Congress Targets ‘Claims Sharks’ as Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Protect Veterans from Benefits Fraud

The SAFEGUARD Veterans Act would crack down on unaccredited claims consultants, restore criminal penalties, and strengthen protections against predatory actors profiting from veterans’ disability claims.

WASHINGTON | A bipartisan group of lawmakers is advancing legislation aimed at protecting veterans from so-called “claims sharks,” predatory individuals and companies accused of exploiting former service members by charging excessive fees for assistance with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims.

The proposed legislation, known as the Stopping Abuse, Fraud, and Exploitation by Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (SAFEGUARD) Veterans Act, would significantly tighten oversight of the VA claims process and strengthen enforcement against unaccredited agents who profit from veterans seeking earned benefits.

Supporters say the bill addresses a growing national concern as veterans increasingly report being targeted by firms that promise assistance navigating the often-complex disability claims system but charge substantial fees for services that accredited organizations provide free of charge.

“These brave men and women earned their benefits, and it’s our job to stop any bad actors who try to take advantage and scam them,” said U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., one of several lawmakers backing the legislation.

Restoring Oversight to the VA Claims Process

The legislation would require that only VA-accredited individuals and organizations assist veterans with benefit claims. It would also restore criminal penalties for unaccredited agents found engaging in fraudulent or deceptive practices.

Additional provisions would:

• Close regulatory loopholes used by unaccredited claims consultants.
• Prohibit the use of robocalls and automated technologies to obtain veterans’ claims information.
• Direct the VA to establish systems to track accredited representatives and report fraudulent actors.
• Increase veteran education and awareness efforts regarding scams and predatory claims practices.
• Strengthen enforcement tools available to federal authorities investigating benefits fraud.

Veterans advocates argue that many former service members are unaware they can receive claims assistance at no cost through accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), county veteran service officers, and VA-approved representatives.

Trump Orders New Acting DNI Bill Pulte to Shrink Intelligence Office, Signaling Major Overhaul of U.S. Spy Bureaucracy

President directs newly appointed acting intelligence chief to begin workforce reductions at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, deepening an effort to streamline the intelligence community amid growing congressional scrutiny.

WASHINGTON | President Donald Trump has directed newly appointed Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to reduce the size of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), signaling a continuation of the administration's broader effort to reshape and streamline the U.S. intelligence community.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Friday while traveling to Wisconsin, Trump praised Pulte and openly endorsed additional cuts to the intelligence office, arguing that the agency has become excessively large and inefficient.

"He'll do a very good job," Trump told reporters. "He'll watch it closely, but Bill Pulte is very good; he's very talented. If he cut, I wouldn't mind that."

The comments provide the clearest indication yet that the White House intends to continue downsizing the ODNI following significant workforce and budget reductions implemented earlier in Trump's second term.

Female Navy Officers Warn of Career Ceiling After Hegseth Removes Women From Admiral Promotion List

Pentagon's decision to strike nine officers—including all female selectees—from a Navy admiral promotion slate sparks concerns over retention, leadership diversity, and the future of military talent management.

WASHINGTON | A growing number of female Navy officers are expressing concern that recent intervention by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the military promotion process could have lasting consequences for leadership development, retention, and morale across the U.S. armed forces.

The controversy stems from Hegseth's decision to remove nine officers from a previously approved Navy promotion list, including all three women selected for advancement from captain to the rank of rear admiral (lower half), commonly referred to as a one-star admiral.

As a result, the Navy will not promote a single woman to flag officer rank this cycle despite women representing approximately one-quarter of Navy officers and nearly one-third of the service's mid-grade officer corps, according to recent personnel data.

Promotion Decision Raises Questions

According to defense officials familiar with the process, the original promotion slate included 31 officers selected through the Navy's traditional promotion board.

Those recommendations had already received approval from senior Navy leadership, civilian leadership within the Department of the Navy, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before reaching the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

The Pentagon has not publicly explained why the nine officers were removed from the list.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the administration's broader approach to military promotions, stating that advancement decisions should be based solely on merit and qualifications rather than demographic characteristics.

"Military promotions are given to those who have earned them," Parnell said publicly. "We will never consider the color of a service member's skin or their gender as a factor in promotions."

Pentagon Slashes Recognized Military Faith Codes From 211 to 31, Sparking Debate Over Religious Freedom in the Ranks

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive removes approximately 180 faith-and-belief categories from Defense Department records, prompting criticism from chaplains, veterans, and religious-liberty advocates.

The Department of Defense has officially reduced the number of recognized religious affiliation codes available to U.S. service members from 211 to 31, marking the most significant revision to the military’s faith classification system in nearly a decade and igniting a growing debate over religious freedom, chaplain support, and military readiness.

The change, outlined in a May 20, 2026, memorandum signed by Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata, follows guidance from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to streamline the department’s process for tracking religious preferences among military personnel.

According to the memorandum, the revised system is intended to improve the military chaplaincy's ability to anticipate and provide religious support to service members.

"The new list will provide chaplains with clear, readily available information that will better enable them to anticipate the religious support needs of service members and to provide religious support activities that align with service members’ personal faith and practices," Tata wrote.

ESPN Announces 2026 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl Date as Montgomery Prepares for Another Primetime College Football Showcase

The 13th annual bowl game returns to Cramton Bowl on Dec. 15, featuring a nationally televised ESPN matchup and continuing a tradition of dramatic finishes honoring America’s veterans.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | College football fans can officially mark their calendars.

ESPN Events announced that the 13th annual IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl will kick off on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. ET at historic Cramton Bowl in downtown Montgomery, Alabama. The nationally televised matchup will once again air on ESPN, bringing one of the nation's most competitive postseason contests to a national audience.

The bowl game has become a staple of the college football postseason calendar, earning a reputation for delivering thrilling finishes and honoring the service and sacrifice of America's military veterans.

Since its inaugural game in 2014, the bowl has consistently produced close contests. Remarkably, 11 of the previous 12 games have been decided by a single score, with an average margin of victory of just 4.3 points. Even more impressive, nine of those games featured winning scores in the fourth quarter, creating unforgettable moments for players and fans alike.

Maryland Lands Former Five-Star Talent: Terrapins Sign Virginia Tech Transfer Mila Mulready for 2026-27 Season

Former top-90 national recruit and Virginia Tech standout Mila Mulready brings Power Four experience, doubles success, and championship potential to Maryland Women’s Tennis.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. | Maryland Women’s Tennis has strengthened its roster for the 2026-27 campaign with the addition of former Virginia Tech standout Mila Mulready, a talented junior transfer whose arrival adds experience, versatility, and depth to the Terrapins lineup.

The 20-year-old California native joins Maryland after spending the past two seasons with the Hokies, where she competed regularly against some of the nation's top collegiate tennis programs. Her signing represents another important addition to the Terrapins program, which is looking to elevate its standing within the highly competitive Big Ten Conference.

Mulready arrives in College Park with a pedigree that extends well beyond her collegiate accomplishments. Prior to beginning her college career, she was recognized as one of the premier junior players in the country, earning a five-star rating from TennisRecruiting.com while climbing into the national top 90 and ranking among California's top 10 prospects.

From Istanbul to NCAA History: UC San Diego’s Zehra Anbarlilar Builds a Legacy Beyond the Fencing Strip

Turkish National Team standout becomes the first Turkish female foil fencer to compete in NCAA Division I while emerging as a leader, mentor, and advocate for international student-athletes at UC San Diego.

LA JOLLA, Calif. | For many student-athletes, leaving home for college means moving a few hours away. For UC San Diego fencing standout Zehra Anbarlilar, it meant crossing an ocean.

The Istanbul native arrived in Southern California at just 18 years old with no campus visit, no local support system, and no guarantee that life thousands of miles from home would unfold as she had imagined. What she did bring was elite fencing experience, unwavering determination, and a vision of combining world-class academics with high-level athletic competition.

Four years later, Anbarlilar has become one of the most influential figures within Triton Athletics, building a reputation that extends far beyond NCAA competition.

As she enters her senior year, the Turkish National Team member has already etched her name into collegiate fencing history as the first Turkish female foil fencer to compete in NCAA Division I, while simultaneously becoming a mentor, advocate, and leader for international student-athletes navigating the challenges she once faced.