more than this to change that.”

RELATED: ‘They don’t know what the f**k they’re doing’: Trump cusses out Israel, Iran for nearly blowing up his ceasefire

Bloomberg / Contributor via Getty Images

Contrary to his critics’ framing, Trump insists that he had the right to order the the strikes on the Iranian nuclear sites.

“I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad as well as in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests,” he noted in a Monday letter to House Speaker Johnson. “I acted pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive and pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct United States foreign relations.”

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Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska signaled that she would be open to a major political shake-up, but on one condition.

Murkowski, who has a track record of bucking her party, admitted on a new episode of the “GD Politics” podcast that she would be open to caucusing with Democrats and even changing her party affiliation to independent if she felt it benefited her constituents. Although Murkowski has repeatedly refrained from voting alongside Republicans on key votes, she also acknowledged that there are certain aspects of the Democratic Party she simply disagrees with.

‘There is some openness to exploring something different.’

“I have to figure out how I can be most effective for the people that I serve,” Murkowski said. “That’s why I’m going to continue to do a really hard job, because I want to try to help people.”

“My problem with your hypothetical is that as challenged as I think we may be on the Republican side, I don’t see the Democrats being much better,” Murkowski said. “And they’ve got not only their share of problems, but quite honestly, they’ve got some policies that I just inherently disagree with.”

RELATED: Vance casts tiebreaking Senate vote after Republicans join Democrats to tank Trump’s tariffs

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Murkowski managed to evade directly addressing whether she would change her party affiliation to independent, but she expressed an “openness” to it.

“There is some openness to exploring something different than the status quo.”

RELATED: RFK secures support from key Republican ahead of confirmation

Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for JDRF

Murkowski noted that she has been pressured to change her party affiliation to Libertarian in the past in order to secure a political advantage. Even though it might have played in her favor, Murkowski rejected the idea.

“I can’t be somebody that I’m not,” Murkowski said. “I can’t now say, ‘I want this job so much that I’m going to pretend to be somebody that I’m not.’ That’s not who I am.”

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​Lisa murkowski, Senate republicans, Senate democrats, Alaska, Party affiliation, Congress, Pete hegseth, Trump nominee, Senate confirmation, Politics 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deleted and then apologized for a social media post where it expressed condolences for the “tragic” bombing of sites in Iran.

As Blaze News reported, the United States military bombed three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday. President Donald Trump ordered a fleet of B-2 bombers to bomb Iran in a mission called Operation Midnight Hammer. Washington is betting that the strategic strikes will prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb and force Tehran to make peace with Israel.

‘This is the stupidest thing I have seen in a long time.’

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reacted to the news of the U.S. bombing by expressing condolences to Iranians.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department wrote on the X social media platform on Saturday. “While this tragic event happened overseas, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is closely monitoring the situation alongside our local, state, and federal partners.”

RELATED: Oil and stock markets have surprising reaction to Iranian attack on US bases

Image Source: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

According to screenshots shared on social media, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department edited the post and removed the portion about the “victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran.”

Then, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deleted the post entirely.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department then issued an apology for the “offensive and inappropriate social media post.”

“We are issuing this statement to formally apologize for an offensive and inappropriate social media post recently posted on our Department social media platforms regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran,” the sheriff’s department stated in the apology post on Sunday. “This post was unacceptable, made in error, and does not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the department.”

“As a law enforcement agency, we do not comment on foreign policy or military matters,” the statement reads. “Our mission remains solely focused on protecting public safety and serving our diverse communities.”

“We fully recognize that the words and messages we share carry weight,” the LASD stated. “As law enforcement professionals, we are entrusted with a position of public responsibility, and that trust demands that we communicate accurately.”

“In this instance, we fell short of that expectation, and we are taking quick corrective action,” the statement continued. “We are committed to learning from this failure and to prevent such incidents from occurring again.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it had “launched an internal review” to determine how the social media post was created and published.

The department added that “steps are being taken to strengthen our social media oversight protocols and ensure that any future communications align with our department’s standards of professionalism, respect, and accountability.”

RELATED: FBI warns of ‘sleeper cells’ in America — why did they leak this NOW?

— (@)

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department was lambasted online for the controversial post that was ultimately deleted.

Alejandro Villanueva – the 33rd sheriff of Los Angeles County who served from 2018 until 2022 – called for Sheriff Robert Luna to “apologize and resign.”

David A. Clarke Jr. – retired sheriff of Milwaukee County – stated, “This is the stupidest thing I have seen in a long time. The LACSD is an embarrassment to law enforcement for issuing this. The Iranian people chant death to the Jews, death to Israel and death to America. They don’t deserve any condolences. They deserve what they got.”

Stop Antisemitism – a self-described “grassroots watchdog organization dedicated to exposing groups and individuals that espouse incitement towards the Jewish people and state and engage in antisemitic behaviors” – responded by saying, “We sincerely hope your account was hacked. There were no victims in last night’s successful targeting of Iran’s nuclear sites.”

A sheriff’s department spokesperson told Fox News that he was not initially aware of the strange social media post showing empathy toward Iran.

RELATED: DHS warns of attacks stateside after Iran bombings, years of open borders

According to a 2021 report from the Migration Policy Institute, 36% of Iranian immigrants to the United States live in Los Angeles, 6% in Washington, D.C., and 5% in New York City and San Francisco.

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​Los angeles county sheriff’s department, Social media, Iran, Donald trump, Iran bombings, News 

The United States has taken direct military action against Iran’s nuclear program. Whatever you think of the strike, it’s over. It’s happened. And now, we have to predict what happens next. I want to help you understand the gravity of this situation: what happened, what it means, and what might come next. To that end, we need to begin with a little history.

Since 1979, Iran has been at war with us — even if we refused to call it that.

We are either on the verge of a remarkable strategic victory or a devastating global escalation. Time will tell.

It began with the hostage crisis, when 66 Americans were seized and 52 were held for over a year by the radical Islamic regime. Four years later, 17 more Americans were murdered in the U.S. Embassy bombing in Beirut, followed by 241 Marines in the Beirut barracks bombing.

Then came the Khobar Towers bombing in 1996, which killed 19 more U.S. airmen. Iran had its fingerprints all over it.

In Iraq and Afghanistan, Iranian-backed proxies killed hundreds of American soldiers. From 2001 to 2020 in Afghanistan and 2003 to 2011 in Iraq, Iran supplied IEDs and tactical support.

The Iranians have plotted assassinations and kidnappings on U.S. soil — in 2011, 2021, and again in 2024 — and yet we’ve never really responded.

The precedent for U.S. retaliation has always been present, but no president has chosen to pull the trigger until this past weekend. President Donald Trump struck decisively. And what our military pulled off this weekend was nothing short of extraordinary.

Operation Midnight Hammer

The strike was reportedly called Operation Midnight Hammer. It involved as many as 175 U.S. aircraft, including 12 B-2 stealth bombers — out of just 19 in our entire arsenal. Those bombers are among the most complex machines in the world, and they were kept mission-ready by some of the finest mechanics on the planet.

RELATED: Iran fires missiles at US troops on bases in Qatar and Iraq

Photo by Getty Images

To throw off Iranian radar and intelligence, some bombers flew west toward Guam — classic misdirection. The rest flew east, toward the real targets.

As the B-2s approached Iranian airspace, U.S. submarines launched dozens of Tomahawk missiles at Iran’s fortified nuclear facilities. Minutes later, the bombers dropped 14 MOPs — massive ordnance penetrators — each designed to drill deep into the earth and destroy underground bunkers. These bombs are the size of an F-16 and cost millions of dollars apiece. They are so accurate, I’ve been told they can hit the top of a soda can from 15,000 feet.

They were built for this mission — and we’ve been rehearsing this run for 15 years.

If the satellite imagery is accurate — and if what my sources tell me is true — the targeted nuclear sites were utterly destroyed. We’ll likely rely on the Israelis to confirm that on the ground.

This was a master class in strategy, execution, and deterrence. And it proved that only the United States could carry out a strike like this. I am very proud of our military, what we are capable of doing, and what we can accomplish.

What comes next

We don’t yet know how Iran will respond, but many of the possibilities are troubling. The Iranians could target U.S. forces across the Middle East. On Monday, Tehran launched 20 missiles at U.S. bases in Qatar, Syria, and Kuwait, to no effect. God forbid, they could also unleash Hezbollah or other terrorist proxies to strike here at home — and they just might.

Iran has also threatened to shut down the Strait of Hormuz — the artery through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil flows. On Sunday, Iran’s parliament voted to begin the process. If the Supreme Council and the ayatollah give the go-ahead, we could see oil prices spike to $150 or even $200 a barrel.

That would be catastrophic.

The 2008 financial collapse was pushed over the edge when oil hit $130. Western economies — including ours — simply cannot sustain oil above $120 for long. If this conflict escalates and the Strait is closed, the global economy could unravel.

The strike also raises questions about regime stability. Will it spark an uprising, or will the Islamic regime respond with a brutal crackdown on dissidents?

Early signs aren’t hopeful. Reports suggest hundreds of arrests over the weekend and at least one dissident executed on charges of spying for Israel. The regime’s infamous morality police, the Gasht-e Ershad, are back on the streets. Every phone, every vehicle — monitored. The U.S. embassy in Qatar issued a shelter-in-place warning for Americans.

Russia and China both condemned the strike. On Monday, a senior Iranian official flew to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin. That meeting should alarm anyone paying attention. Their alliance continues to deepen — and that’s a serious concern.

Now we pray

We are either on the verge of a remarkable strategic victory or a devastating global escalation. Time will tell. But either way, President Trump didn’t start this. He inherited it — and he took decisive action.

The difference is, he did what they all said they would do. He didn’t send pallets of cash in the dead of night. He didn’t sign another failed treaty.

He acted. Now, we pray. For peace, for wisdom, and for the strength to meet whatever comes next.

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​Opinion & analysis, Iran, Iran nuclear deal, Airstrikes, Retaliation, War, Hamas, Hezbollah, Russia, China, Terrorism, Ayatollah ali khamenei, Massive ordnance penetrator, Fordow, Tehran, Qatar, Operation midnight hammer, Hostage crisis 

The deaths of an elderly couple and their dog last year occurred after an argument over a cheap hot dog at a nudist resort in California, according to recent police testimony.

Michael Sparks, 62, was arrested on Aug. 29, 2024. The San Bernardino County District Attorney stated that Sparks was hit with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of 79-year-old Daniel Menard and his 73-year-old wife, Stephanie Menard.

‘Chopped up my neighbors. Didn’t know I had it in me. SNAPPED.’

Sparks had been neighbors with the elderly couple at the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort in Colton.

According to Patch, the couple disappeared from their home on Aug. 24, 2024.

Redlands Police Detective Thomas Williams last week testified at a preliminary hearing at the San Bernardino Justice Center that following his arrest, Sparks told a fellow inmate what happened.

“[The inmate] said Mr. Sparks told him the incident started over a hot dog that Daniel Menard had purchased for him,” Williams stated, according to the Press-Enterprise. “He said Mr. Sparks felt that the hot dog was a jab at him, making him feel like he was worth only a dollar hot dog, and that’s what set him off that day.”

Williams added that the inmate said Sparks “went outside and struck Mr. Menard in the head until his head caved in. Mrs. Menard came out yelling, ‘No! No!’ and then he began striking Mrs. Menard and Mr. Menard with a rake, a hoe, and a hammer.”

According to Williams, Sparks brought the bodies of the elderly couple into a concrete bunker he had built underneath his trailer.

RELATED: ‘Monster’ learns his fate for killing 2-year-old girl; officials say he ‘completely severed’ toddler’s spine

Citing an alleged conversation between Sparks and another inmate, the Press-Enterprise reported that Sparks admitted he had “dismembered” Stephanie Menard and “mutilated” Daniel Menard.

Detective Williams said police found dismembered body parts of the elderly couple in several black plastic bags and an orange Home Depot bucket just days after they went missing.

In addition, Fox News reported that Sparks told an inmate he had drowned the couple’s Shih Tzu dog Cuddles in a sink. Sparks allegedly left the dog’s body outside for coyotes to eat.

Witness Gale Heidelberg testified in court that she worked with Sparks when he had a job as a truck driver.

Heidelberg told San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney Sean Han during the hearing that she had a text message exchange after seeing Sparks’ neighborhood on a local news broadcast regarding the missing couple.

Heidelberg allegedly texted Sparks, “I am watching news. Something going on where you live. Are you in town?”

Sparks reportedly replied, “It’s me. Committing suicide today. Take care. Bye.”

Heidelberg purportedly responded frantically, “Wait. What’s going on? Where are you?”

Sparks allegedly texted back, “Chopped up my neighbors. Didn’t know I had it in me. SNAPPED.”

RELATED: ‘King of the Hill’ voice actor allegedly shot dead by neighbor; tributes pour in: ‘A terrible tragedy’

Witness Wayne Marinelli — who had to compose himself during his court appearance — testified that he searched for the elderly couple but instead saw Sparks washing out a 55-gallon drum that seemed to have blood inside it, according to the Press-Enterprise.

Resident John Hillis reportedly testified that he was “best friends” with the Menards. Hillis said Stephanie Menard had muscular dystrophy and needed a cane to walk while Daniel Menard had been suffering from dementia.

Hillis noted in court that he became worried on Aug. 25, 2024, when Stephanie did not make her typical call to him to pick them up to bring them to church.

Hillis looked for the couple and said their Chrysler Sebring was in a driveway with the keys in the ignition. Hillis went inside the Menard’s home to locate them since the elderly couple allegedly provided him with a key to their house.

Hillis told the courtroom that he noticed Stephanie’s purse and Daniel’s wallet were inside the home. However, Hillis was most alarmed that Stephanie’s cane also was inside the home, the Press-Enterprise reported.

“She doesn’t cross the threshold of the door without the cane,” Hillis said in court.

The Press-Enterprise noted that what “ultimately” set off Sparks was his “humiliation over a hot dog.”

Sparks eventually was charged with animal cruelty for the alleged drowning of the dog.

Sparks has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

District Attorney Jason Anderson did not reveal if he will seek the death penalty against Sparks, according to the Press-Enterprise.

Sparks is currently being held without bail.

Sparks reportedly is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

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​Hot dogs, Strange news, Weird news, Odd news, Dogs, Animals, Crime, Murder charge, Animal cruelty charge, California, Nudist colony