Texas Weekly Online

Texas-trans-white
Menu
Menu

Year: 2026

Olympian charged in Reflecting Pool vandalism tied to Dem fundraising giant

Olympian charged in Reflecting Pool vandalism tied to Dem fundraising giant

Records show former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was charged in the weekend vandalism of the Reflecting Pool, has ties to a major left-wing fundraising network as protesters descended on the National Mall and racked up multiple criminal charges. Hearn, 67, donated to Democratic fundraising apparatus ActBlue 10 times while also contributing to Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns five times, an administration official told Fox News Digital. Hearn was charged with a misdemeanor for destruction of government property Saturday after he reached into the water and allegedly grabbed a hose being used by a National Park Service worker, Fox News previously reported. The Reflecting Pool was drained and painted under President Donald Trump’s direction, sparking scrutiny over peeling paint and algae growth. ActBlue has funneled billions of dollars to Democratic candidates such as New York democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The group has also drawn scrutiny for its overseas donations that prompted federal probes into donor fraud. DEM FUNDRAISING GIANT ACTBLUE ROCKED BY ALLEGATIONS IT MISLED CONGRESS ABOUT FOREIGN DONATIONS The three-time summer Olympian and registered Democrat told The Associated Press he is a “curious citizen” and “reached down to see what it felt like.” He said it felt “very rubbery.” Hearn was previously arrested by U.S. Park Police in 1996 after he ignored an emergency closure of the Potomac River during a severe rainstorm and launched a canoe onto the river despite the restrictions. He was charged with failing to obey a lawful order, but the judge later cleared him of the charges. The $14.8 million restoration project has sparked outrage from Democratic lawmakers and Washington residents who have descended on the National Mall to inspect the pool. Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell said her constituents are “outraged” by the algae during an appearance on CNN. FORMER OLYMPIAN AMONG THOSE CHARGED WITH VANDALIZING REFLECTING POOL, TRUMP VOWS IMMEDIATE REPAIRS: REPORT An administration official told Fox News Digital that five people have been arrested on vandalism charges, while federal citations were issued to five additional individuals. There have been 14 police reports filed for vandalism, the official added. Among the reports was one involving a suspect accused of using a blade to slash nearly 300 feet of the pool’s liner, an incident President Donald Trump highlighted in a Truth Social post on Saturday. WATCH: TRUMP REVEALS FLASHY NEW COLOR FOR NATIONAL MALL’S REFLECTING POOL MAKEOVER “They took some form of knife or blade, and put a 250-foot-long gash into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence, and money to build and complete. They also poured corrosive and destructive chemicals into the Pool,” wrote Trump. “The Reflecting Pool was never so beautiful as it was just one week ago, even going back to 1922 when it opened.” Trump said Friday that he believes vandals are damaging the grounds surrounding the Reflecting Pool and that chemicals were used to damage the pool’s newly installed surface, he wrote on Truth Social. Fox News Digital reached out to NPS for comment. Fox News Digital’s Jackson Thompson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Obama-era inspection flaws in Iran could persist as experts warn of nuclear blind spots

Obama-era inspection flaws in Iran could persist as experts warn of nuclear blind spots

Iran has agreed to let nuclear inspectors back into the country, Vice President JD Vance said Monday, as nuclear experts warned President Donald Trump’s new Tehran framework will only work if inspectors get the kind of unfettered access they say was missing from the Obama-era Iran deal. The news, which Vance described as “a major milestone,” comes as Trump’s new Iran framework drew warnings from nuclear experts who told Fox News Digital the deal could leave Tehran too much control over its uranium stockpile unless inspectors first locate, secure and verify the material. The IAEA has not been able to resume full in-field verification of Iran’s declared nuclear program since last year’s strikes, apart from a June inspection at a single Iranian nuclear power plant. The verification gap concern centers on language in the reported U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) saying the two sides will resolve the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile through a still-to-be-negotiated process. The MOU identifies onsite “downblending,” which means diluting enriched uranium so it is less usable for a nuclear weapon, under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision as the minimum acceptable method for dealing with the material. The MOU does not explicitly say Iran will retain a civilian nuclear program, but it says the two sides will discuss enrichment and other matters related to Iran’s “nuclear needs” in a final deal. “Unfettered verification is everything,” Chuck DeVore, Chief National Initiatives Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, told Fox News Digital. “There can be no denial for teams to inspect on the ground. Remote, technological means can achieve a lot, but nothing beats in-person inspections.” TRUMP NUCLEAR TALKS FACE DEFINING QUESTION: WHAT HAPPENS TO IRAN’S URANIUM STOCKPILE? IAEA supervision would only be meaningful if inspectors first regain enough access to fully account for Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and ensure Tehran does not retain unchecked control of the material, experts warned Fox News Digital. Meanwhile, a recent IAEA report released this month underscored the agency’s limited visibility into Iran’s declared nuclear program after last year’s military strikes, saying that aside from a single inspection at an Iranian nuclear power plant, the agency “has not received information from Iran” about the status of its other declared nuclear facilities or associated nuclear material. “Nor has the Agency had access” to those sites for in-field verification, the report noted. A senior administration official told Fox News Digital on background that the MOU required Iran’s regime to reaffirm that it will not procure or develop nuclear weapons, calling that a critical first step under Iran’s new Supreme Leader. The official said the U.S. has reached understandings with Iran when it comes to its uranium stockpile, and the new deal is the first step of turning these understandings into real results, which include progress on enriched uranium stockpiles, dismantlement of nuclear sites, an enrichment ban and inspection access. The official added that the U.S. has already had productive discussions with Iran on those issues and, now that the MOU is formally in place, negotiators will work to make quick progress. US-IRAN TALKS POSTPONED IN SWITZERLAND AMID ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH TENSIONS; HORMUZ REMAINS A KEY ISSUE The official also referred Fox News Digital to comments Vice President JD Vance made Thursday, when he said the deal’s benefits depend on Iran following through on its promises. “They have promised not to enrich. They have promised that they would allow inspectors in to destroy that highly enriched stockpile. And then, of course, it’s not usable anymore. You take it somewhere else,” Vance said. “They promised a number of things, and that’s why the deal contemplates a number of benefits if they do those things. But it doesn’t do anything if they don’t actually meet those promises.” “The Iranians have agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back into their country. That is a major milestone for the American people, and the first step in permanently denuclearize, easing or permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran,” Vance added Monday after negotiations in Switzerland resumed. “And that’s exactly what we wanted to do. That’s exactly what we asked to happen.” The Vice President said that the technical negotiations will continue over the next weeks and days, even in his absence. He said a framework for “proper political oversight” of these negotiations has been established as well. Vance simultaneously highlighted that “a lot of great progress on other nuclear talks” has already been made in the early days.  Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Nonproliferation Program, told Fox News Digital that any credible agreement must begin with recovering and safeguarding Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, and not allowing Tehran to keep control of the material while it is diluted inside the country. “Without verifiably dismantling and destroying all of Iran’s fundamental nuclear capabilities — nuclear material, facilities, centrifuges, manufacturing capabilities, equipment, documentation, and weaponization capacities, and ensuring scientists are redirected to civilian work — Iran’s pledge on paper is meaningless,” she told Fox News Digital, noting that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile could, if recovered and further enriched, provide enough weapons-grade material for roughly 22 nuclear weapons. HOW DOES TRUMP SOLVE KEY ‘NUCLEAR DUST’ HANG-UP IN NEGOTIATIONS TO END IRAN WAR? DeVore was more cautious about assigning a single number to Iran’s potential weapons capacity, saying the estimate depends heavily on the sophistication of the weapon design. He said the same stockpile could translate into fewer basic weapons or be stretched further by a more advanced nuclear program. He said onsite downblending, if properly verified, would be aimed at making Iran’s roughly 1,000 pounds of 60% enriched uranium unavailable for further enrichment. DeVore cautioned that the material would still need additional processing to be turned into weapons-grade uranium and said he does not believe Tehran can currently do that because key facilities were destroyed in last year’s strikes. Asked what would be needed to make any Iran deal enforceable, DeVore told Fox News Digital the U.S. must avoid repeating what he described as a key

Tim Walz’s jab at Trump over Reflecting Pool draws fraud scandal backlash: ‘Sit this one out’

Tim Walz’s jab at Trump over Reflecting Pool draws fraud scandal backlash: ‘Sit this one out’

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s viral jab at President Donald Trump over the troubled Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool cleanup drew swift blowback from critics online, who pointed to the massive fraud scandal that unfolded in Minnesota under Walz’s watch. “Found an imaginary problem, said only they could fix it, didn’t listen to experts, hired buddies who grifted millions, failed miserably, bragged how great it went,” Walz wrote on Friday in a post on X with over 3.5 million views. “The entire Trump presidency in a nutshell.” Walz was reacting to a news report about the issues the Trump administration has had cleaning up the historic reflecting pool next to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., which has recently become fodder for Democrats in response to peeling paint and algae growth just weeks after a $14.8 million restoration project was completed.  Walz’s post, which was received well by some of his supporters, was widely criticized by conservatives, who suggested that Walz’s inability to stop the scammers involved in the massive fraud scandal that unfolded under his watch makes his opinion on the Reflecting Pool less convincing. TIM WALZ FIRES BACK AT TRUMP ACCUSATION OF ‘INCOMPETENCE,’ DODGES ON RESPONSIBILITY FOR FRAUD IN MINNESOTA “I’m sorry, TIM WALZ is accusing someone else of enabling grifting?” journalist Mark Hemingway posted on X. “From the dude who gave us all those ‘Learing Centers,’” Fox Business senior correspondent Charles Gasparino posted on X. “Tim Walz: Are you describing yourself?” Minnesota Staff Fraud Reporting Commentary, an account representing more than 480 Minnesota state staff members who have sounded the alarm on fraud in the state, posted on X. WALZ APPROVAL RATING CRATERS TO LOWEST LEVEL EVER AND TRAILS TRUMP AMID MASSIVE FRAUD SCANDAL: ‘TIRED OF IT’ “Ya might want to sit this one out…,” Sal Nuzzo, executive director of Consumers Defense, posted on X. “Actually, the problems were very real: 9% inflation, an open border with 20M+ illegal crossings, fentanyl killing 100K Americans a year, factories shipped overseas, energy dependence, and cities that couldn’t keep the lights on,” former Trump White House spokesman Harrison Fields posted on X. “Voters didn’t imagine those — they lived them. That’s why you’re a retiring governor and failed VP nominee.” Conservative influencer account Gunther Eagleman accused Walz of presiding over Minnesota’s fraud scandal, posting on X, “Says the biggest fraudster in Minnesota.” “Crazy, you found an imaginary war record,” Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden posted on X in response to questions about Walz’s recollection of his military service while running for vice president in 2024. Fox News Digital reached out to Walz’s office for comment. “Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP!”  Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday after alleging vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, where law enforcement activity and cleanup efforts have drawn national attention. “It has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it (Probably inspired by Dirty Cop, James Comey!). Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things – Which will be fully enforced! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT.”

Two new defendants charged in alleged White House UFC mass-casualty attack plot

Two new defendants charged in alleged White House UFC mass-casualty attack plot

The FBI has identified two additional suspects in the alleged plot targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C., bringing the total number of publicly identified defendants to seven. Newly unsealed court records identify Missouri resident Jordan W. Rincker and Washington state resident William Lee Spartacus Falkner as alleged members of the conspiracy. Prosecutors say Rincker allegedly helped fund and facilitate the operation, while Falkner allegedly discussed procuring and operating drones intended for use in the attack. Five suspects previously were charged in the case in recent days. Investigators allege the group planned to use explosive-laden drones to trigger a mass evacuation of the June 14 event before directing fleeing crowds toward prepositioned shooters. FBI officials previously told Fox News Digital that a “second wave” was then expected to target the White House gate. Falkner allegedly joined a Telegram chat devoted to drone operations June 7 and communicated with other alleged conspirators about drone procurement, tactics and the use of explosives, according to the Washington state complaint.  5 CHILLING DETAILS FROM THE ALLEGED WHITE HOUSE ATTACK PLOT TIED TO UFC EVENT Prosecutors allege Falkner discussed obtaining multiple drones through a network of contacts and argued that “the more drones the better.” Court records also allege he exchanged messages about drone payloads, anti-jamming measures, fiber optics controls and the number of drones needed to carry out the attack. The complaint alleges Falkner claimed he could obtain drones capable of carrying heavy explosive payloads and discussed coordinating their acquisition with other members of the group. According to the complaint, Falkner allegedly participated in a Telegram channel known as “D Ops” dedicated to the conspiracy’s alleged drone operation. In one exchange cited by prosecutors, a co-conspirator allegedly wrote that the group was “down to 7 days” before the attack and discussed obtaining multiple drones for the operation. Images of the new suspects were not immediately available.  The newly unsealed affidavit also suggests investigators were examining whether members of the group discussed a potential future attack targeting a FIFA World Cup match scheduled for July 3 in Kansas City, Missouri.  In the filing, an FBI agent wrote that he believed messages exchanged by alleged ringleader Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez referenced the event and encouraged co-conspirators to prepare to travel to Missouri around the July 4 holiday. Prosecutors said the plotters met around March through a TikTok community known as “Vanguard of the Old” where participants shared workout videos and tactical content before moving to encrypted Signal chats. According to the newly unsealed complaint, members of the conspiracy allegedly agreed to commit murder on the White House grounds and surrounding area during the UFC Freedom 250 event. The complaint alleges the conspiracy operated from approximately March through June 21. Federal investigators allege members acquired firearms, ammunition, ballistic gear and other tactical equipment in preparation for the attack.  The complaint claims Tycen Proper allegedly acquired several boxes of ammunition, plate carriers, rifles and tactical clothing, while Daniel Eskridge allegedly obtained multiple firearms, a helmet and a ballistic vest. ‘SOMETHING BIG’: FEDS REVEAL HOW RELATIVES OF SUSPECTS IN FOILED WHITE HOUSE UFC PLOT SAW WARNING SIGNS The newly unsealed filing also says that Eskridge allegedly shared a photograph of tactical equipment, including a rifle, helmet and ballistic vest, with co-conspirators on the encrypted messaging platform SimpleX in May. Prosecutors allege Rincker played a logistical role in the conspiracy.  He allegedly accepted a $1,200 cash payment from co-defendant Alvarez, allegedly sent Bryan Omar Roa $100 to help fund Roa’s drive from California to Washington and allegedly transferred a pump-action shotgun to Alvarez during an in-person meeting, according to the complaint.  The complaint further claims that Roa allegedly began driving from California to Washington on June 11 to participate in the attack. The plot was allegedly disrupted after the mother of Proper, a 19-year-old Ohio defendant in the case, called in a tip to the FBI. A seizure of Proper’s phone helped investigators identify other members of the alleged network. Investigators say the network extended well beyond the five men initially charged. Proper’s phone contained a primary Signal chat with approximately 19 alleged participants, according to court records, along with smaller operational chat groups organized by role and location. Tensions reportedly boiled over between federal agencies over the decision to make the case public.  FBI Deputy Director Chris Raia told Fox News Digital Monday that the initial five arrests targeted the individuals investigators viewed as the most dangerous members of the alleged conspiracy and that any additional arrests would likely involve suspects who played lesser roles in the plot. “We made a bunch of probable cause arrests before the (UFC) event, we assured the event was safe,” Raia said. “We were watching a whole bunch of others to ensure that nobody had come to nobody had come to DC. But we’re continuing to make those cases. And so that’s why you’re seeing folks get kind of picked off.” Fox News’ Jake Gibson contributed to this report.