War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military would not and could not hide a combat death, pushing back on a Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/09/18/more-us-troops-have-died-amid-iran-war-has-disclosed-publicly/">report</a> that American fatalities in the Iran war exceed what the Pentagon has publicly disclosed.
&#8220;Even if we wanted to attempt to hide a combat death, we never would and we never could,&#8221; Hegseth told an OAN reporter. &#8220;We never would because of how much we cherish the lives of our service members — every single one of them.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Exclusive: “Even if we wanted to attempt to hide a combat death, we never would and we never could.” &#8211; <a href="https://x.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> Hegseth responds to allegations of more service member deaths in Iran than reported.
“We never would because of how much we cherish the lives of our service members -… <a href="https://t.co/j5SuZR1yIt">pic.twitter.com/j5SuZR1yIt</a>
— Alexandra Ingersoll (@AlexIngersoll) <a href="https://x.com/AlexIngersoll/status/2101479002393158063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
The Post reported Friday, citing six officials familiar with the War Department&#8217;s internal casualty accounting, that at least 22 troops have died since the war with Iran began in February — four more than 18 <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/24/pentagon-removed-four-official-iran-war-death-toll.html">listed</a> in the Pentagon&#8217;s public Defense Casualty Analysis System, or DCAS. One official put the toll at 23 and said some of the additional deaths were not directly caused by combat but involved personnel deployed to the Middle East during the fighting. The Post said the Pentagon declined to address the discrepancy before publication.
Hegseth denounced the story on X the day it ran, calling it &#8220;DISGUSTING and FAKE&#8221; and &#8220;a complete LIE&#8221; and said the paper was &#8220;worse than Iranian state media.&#8221; A Washington Post spokeswoman said afterward that the outlet stands by its reporting.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is DISGUSTING and FAKE. A complete LIE.
Shame on the Washington Post — they’re worse than Iranian state media. <a href="https://t.co/vU9OkSOnLB">https://t.co/vU9OkSOnLB</a>
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://x.com/PeteHegseth/status/2101054654033359122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
The clash reopens a fight over the Pentagon&#8217;s bookkeeping that first surfaced in July, when the DCAS&#8217;s public death toll briefly dropped from 18 to 14 after the four most recent fatalities were reclassified. Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez attributed* the change to &#8220;temporary data disruptions&#8221; on the department&#8217;s website. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) <a href="https://x.com/RepThomasMassie/status/2080462422838505555">accused</a> the Pentagon of splitting the conflict into two wars on paper to sidestep congressional reporting requirements, and Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats separately <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jul/28/pentagon-shifts-4-iran-war-deaths-overseas-operations-category-senate/">asked</a> Hegseth for a complete accounting of the dead and wounded. DCAS now lists 14 deaths under the war&#8217;s original designation, Operation Epic Fury, and four more under a newer &#8220;Overseas Operations&#8221; category covering fatalities since fighting resumed in July.
The identities of the additional service members named in the Post&#8217;s reporting, along with the timing and circumstances of their deaths, have not been made public.

Secretary Hegseth Hosts National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony At The Pentagon

‘Complete Lie’: Hegseth Torches WaPo Report On Hidden Iran War Casualties

department of defense

iran

pete hegseth

politics

the washington post

us military casualties

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives is officially out of session until after the midterm elections, sending lawmakers home to campaign and leaving a long list of unfinished business waiting for them when they return to Washington.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) canceled Thursday’s scheduled votes and closed the chamber one day earlier than planned on Wednesday. House members are not expected back until after the November 3 elections, meaning the legislative phase of the midterm cycle has effectively given way to the campaign phase.
Johnson <a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-recess-johnson-massie-impeachment-hegseth-epstein-3ace27e682dd85c0146df79189be119c">defended</a> the decision by arguing that the House has already &#8220;done its work&#8221; and that members should return to their districts to make their case to voters. He has described the current Congress as one of the most productive in the institution’s history, pointing to hundreds of bills passed by the House and major legislation including President Donald Trump’s tax-and-spending package.
But the early exit also means lawmakers will spend the final weeks before Election Day unable to change their legislative records in the chamber. And there is plenty waiting for them when they return. The most immediate unresolved fight is over War Secretary Pete Hegseth and the war in Iran.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bitter-thomas-massie-tries-to-torpedo-hegseth-on-his-way-out-the-door">filed eight articles of impeachment</a> against Hegseth Tuesday, accusing the War secretary of violating the War Powers Resolution by continuing military operations in Iran without congressional authorization. The resolution is privileged, meaning Massie can force the House to take it up under the chamber’s rules. Johnson has said the resolution will ultimately be tabled, dismissing Massie’s effort as a “publicity stunt.”
The House will also return with the Iran war itself still unresolved. On Tuesday, the chamber <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-powers-resolution-8519dae8197214b4edf2192e174c82f4">voted</a> 220-204 to direct the administration to end U.S. military involvement in the conflict, with seven Republicans joining every voting Democrat. It was the third House vote seeking to end the hostilities. The votes have put a small but growing group of Republicans on record against the administration’s handling of the war, while Republican leaders have continued defending the president’s authority to conduct the campaign.
Then there is the Epstein investigation. Massie and other lawmakers have been pushing for the Justice Department to release additional files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Massie complained Wednesday that the early departure would make it more difficult to collect the 218 signatures needed to force consideration of a discharge petition compelling action on the files.
The House Oversight Committee has also continued its investigation. On Tuesday, the committee voted on a bipartisan basis to advance a resolution recommending that the House hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas connected to its investigation into the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases.
Artificial intelligence is another major issue that will wait for Congress. The House did take action on the issue Wednesday, passing the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act by a 417-3 vote. The legislation would require data centers to bear the costs of new electricity and transmission infrastructure associated with their operations rather than shifting those costs onto other ratepayers.
But that is far short of the broader debate over AI regulation that lawmakers have been demanding. More than 100 House Democrats had <a href="https://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases/over-hundred-house-democrats-demand-congress-stay-session-confront-ai-crisis">urged</a> Johnson to keep Congress in session to address AI safeguards. Johnson has rejected calls for a moratorium on AI development, arguing that slowing the industry could undermine the United States’ ability to compete with China.
“If I called an emergency session today and I brought everybody in the House and said, ‘Let’s regulate AI,’ nobody in the room knows yet what that should look like,” Johnson said Tuesday.
The House also leaves behind an unresolved intelligence fight: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the government to conduct surveillance targeting certain foreign persons overseas, <a href="https://legis1.com/news/fisa-section-702-expires-surveillance-authority">lapsed in June</a> after Congress failed to agree on a reauthorization. Existing FISA Court certifications remain in effect for a period of time, but Congress still faces the question of whether and how to restore the statutory authority.
Lawmakers will eventually have to return to the regular business of funding the federal government.
Congress avoided an immediate government shutdown earlier this month when it passed and President Trump signed a continuing resolution funding the government through December 11. That pushed the next major appropriations deadline beyond the midterms, guaranteeing that lawmakers will face another funding fight when they return.
The House did manage to clear several significant measures before leaving.
On Wednesday, it <a href="https://abcnews.com/Politics/house-passes-russia-iran-sanctions-bill-championed-sen/story?id=136510615">passed</a> the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a 262-159 vote, sending the legislation to Trump. The bill would impose additional sanctions on Russia and Iran and authorize the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue purchasing Russian energy.
The House also passed the data center legislation and other measures during its final day. But those votes were followed by the chamber’s early departure — and a sharp confrontation over what Congress should have been doing instead.

Mike Johnson

House Of Reps Shuts Down Until After The Midterms. What Will They Come Back To?

government shutdown

jeffrey epstein

mike johnson

thomas massie

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is taking one of his most aggressive shots at the Trump administration since his failed reelection bid, filing eight articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Tuesday and forcing House Republicans to vote on whether to remove the Pentagon chief.
Massie introduced the privileged resolution on the House floor, accusing Hegseth of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors” through his handling of the war in Iran, military operations in Yemen and the Caribbean, the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and his <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hegseth-moves-to-strip-mark-kelly-of-rank-and-pay-over-seditious-military-video">treatment of Sen. Mark Kelly</a> (D-AZ).
Because Massie filed the resolution as privileged, the House must take it up within two legislative days. Republicans control the chamber, meaning GOP leaders could move to table the resolution rather than advance it toward an impeachment trial. The impeachment push represents a remarkable escalation in the long-running feud between Massie and the Trump administration, a conflict that has already cost Massie his congressional seat in an embarrassing primary rout.
Massie <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-machine-topples-thomas-massie">lost the Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District</a> in May to Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL backed by President Donald Trump. Hegseth personally traveled to Kentucky the day before the primary to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-pete-hegseth-recreates-trump-pep-talk-word-for-word">campaign for Gallrein</a>, an unusual intervention by a sitting Pentagon chief.
Gallrein defeated Massie 55% to 45%, according to the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s <a href="https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/liveresults?autorefresh=true&amp;id=2">report</a> on the final vote. Massie is now serving out the remainder of his congressional term. Massie has spent much of the year flailing at the administration; now, his impeachment resolution makes his dispute over the handling of the Iran conflict the centerpiece of its first three articles.
The first article of impeachment alleges that Hegseth initiated the Iran war without a declaration of war, statutory authorization, an attack on the United States, or an imminent threat. The second accuses him of defying congressional directives to withdraw U.S. forces from Iran, while the third alleges that Hegseth continued hostilities after the expiration of the War Powers Resolution’s statutory time limits. Massie’s remaining articles broaden the case considerably. One accuses Hegseth of failing to minimize civilian casualties, and another alleges “extrajudicial killing” in connection with U.S. strikes against suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
The sixth accuses Hegseth of retaliating against Kelly over a video in which Kelly and other lawmakers told members of the military they had an obligation to refuse illegal orders. Massie characterizes Hegseth’s response as an unconstitutional effort to suppress protected speech.
The seventh article targets Hegseth’s involvement in the January operation that led to Maduro&#8217;s capture and extradition. Massie alleges that the operation lacked constitutional or legal authority. 
The eighth focuses on the administration’s military campaign in Yemen, accusing Hegseth of initiating Operation Rough Rider without congressional authorization or an imminent threat to the United States and of violating war-powers reporting requirements.
“These constitutional violations extend beyond the illegal war in Iran,” Massie said after reading the resolution. He accused Hegseth of “abusing the power of his office” and said Congress must not “turn a blind eye” to what he characterized as unconstitutional and illegal actions. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson rejected that characterization, telling <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/09/15/g-s1-143407/massie-impeach-hegseth-iran">NPR</a> that Hegseth has been a “transformative leader” and that &#8220;the entire department is unified behind&#8221; Hegseth&#8217;s leadership.
Massie’s effort is not the first attempt to impeach Hegseth this year; House Democrats <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/iran-war-pete-hegseth-congress-impeachment-articles-democrats-reflecting-search-interest-order">introduced six articles</a> against the secretary in April, including allegations related to the Iran war and other conduct.

Rep. Thomas Massie

Thomas Massie Tries To Torpedo Hegseth On His Way Out The Door

impeachment

war powers act

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have enlisted an Army doctor to investigate whether COVID-19 vaccines contributed to the deaths of U.S. service members, according to newly revealed court testimony.
Dr. Theresa Long, an Army physician who is certified in aerospace medicine and holds a master’s degree in public health, told a federal court in an August deposition that Hegseth appointed her as Kennedy’s senior medical military adviser. Long’s testimony was first reported by <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/03/rfk-jr-covid-vaccines-pentagon-defense-injuries-01063921">Politico</a> on Thursday, which obtained the deposition from an ongoing federal lawsuit involving former Defense Department health official Terry Adirim. 
Long is examining 2,544 reported but unverified deaths among service members that were submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to determine whether they were caused by COVID vaccination.
Long said Kennedy and Hegseth tasked her with investigating the military’s health surveillance system during the pandemic as well as two military medical databases. She told the court that she hoped to complete her research into potential vaccine complications “within a year.”
Long also testified that she personally knows of 28 people who died because of the COVID vaccine, though she said she was not permitted to provide additional details about those cases. The investigation comes as the Trump administration has taken a series of steps to revisit the Biden administration’s COVID vaccine mandate for members of the armed forces.
Hegseth established the <a href="https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4482439/statement-by-chief-pentagon-spokesman-sean-parnell-on-establishment-of-the-depa/">COVID-19 Reinstatement and Reconciliation Task Force</a> in May to assist service members who were removed from the military over the vaccine requirement and seek to return. The Pentagon said nearly 170 service members had been reinstated or re-accessed as of April, while more than 800 additional former service members had expressed interest in returning.
The Department of War has also conducted its own studies examining health conditions among active-duty personnel following COVID vaccination. A March 2026 <a href="https://www.health.mil/Reference-Center/Reports/2026/03/09/Report-on-Health-Conditions?TSPD_101_R0=086018a9cfab2000b7c64cb55067076a2c05c787549950df3d14641e243806e8c332e3f875dc32bd0844f944491430009721661740258aa3e7dd4db706351d757c00b2c2b2ed12a6b24e4159ad60925c4bd1c05bb55e53fcc6172e37f6610e49">Pentagon report</a> found that myocarditis and pericarditis increased in the short term following vaccination, but said the increase was not sustained over a one-year period. The report also found that the increase was small compared with rates following COVID infection. Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, has been identified as a rare adverse event associated with mRNA COVID vaccines, particularly among younger males.
Long, however, has questioned some of the military’s underlying health data and told the court she was reviewing it again as part of her assignment. The 2,544 deaths under examination come from VAERS, which is designed as an early-warning system for possible vaccine safety problems. The database accepts reports of health problems occurring after vaccination, including reports in which the person submitting the information is uncertain whether the vaccine caused the event.
The Biden administration’s military vaccine mandate required service members to receive the COVID vaccine, and the Pentagon ultimately discharged more than 8,000 troops who refused the shots before Congress required the Department of Defense to rescind the mandate in 2022.
Kennedy has repeatedly criticized the mandate and argued that requiring service members to receive the COVID vaccine violated their rights.
Now, Long’s investigation will examine the health records and military surveillance data surrounding the vaccine’s use among service members, including whether some deaths previously reported after vaccination can be tied to the shots themselves.

MixCollage-19-Aug-2025-07-42-AM-5614

RFK Jr. And Pete Hegseth Open Investigation Into Army COVID Vax Over Unverified Deaths

covid19 vaccine

robert f kennedy jr

united states army

vaccine adverse event reporting system

President Donald Trump moved quickly to fill the void created with the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, naming seasoned Washington operator Adam Telle to take the reins as acting Army secretary.
Telle, who currently serves as the assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, is no stranger to high-stakes political battles. A Capitol Hill veteran with more than two decades of service alongside Republican heavyweights, Telle previously pulled double duty as Trump’s top Senate liaison during his first administration. He played a crucial role in pushing through landmark achievements like the Abraham Accords and the historic launch of the U.S. Space Force.
Trump praised his new military chief as a &#8220;Great Patriot, who is respected by all.&#8221; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quickly chimed in on X, calling Telle &#8220;strong and whip smart&#8221; and predicting he will be an &#8220;immediate asset&#8221; to America&#8217;s soldiers.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Huge congrats to Adam. Strong and whip smart. He is indeed a great Patriot — and will be an immediate asset to the <a href="https://x.com/USArmy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USArmy</a>. <a href="https://t.co/AOOlUgw4E6">https://t.co/AOOlUgw4E6</a>
&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://x.com/PeteHegseth/status/2095648650034593910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Driscoll submitted his <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trumps-army-secretary-makes-surprise-move-after-reported-hegseth-clash">resignation</a> to Trump on Monday after reportedly butting heads with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for months. His departure came as the United States is six months into the Iran war, and American forces came under Iranian missile fire over the weekend after the U.S. struck Iranian launchers near the Strait of Hormuz.
Telle’s rise through the ranks has been fueled by a steady hand and deep legislative know-how. Before taking over civil works, where he manages major infrastructure initiatives, flood defense systems, and navigation waterways across the country, he served as chief of staff to Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN). His extensive resume also includes managing a massive $70 billion portfolio for the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee and steering major policy and national security priorities for the late Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran, leading critical recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
When Trump first nominated him for his civil works role back in March 2025, Telle breezed through his Senate confirmation with a decisive 72–22 vote, earning backing from key industry groups along the way. All 22 votes against him came from Democrats, plus so-called independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Hailing from rural Northport, Alabama, Telle earned degrees in computer science and communication from Mississippi State University, where he also served as student body president.
Now, the married father of two will run the greatest fighting army in the world.

US-POLITICS-TRUMP-DEPARTURE

Trump Names New Acting Head Of U.S. Army

adam telle

dan driscoll

donald trump

War Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly favors chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell to replace ex-Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, but President Donald Trump has not publicly disclosed a shortlist for the job.
Hegseth, according to a CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-favors-sean-parnell-army-secretary-sources/">report</a> out on Thursday, considers Parnell, an Army Ranger veteran, his preferred candidate.
The Department of War would not confirm the report, telling the outlet, &#8220;The DOW doesn&#8217;t comment on private conversations between administration officials.&#8221;
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is reportedly heading up the search for Driscoll&#8217;s successor and is reviewing potential candidates.
Driscoll <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trumps-army-secretary-makes-surprise-move-after-reported-hegseth-clash">announced</a> his resignation on Monday following reports that he had spent months at odds with Hegseth.
“Secretary Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army,&#8221; White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said following his departure.
Parnell, prior to serving as Pentagon spokesman, served in Afghanistan and commanded what his War Department bio describes as &#8220;one of the most decorated units in the history of the Afghanistan War.&#8221;
&#8220;During his 16-month deployment, he was awarded numerous honors for his extraordinary service, including two Bronze Stars (one for valor) and the Purple Heart,&#8221; it continued. &#8220;Eighty-five percent of his platoon received Purple Hearts for wounds incurred in battle.&#8221;
After being medically retired from the Army, Parnell told his story in the best-selling book &#8220;Outlaw Platoon.&#8221;
Parnell later ran for U.S. Senate in his home state of Pennsylvania with Trump&#8217;s endorsement, but ultimately suspended his campaign during a contentious divorce that included accusations of abuse. He denied the allegations from the beginning.
In a subsequent social media post about his family court case, Parnell said he had been &#8220;vindicated.&#8221;

Army Officials Testify In Senate Hearing On Defense Authorization Request For 2026

A Decorated War Veteran Could Be Next To Lead The Army

Here's Who Could Replace Dan Driscoll As Army Secretary

department of war

sean parnell

A dark web identity theft service is allegedly selling digital scans of more than 153 million American and Canadian drivers&#8217; licenses, prompting the FBI to launch an investigation into what could be one of the largest exposures of government-issued identification documents ever reported.
Independent cybersecurity journalist Brian Krebs <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2026/09/fbi-probes-service-selling-153m-drivers-licenses/">discovered</a> the trove after a newly launched service called Nexus was advertised on a Russian cybercrime forum. The service claimed to possess more than 170 million identity documents, including more than 153 million drivers&#8217; licenses, 10 million identification cards, more than three million travel documents, and hundreds of thousands of medical cards.
Krebs was initially alerted to the operation because the service was offering his own Virginia driver’s license as a free sample. He subsequently located the licenses of numerous other people and was able to verify that several of the records corresponded to real-world instances in which the individuals had presented their identification.
Among the records available through Nexus was a scan of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s driver’s license, according to Krebs. The database also contained identification belonging to other high-profile individuals, including even more government officials.
The database reportedly contained detailed images of identification documents rather than merely names or license numbers, potentially giving criminals access to photographs, addresses, dates of birth, document numbers, and other identifying information. 
The FBI confirmed Wednesday that it was investigating the incident. “The FBI is aware of this report and is looking into the incident,” the bureau said in a statement, declining to provide additional details because of the “ongoing nature of the investigation,” according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-says-it-is-investigating-report-that-millions-us-drivers-licenses-exposed-2026-09-02/">Reuters</a>.
Krebs found evidence suggesting the database may be connected to a Louisiana-based identity verification company called IDScan.net, although neither the company nor the FBI has publicly confirmed that it was the source of the stolen information.
The evidence came partly from timestamps embedded in some of the stolen images. Krebs found his own license in the database, along with his mother’s, with timestamps only seconds apart. The two had handed their licenses to a Hertz representative during a car rental.
Another security researcher, Zach Edwards, found his own license in the database and said its timestamp corresponded with a trip to Las Vegas. Edwards had presented his identification at several locations during the trip, but said the only place that definitively scanned his ID was a Planet 13 marijuana dispensary.
Planet 13 announced in 2022 that it had entered into an identity-verification agreement with IDScan.net. The company says its technology is used by businesses to scan and authenticate government-issued identification documents.
IDScan.net’s website says its technology processes more than 21 million identity verifications each month at more than 20,000 locations. Its listed customers and partners have included major companies such as Hertz, FedEx, and others.
The stolen records also contained infrared and ultraviolet images of some licenses, in addition to ordinary scans of the front and back of the documents. Those details further suggested that the information came from commercial identity-verification systems capable of capturing more sophisticated images of identification documents.
The apparent breach seems to be ongoing. When Krebs first examined Nexus, the service claimed to have more than 153 million drivers&#8217; licenses. The number increased by nearly 400,000 records over approximately 24 hours, suggesting that the database was allegedly being continually fed with newly stolen information rather than being a one-time dump of old records.
Cybersecurity researcher Edwards called the scale of the incident unprecedented. “There’s never been a breach of drivers&#8217; licenses at this scale,” Edwards said.
The database disappeared from the dark web shortly after Krebs published his investigation. Its login page was replaced with a message stating, “This service is no longer available.”
It remains unclear how many people were actually affected or whether all of the records originated from the same source. The 153 million figure is the number claimed by the operators of Nexus, rather than a figure independently confirmed by the FBI.
IDScan.net told Krebs that it was investigating the matter but did not provide a substantive public explanation of whether its systems had been compromised or how many individuals may have been affected.
The FBI’s investigation remains ongoing.

Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth Among Millions Caught Up In Massive Dark Web Scheme

dark web

data breach

identity theft

Thai authorities have planned a crackdown on prostitution ahead of the arrival of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier carrying roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines who have spent more than 260 consecutive days at sea.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is scheduled to dock Wednesday near Thailand’s resort city of Pattaya, a major tourist destination known for its nightlife. The carrier’s crew has spent months at sea with only <a href="https://www.ms.now/news/destroyers-uss-lincoln-strike-group">two port calls</a>. The deployment has set a modern-era record for consecutive days at sea without a port call, several media outlets reported.
In preparation for the arrival, local police have stepped up patrols around Pattaya’s main beachfront and nightlife district. The coastal city is lined with resort hotels, high-rise condominiums, shopping malls, and 24-hour clubs. Authorities in recent days have arrested between 40 and 50 people on suspicion of prostitution, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/uss-abraham-lincoln-pattaya-prostitution-thailand-b3042016.html">The Independent </a>reported.
The aircraft carrier sailed past Singapore over the weekend on its way back to the U.S. following a lengthy deployment in the Middle East. The Lincoln will dock at nearby Laem Chabang alongside two other Navy vessels, allowing sailors and Marines to reset after grueling months at sea. Local officials expect the visit to boost the local economy while also preparing for a potential uptick in illicit activity.
“We are doing our best, but it is difficult,” Pattaya Police Chief Anek Srathongyoo said Monday, according to the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/uss-abraham-lincoln-pattaya-prostitution-thailand-b3042016.html">Independent. </a>
Prostitution is illegal in Thailand, but penalties are rarely enforced; sex workers continue to operate openly in major tourist hubs such as Bangkok and Pattaya.
The Lincoln departed its home port of San Diego in November 2025 before being redirected to the Middle East to support U.S. military operations, setting a record for the longest uninterrupted deployment at sea, the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carriers-uss-abraham-lincoln-washington-iran-5366eba29f72b6b317416fde81d57a61">Associated Press reported.</a> Democratic lawmakers have seized on reports of <a href="https://x.com/PeteHegseth/status/2088018764218409338?s=20">declining morale</a>, <a href="https://x.com/PolitlcsGlobal/status/2088961622706356500?s=20">deteriorating conditions</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/RubenGallego/status/2094435806542774537?s=20">poor food</a> to criticize the U.S. military campaign.
“Some deployments are longer than others, and I have more respect and gratitude for those sailors than anybody,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in August. “What they do in those high seas and those austere conditions with less port calls, it&#8217;s incredible. Americans don&#8217;t understand what it&#8217;s like to do that.”
“I feel it. I want them home as soon as everybody else. I want folks rotated as quickly as possible. I want the best for them,” Hegseth added. 
The prolonged deployment, however, has fueled concerns over the crew’s mental health following reports that the ship has experienced suicide attempts, including crew members attempting to jump overboard, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/12/uss-abraham-lincoln-overboard-extended-deployment">The Guardian</a> reported. The Navy has disputed these reports.  
In August, Trump said another ship was on its way to provide relief, but quipped that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier had been deployed for <a href="https://x.com/nypost/status/2088351535637950683?s=20">“not nearly long enough.”</a>
The Lincoln is expected to return to its home port in San Diego following its stop in Thailand, though an exact arrival date has not yet been set.
“We are so grateful for their dedication of that crew and others; they&#8217;ve held the line for the country, and they&#8217;ve done fantastic stuff,” Hegseth said.

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Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump on Monday after reportedly butting heads with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for months.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that Driscoll is expected to leave the Pentagon in the coming days, potentially ending the tenure of a key player in Trump’s military overhaul at a time when the United States is already juggling a war with Iran.
Driscoll wasn’t exactly a background player in Trump’s Pentagon.
The Army veteran has helped carry out the administration’s push to put readiness and lethality back at the center of the military. He was also trusted with an assignment that had little to do with his official Army job when Trump sent him into the Russia-Ukraine diplomatic fight last year.
Then there’s Vice President JD Vance.
Driscoll and the vice president go way back. They were classmates at Yale Law School and remain close friends, a relationship that reportedly became another source of tension between Driscoll and Hegseth.
His resignation lands at a particularly busy moment for Hegseth’s Pentagon. The United States is six months into the Iran war, and American forces came under Iranian missile fire over the weekend after the U.S. struck Iranian launchers near the Strait of Hormuz.
Driscoll’s potential departure would also be the latest change at the top of the Army. Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George earlier this year. George had worked closely with Driscoll.
The White House, meanwhile, made clear there’s no bad blood on its end.
“Secretary Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.
Kelly credited Driscoll with providing leadership during major military operations, restoring the Army’s focus on “readiness and lethality,” and helping with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is pushing back on a report that he has been privately discussing a potential 2028 presidential run, calling the claim “100% false” and accusing NBC News of ignoring his denial.
“100% false. We told NBC that, but they just lie w/ anonymous ‘sources,’” Hegseth wrote on X Friday. The response came hours after <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2028-election/pete-hegseth-talking-possible-run-president-2028-sources-say-rcna594891">NBC News</a> reported that Hegseth had discussed the possibility of running for president with his wife, friends and colleagues in conversations over the past several months.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell chimed in as well, telling <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/pete-hegseth-denies-report-hes-considering-a-2028-run-what-polls-show-12383032">Newsweek</a>, “Secretary Hegseth is not running for President, and his main priority is leading the War Department. All other speculation is foolish.” The NBC report nevertheless fueled speculation about Hegseth’s political future, particularly after he <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pete-hegseth-iowa-campaign-zach-nunn/">traveled to Iowa</a> earlier this month to campaign for Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA).
Hegseth attended the Iowa State Fair in what the Pentagon described as a personal-capacity trip to support Nunn, who is seeking reelection. The appearance drew attention because Iowa traditionally plays a prominent role in the Republican presidential nominating process. NBC&#8217;s Courtney Kube described the fair as &#8220;a place where candidates go and showcase themselves in advance of a big run,&#8221; and Hegseth was received &#8220;like a rock star&#8221; at both the Iowa and Kentucky events.
The Iowa appearance was Hegseth’s second campaign-related trip this year. He previously traveled to Kentucky in May to campaign for Ed Gallrein, the Trump-endorsed primary challenger who went on to defeat Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).
Those appearances, combined with Hegseth’s national profile as a former Fox News host and his position as one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent Cabinet officials, have made him a natural subject of 2028 speculation. But Hegseth is now unequivocally denying that he is preparing to seek the White House. The speculation comes as Republicans increasingly look toward the post-Trump era, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio among the most frequently discussed potential candidates.
Neither Vance nor Rubio has formally launched a 2028 presidential campaign. Vance has said he will make decisions about his political future after the 2026 midterm elections, while Rubio has indicated that he would support Vance if the vice president seeks the Republican nomination.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), has also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-weighs-in-on-potential-ted-cruz-presidential-run">publicly acknowledged</a> interest in a future presidential campaign, saying “It’s no secret that I want to be president.” Trump later responded fairly positively to the idea, “Yeah, I would say that he’s very talented. He’s a very good friend of mine. I think he might do that. Yeah, he’s a very talented — he’s a talented guy.”
Before joining Fox News, Hegseth briefly sought the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota in 2012 before withdrawing from the race. For now, however, Hegseth says his ambitions are focused elsewhere, “My only job: Make @DeptofWar Great Again.”

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Hegseth Breaks Silence On 2028 Speculation

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War Secretary Pete Hegseth&#8217;s visit to Iowa is fueling speculation that he could be testing the waters for a 2028 presidential run.
Officials familiar with Hegseth’s thinking told the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/17/hegseth-travels-iowa-his-personal-capacity-amid-2028-speculation/">Washington Post</a> that the Iowa visit fits the actions of someone considering a run for president after his time in the Trump administration ends. One of those officials, speaking anonymously, described the trip as something of a test run for a possible 2028 bid.
Iowa&#8217;s longstanding role as an early presidential proving ground has added to the speculation surrounding Hegseth&#8217;s visit.
Hegseth traveled to the state in his personal capacity and appeared with several House and Senate Republicans. The Pentagon confirmed that he traveled aboard a U.S. military aircraft because he is designated a “required use” traveler.
That status requires Hegseth to use military aircraft for official and personal travel because of the need for secure communications and transportation associated with his national security responsibilities.
Hegseth appeared Monday alongside Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), where he praised Nunn and defended continued American involvement in the war with Iran.
He also appeared alongside Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), the Republican nominee for the open Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, and was expected to appear with Rep. Mariannette Miller Meeks (R-IA).
The appearances come as Republicans work to hold ground in a state where recent polling has shown tighter races than in previous cycles.
<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/hegseth-iowa-campaign-midterms-2028-b3035168.html">The Independent</a> noted that previous defense secretaries largely stayed out of overt political campaigning while in the job. Hegseth has aligned himself closely with President Donald Trump’s policy goals and has taken a more active role supporting Republican candidates while continuing to promote the administration’s national security priorities.
Other administration figures were also in Iowa this week, including U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and Small Business Administration head Kelly Loeffler. Their visits coincided with the Iowa State Fair, a traditional gathering that draws both statewide candidates and national political figures.
The fair routinely attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and has long served as an important stop for politicians looking to connect with Iowa voters.
Ernst’s decision to retire has made Iowa&#8217;s Senate race a major focus this year. Hinson is running against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, as both parties battle for control of the Senate.
Hegseth has not publicly announced plans to run for president in 2028.
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Defense Secretary Hegseth And Joint Chiefs Chairman Caine Brief Media At Pentagon

Hegseth’s Iowa Trip Raises Early Questions About 2028

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When I got my first tattoo at 20, my dad offered me $1,000 to wait a year before getting it. Obviously I did the rock ‘n’ roll thing and screamed, “You can’t control my life, Dad!”
Not actually. But after two days of pondering how much I could use the money, I decided to turn down his proposal and get the small $100 flower tattoo on my ankle.
Almost two years later, my boyfriend at the time broke up with me because of it.
“It’s like putting a bumper sticker on a Bentley,” he told me.
“So you think I’m a Bentley?” I said.
There’s a stereotype that liberals are the cool, artsy ones making the indie movies and writing the good music while conservatives are the cargo short-wearing, blue-collar men and stoic “trad wife” women. Yet, as conservatives slowly get their footing back in the culture as the rebellious cool kids who hold to tradition, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/you-should-never-take-up-smoking-unless-you-want-to-look-really-cool" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dailywire.com/news/you-should-never-take-up-smoking-unless-you-want-to-look-really-cool&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3VeFPDFQEfyFd-3oQ46uqv">smoke cigarettes</a>, and<a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/01/william-f-buckley-jr-ivy-league-look/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/01/william-f-buckley-jr-ivy-league-look/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Ley14kazx4jlEYTHOK5kO"> wear double-breasted suits</a>, there’s one more ingredient needed to ensure that conservatives take back the culture in a defiant American way: tattoos.
Tattoos have always had a stigma. I mean, the Greek root of “stigma” <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigma" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigma&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PUbtpi8AXW5FHFEVwSEAy">comes from</a> the word “stizein,” meaning “tattoo” or “to prick.” Modern tattoos have been a symbol of <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mar.20727?utm" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mar.20727?utm&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2QoQZKeXem6Aft1QM_dX3h">rebellion</a> and counterculture due to the social outcasts who helped mobilize their popularity. Gang members, jail inmates, skater bros, and musicians wore tattoos <a href="https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/tattoos-and-piercing?" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/tattoos-and-piercing?&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1_XHBJ5xXRdCgGytvpMgO8">starting in the &#8217;60s</a> as a middle finger to mainstream values.
The hippie movement helped the American youth view tattoos as a sign of self-expression and identity. Yet, tattoos delayed hitting the mainstream until the &#8217;80s since they still signified that you were more likely to end up in a jail cell than a church pew.
Thanks to <a href="https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/tattoos-and-piercing?" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/tattoos-and-piercing?&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1_XHBJ5xXRdCgGytvpMgO8">Music Television (MTV) and the AIDS epidemic</a>, businesses heavily advertised the cleanliness of their equipment to help combat the fear of HIV. Marketing strategies paired with the counterculture body art <a href="https://medium.com/@itsrosiesaunders/the-1980s-were-all-about-tribal-blackwork-single-needle-tattoos-and-the-emergence-of-new-a74cdb363cd1" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://medium.com/@itsrosiesaunders/the-1980s-were-all-about-tribal-blackwork-single-needle-tattoos-and-the-emergence-of-new-a74cdb363cd1&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3F6T-VlKPh2WsWiwk-Jb_R">displayed on MTV</a> allowed the youth to see how they could get tattoos and be just like their heroes. The tatted stars were punk. They were cool. And they were not going to be told by culture what to do. Sound familiar to conservative politics today?
Adherents to the clean “<a href="https://www.michigandaily.com/opinion/columns/the-politics-of-aesthetics-how-american-fashion-shifted-right/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.michigandaily.com/opinion/columns/the-politics-of-aesthetics-how-american-fashion-shifted-right/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2KgrARDVofdlu9oprwWH9B">old-money</a>” conservative aesthetic that prioritizes self-control, structure, and modesty are inherently less inclined to get inked. The Christian interpretation of applying Leviticus 19:28 to modern-day tattoos as sinful and pagan also made them taboo for many conservatives. No Baptist preacher wanted his daughter coming home with a tatted boyfriend because there was probably a motorcycle in the driveway and a felony on his record, making him a satanist.
In the year of our Lord 2026, conservatives have become more tender-hearted to body art. &#8220;Tattoos aren’t conservative. But they might be Republican,&#8221; writer Natalie Sandoval <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2025/06/17/tattoos-poll-democrats-republicans-pete-hegseth-lauren-boebert-cory-mills/">declared</a> in the Daily Caller last year. &#8220;A new YouGov survey reveals tattoos are more common among Republicans than Democrats.&#8221; There’s even an increased social acceptance as tattoos become more common in <a href="https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/columns/2013/08/24/company-bans-are-fading-on-employee-body-ink/60888092007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=false&amp;gca-epti=z1128xxe1128xxv000030&amp;gca-ft=162&amp;gca-ds=sophi" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/columns/2013/08/24/company-bans-are-fading-on-employee-body-ink/60888092007/?gnt-cfr%3D1%26gca-cat%3Dp%26gca-uir%3Dfalse%26gca-epti%3Dz1128xxe1128xxv000030%26gca-ft%3D162%26gca-ds%3Dsophi&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0S3B5AOMwZxmudU4_JMDTq">corporate jobs</a> where management is less stingy about hiring someone with a tattoo.
Yet, some stereotypes still hold. If you see someone in their 20s today with patchwork tattoos sprinkled across their arm, chances are pretty high they vote blue in every election and have pronouns in their Instagram bio.
As the Left loses its grip on culture through extreme ideological stances on abortion, LGBTQ issues, and socialism, the pendulum is starting to swing back to the Right side. Conservatives are the new rebels, rejecting abortion, political cynicism, and racial grievance and instead embracing families, patriotism, and true equality. The question is: Can we keep the momentum?
While the tradwife trend promotes the conservative civic duty to dress well through natural, God-given means, the MAGA-coded <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/how-the-conservative-era-will-change-beauty-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.vogue.com/article/how-the-conservative-era-will-change-beauty-standards&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786726234237000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3CZwqJIqIkaCouDkcQcECh">lip filler, overdone makeup, and ultra-traditional skirt suits</a> aren’t going to sway the majority of the population into believing that conservatives and their ideas are cool.
The cottage-core and corporate aesthetics don&#8217;t appeal to everyone, and conservatives should embrace their role as the ones shaking up the status quo. What better way to mobilize the movement than having cool tattoos coupled with great ideas? A traditional message through bipartisan modern means.
Following in the footsteps of <a href="https://news.meaww.com/8-us-politicians-who-have-tattoos-from-sarah-palin-to-john-fetterman" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://news.meaww.com/8-us-politicians-who-have-tattoos-from-sarah-palin-to-john-fetterman&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786729509141000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ZxQDtkac15zTd_cH9ktnz">tatted</a> Republicans such as Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth might help strengthen conservative leadership. Hegseth’s &#8220;We the People&#8221; tattoo gained him a lot of respect from my family. And his Jerusalem cross tattoo had progressives positively <a href="https://www.catholicleague.org/hegseths-christian-tattoo-is-meritorious/">losing</a> their minds. There&#8217;s a reason people still <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/09/30/which-party-has-cornered-the-tattoo-vote">suggest</a> President Theodore Roosevelt had a tattoo, and the reason is it makes the outdoorsman sound pretty cool.
It’s not enough to hold the line on conservative values of individual responsibility, limited government, patriotism, and family through talking heads, old campaign strategies, and hot blonde women. We’ve got to do it in style to vindicate the rebellious spirit that started this country. One tattoo at a time. It’s what the Founding Fathers would want.
***
Abigail Nichols works as the National Journalism Center’s program coordinator and holds a master of social work. She is a contributor at the Federalist. Find her on X: <a href="https://x.com/a_bigailnichols">@a_bigailnichols</a>.
This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/upstream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream</a>, The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.

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