By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Brownley, Barragán, Torres Call for Pentagon Probe into ‘End-Times’ Military Briefings
Three LA County members of Congress have signed onto a letter demanding a federal investigation into reports that military commanders are framing the U.S. war in Iran as the fulfillment of biblical end-times prophecy.
U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas) was a lead author of the letter, joined by Reps. Nanette Barragán (D-San Pedro, Wilmington, Carson, Compton) and Norma Torres (D-Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas), who were among 30 House Democrats who joined Congressional Freethought Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Jared Huffman and Jamie Raskin in asking Department of Defense Inspector General Platte B. Moring III to open a formal investigation.
The letter cites anonymous complaints filed with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) from servicemembers across more than 40 units at 30-plus military installations, alleging commanders have told troops the Iran conflict is “all part of God’s divine plan” and that President Trump “has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon.” The MRFF has received more than 200 such complaints spanning every branch of the military.
The lawmakers are asking the IG to determine whether commanders violated DoD Instruction 1300.17 on religious neutrality, whether servicemembers who raised concerns faced retaliation, and whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s public framing of Middle East policy in religious terms has influenced the chain of command.
“We must ensure that military operations are guided by facts and the law, not end-times prophecy and extreme religious beliefs,” the lawmakers wrote.
The Pentagon has not issued a public response to the allegations. The letter was sent Friday, March 6.
Hahn, Archuleta Break Ground on Mental Health Village in Norwalk
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn (Long Beach, San Pedro, Torrance, Norwalk, Downey, Cerritos) and State Sen. Bob Archuleta (Norwalk, Downey, Whittier, Pico Rivera, Montebello, La Mirada, Brea) yesterday joined county and state leaders to break ground on a first-of-its-kind mental health treatment and housing village on the campus of Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk.
The LA County Care Community will repurpose six vacant historic buildings on the 13-acre site into a three-tiered care campus totaling 162 beds. The facility will include two locked mental health rehabilitation centers for young adults ages 18 to 25, one interim housing facility with 70 beds, and two permanent supportive housing buildings offering 60 apartments for adults living with serious mental illness who have experienced homelessness.
Hahn proposed and championed the project, while Archuleta provided the legislative muscle to make it possible. His SB 1336, signed into law in 2024, authorized the State of California to lease approximately 13 acres of the Metropolitan State Hospital campus to LA County — unlocking the site for county use and clearing the legal pathway for the Care Community to move forward.
“These buildings are doing no one any good sitting empty,” Hahn said. “LA County is transforming these vacant buildings into a mental healthcare village where people can get the safe, professional, and compassionate treatment and housing they desperately need.”
“When the Governor signed my bill into law, it created the pathway to repurpose vacant buildings on the Metropolitan State Hospital campus into a mental health care community that will provide housing, treatment, and critical services for individuals in need,” Archuleta said.
Harabedian Delivers $21.7 Million for Altadena Wildfire Recovery
Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia) presented a $21.7 million state investment at the opening of the Eaton Fire Canyon Landscape Recovery Center, a key milestone in Altadena’s rebuilding effort following the 2025 wildfires.
The funding will support the restoration of fire-damaged parks and open spaces, with native, climate-resilient trees and plants grown locally at the new center. Areas targeted for restoration include Charles S. Farnsworth Park, Charles White Park, Eaton Canyon Natural Area, Loma Alta Park, Altadena Golf Course, and Triangle Park. A ceremonial tree planting followed the check presentation.
“This has always been about making sure Altadena is not left behind,” Harabedian said. “These dollars are going directly into rebuilding our parks, restoring green space, and helping families see their community come back to life.”
Friedman Hosts Passport Fair for Glendale Constituents
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale, Burbank, La Cañada Flintridge) hosted a passport fair Saturday at Glendale Central Library, filling all 300 available appointment slots before the event while also welcoming walk-ins.
Friedman’s office has resolved more than 1,838 constituent cases involving federal agencies, including Social Security, the IRS, and Veterans Affairs, returning more than $7.9 million to taxpayers.
“We all know that getting a passport or dealing with federal agencies can be stressful,” Friedman said. “Today, I wanted to make that process as smooth and simple as possible for my constituents.”
