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Pentagon Withdraws 700 U.S. Marines From Los Angeles After Controversial Deployment

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LOS ANGELES (BN24) — The Pentagon ordered the withdrawal of 700 U.S. Marines from Los Angeles on Monday, ending a month-long deployment that stirred legal battles and political backlash after President Donald Trump sent troops to the city during protests over immigration enforcement.

The Marines were deployed June 9, days after mass demonstrations erupted across downtown Los Angeles in opposition to Trump’s crackdown on immigration. At the time, Trump also activated 4,000 National Guard troops across the city. The move was widely criticized by state and city leaders, who argued that the federal government had overstepped legal boundaries by sending military personnel to police domestic unrest.

During their stay, the Marines were stationed at two federal sites in Los Angeles, including the downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. At one point, a man attempting to reach a Veterans Affairs appointment was temporarily detained outside a federal complex in West L.A., raising concerns about the military’s engagement with civilians.

While the Marines’ role was largely restricted to protecting federal property, their presence drew sharp rebukes from local leaders. Last week, the Pentagon began drawing down military personnel, ordering half of the National Guard troops to depart. Monday’s full withdrawal of Marines marked the most significant rollback of the federal deployment.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the troops had fulfilled their mission. “Their presence sent a clear message: lawlessness will not be tolerated,” he said.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, speaking alongside veterans’ groups ahead of the Pentagon’s announcement, welcomed the decision and called for the full removal of all military personnel from the city.

“This is another win for Los Angeles but this is also a win for those serving this country in uniform,” Bass said. “Los Angeles stands with our troops, which is why we are glad they are leaving.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who sued the federal government in June over Trump’s use of the National Guard, also praised the Marines’ withdrawal. Newsom argued in court that the president violated federal law by activating the Guard without consulting the state and accused the administration of using military personnel for “political theater.”

Although Newsom originally included the Marines in the lawsuit, legal efforts have centered on regaining control over the California National Guard. A lower court sided with Newsom, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked that ruling, allowing the federal activation to continue for now.

Following Monday’s developments, Newsom renewed his call for the remaining National Guard troops to stand down.

“The women and men of the California National Guard deserve more than to continue serving as puppets in Trump and Stephen Miller’s performative political theater,” Newsom said in a statement. “There was never a need for the military to deploy against civilians in Los Angeles.”

While some Guard troops remain in the city, the Pentagon’s withdrawal of Marines signals a shift as federal pressure eases under intensifying legal and political scrutiny.

U.S.-Based Airline Pilot Swerves to Avoid B-52 Bomber Over North Dakota, Then Apologizes Over Intercom

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MINOT, N.D. (BN24) — A SkyWest pilot operating a Delta Connection flight made a sharp, unexpected turn to avoid a potential midair collision with a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber while approaching Minot International Airport, prompting alarm onboard and sparking federal and military investigations.

The dramatic maneuver occurred Friday as Delta Flight 3788 was descending into Minot from Minneapolis-St. Paul. In a video recorded by a passenger and later posted to social media, the pilot can be heard explaining over the intercom that the evasive action was triggered after he visually spotted the B-52 bomber flying directly in the plane’s flight path.

“Sorry about the aggressive maneuver. It caught me by surprise,” the pilot says in the recording. “This is not normal at all. I don’t know why they didn’t give us a heads up.”

The Air Force confirmed that a B-52 from Minot Air Force Base was conducting a scheduled flyover of the North Dakota State Fair, held in the city that day. A spokesperson said the incident is under review.

While no injuries were reported, the near miss highlights ongoing concerns about communication and coordination between military and civilian aircraft — an issue already under scrutiny following a deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C., earlier this year that killed 67 people. That crash, involving an Army helicopter and a commercial jet, intensified efforts to improve military-civilian air traffic coordination, particularly when military aircraft operate without active transponders.

SkyWest, which operates regional flights for Delta and other major airlines, confirmed the aircraft performed a “go-around” maneuver — a standard safety procedure — after the bomber was spotted. The flight landed safely in Minot, a small airport located just 10 miles south of the Air Force base that houses 26 B-52 bombers and supports more than 5,400 personnel.

According to the pilot’s comments in the video, Minot’s airport lacks radar systems and directs flights visually. He said that upon being told to turn right on approach by the control tower, he immediately saw the bomber and took evasive action. “I don’t know how fast they were going, but they were a lot faster than us,” he told passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a brief statement on Monday confirming it is investigating the incident. Later in the day, it clarified that the air traffic services at Minot’s control tower are provided by a private contractor, not FAA staff.

Minot typically handles fewer than two dozen flights per day and, like many small U.S. airports, lacks its own radar capabilities. Instead, such airports rely on regional FAA radar facilities to guide flights in and out. The Minot incident underscores the potential risks when military activity intersects with civilian operations in such settings.

The pilot’s frustration was audible. “The Air Force base does have radar, and nobody said, ‘Hey, there’s a B-52 in the pattern,’” he told passengers after stabilizing the flight.

Applause followed his explanation, captured in the viral video. SkyWest has launched its own internal review.

19 Dead After Military Jet Crashed Into College in Bangladesh

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Firemen work at the site of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft that crashed into a school campus shortly after takeoff in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

DHAKA, Bangladesh (BN24) — A Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed into a school campus in the capital city Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100 others in one of the deadliest military aviation incidents in the country’s recent history.

The aircraft struck Milestone School and College, located in the Diabari neighborhood in northern Dhaka, at approximately 1:18 p.m. local time, according to state-run BSS News, which cited a Fire Service and Civil Defense official. The BAF F-7 fighter jet, which was on a routine flight, erupted into flames on impact, tearing through parts of the school building and sending plumes of black smoke into the sky.

Emergency officials on the scene confirmed that many of the casualties were students and staff who were inside the building at the time. Hospitals across the capital are currently treating at least 83 people injured in the crash, with several reported to be in critical condition. The aircraft’s pilot was among those killed, regional officials told The Associated Press.

The crash prompted an immediate national response. Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a moment of profound national grief. In a statement posted to social media platform X, Yunus offered condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed hospitals and emergency authorities to prioritize the treatment of the injured.

Firemen work at the site of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft that crashed into a school campus shortly after takeoff in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

“I express my deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident of casualties caused by the crash,” Yunus said. “This is a moment of profound pain for the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and direct all concerned authorities, including hospitals, to address the situation with the utmost priority.”

The government declared a National Day of Mourning following the crash, with special prayers held across the country in memory of the victims. While rescue efforts concluded by evening, an investigation is now underway to determine what caused the crash of the Chinese-built F-7 aircraft, a long-serving component of the Bangladesh Air Force fleet.

The impact on the school, which serves hundreds of students in the area, has sparked outrage and sorrow among local residents and education officials. Many are questioning why a military jet was flying near a densely populated educational zone.

As the country mourns the victims of this deadly accident, attention is turning to safety protocols and the maintenance status of military aircraft operating in populated regions. With dozens still hospitalized and the nation grieving, Monday’s jet crash in Dhaka stands as a grim reminder of the risks tied to military aviation in urban centers.

Trump Administration Releases FBI Files on Martin Luther King Jr. Despite Family’s Objections

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — The Trump administration has made public nearly 200,000 pages of long-sealed FBI surveillance records on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., despite strong opposition from his family and the civil rights organization he once led.

The documents, unsealed decades ahead of schedule, chronicle the FBI’s extensive efforts to monitor and discredit King during the civil rights era, including covert wiretaps, hotel room bugging, and the use of informants. Originally sealed by a federal court order in 1977, the files had been held by the National Archives and Records Administration since their transfer from the FBI.

The release was authorized earlier this year after Justice Department lawyers petitioned a federal judge to lift the sealing order prior to its scheduled expiration. The decision triggered swift objections from King’s surviving children — Martin Luther King III and Bernice King — as well as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which King co-founded in 1957.

Both the King family and the SCLC argued that the surveillance had been illegal and politically motivated, aimed at undermining King and the broader civil rights movement. They warned that unfiltered release of the files would retraumatize the family and distort King’s legacy.

The King siblings issued a joint statement ahead of the release, calling their father’s FBI file “a source of public curiosity for decades,” but urging the public to approach the documents “with empathy, restraint, and respect for our family’s continuing grief.” They emphasized the need to place the files in “full historical context” rather than viewing them through a sensationalized lens.

Among the documents now accessible are records showing how then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover targeted King as a perceived radical, going so far as to authorize surveillance of his home, office, and personal life. The Bureau’s covert campaign sought to discredit King at a time when he was becoming a global symbol for nonviolent resistance and racial justice.

While the King family and civil rights advocates have voiced anger and concern, historians, researchers, and journalists have welcomed the release, anticipating new insights into King’s assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968, as well as deeper understanding of the government’s covert tactics during the civil rights era.

The SCLC, echoing the King family’s sentiments, accused the FBI of violating civil liberties in its campaign against Black leaders and warned that the public release of these files risks perpetuating historical harm.

Despite these objections, the Trump administration proceeded with the disclosure, signaling a new chapter in the long and complicated legacy of government surveillance of one of America’s most revered figures.

Kenyan Police Arrest Activist Boniface Mwangi Over Alleged Role in Deadly Anti-Government Protests

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NAIROBI, Kenya (BN24) — Kenyan authorities have arrested outspoken human rights activist Boniface Mwangi in connection with last month’s deadly anti-government protests, accusing him of involvement in what they described as “terrorist acts.”

Mwangi was detained at his home in Machakos County on Saturday and is expected to appear in court Monday, Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced in a statement posted Sunday on social media platform X.

During the arrest, police said they recovered two unused tear gas canisters, a 7.62mm blank cartridge, two mobile phones, a laptop, and notebooks. Authorities indicated Mwangi will face terrorism-related charges as well as prosecution for alleged unlawful possession of ammunition.

A representative for Mwangi was not immediately available for comment.

Mwangi’s arrest follows weeks of unrest in Kenya, where youth-led demonstrations have surged in response to economic hardship, corruption allegations, and police violence. The protests were reignited by the June death of political blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody under disputed circumstances. His death galvanized fresh demonstrations across the country.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, a state-funded watchdog, 19 people were killed during protests on June 25. Another 31 deaths were confirmed after protests resumed on July 7. The DCI cited those figures in its announcement about Mwangi’s arrest.

The demonstrations, primarily organized by young Kenyans through social media, have sparked a national reckoning over government accountability and police conduct.

Mwangi, a former parliamentary candidate who ran on an anti-corruption platform, has long been a vocal critic of state abuse and impunity. His activism has drawn both domestic and international attention.

In May, Mwangi was arrested and deported from Tanzania, where he had traveled to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Upon his return to Kenya, he alleged that Tanzanian authorities sexually assaulted him while in detention. Last Friday, he lodged a formal complaint with the East African Court of Justice over the incident.

Mwangi’s detention marks a sharp escalation in the Kenyan government’s response to the ongoing protests and is likely to further inflame public anger.

Bulgarian Authorities Seize Massive Cocaine Shipment Hidden in Van Headed for Turkey

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SOFIA, Bulgaria (BN24) — Bulgarian border officials seized more than 200 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a van headed toward Turkey, one of the largest land-border drug hauls in the country’s history, authorities announced Sunday.

The Belgian-plated van, inspected at the Kapitan Andreevo crossing point near the Turkish border, was found to be carrying 206 kilograms (453 pounds) of cocaine, according to customs officials. The cocaine, packed into 179 vacuum-sealed bags and concealed in five suitcases among personal items, is estimated to have a street value of 20 million euros ($22 million).

Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov said three individuals were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt. They include a 40-year-old diplomat from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is accredited in Belgium; a 54-year-old Belgian national; and a 43-year-old Bulgarian man who was driving the vehicle.

Authorities said the suspects were attempting to cross into Turkey when border agents flagged the vehicle for further inspection. The suspects could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of drug trafficking, according to Bulgarian prosecutors.

“This is the largest cocaine seizure ever recorded at a Bulgarian land border,” Stoyanov told reporters. “An investigation is underway in cooperation with partner organizations in several European Union countries to trace the origin of the drugs and identify their intended recipients.”

Bulgaria, which lies on the Balkan drug-trafficking route, has ramped up anti-narcotics operations in recent years. The region is a key corridor for transporting heroin from Asia and the Middle East to Western Europe, and increasingly, for shipping cocaine from Latin America.

Officials said the discovery highlights the growing use of diplomatic channels and multinational networks in sophisticated smuggling operations across Europe.

The three suspects remain in custody as authorities expand their investigation across multiple jurisdictions.

Trump Threatens Stadium Deal Over Washington Commanders Name, Demands Return to ‘Redskins’-AP

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump is threatening to block a proposed stadium deal for the Washington Commanders unless the NFL team abandons its current name and reinstates its former one, the Redskins—a name dropped amid national calls for racial justice and cultural sensitivity.

In a post Sunday on his social media platform, Trump said he may oppose plans to build a new stadium in Washington unless the team reverts to its old moniker, saying the name “Commanders” is “ridiculous” and claiming the franchise would be “much more valuable” as the Redskins.

“I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins’… I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington,” Trump wrote.

The Commanders and city officials from the District of Columbia announced earlier this year plans to construct a new stadium at the site of the old RFK Stadium, where the team played for decades before moving to Maryland. The deal was made possible after President Joe Biden signed legislation in January transferring control of the federally owned land to the D.C. government.

While Trump’s ability to directly halt the project is uncertain, his remarks reflect a broader political push to reverse name changes that emerged from the racial justice movement. The Redskins name was officially retired in 2020, along with the team’s Indian head logo, amid a nationwide reckoning with systemic racism.

Trump also took aim at Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team, demanding it revert from the Guardians to the Indians. “There is a big clamoring for this,” Trump said, echoing his claim that cultural sensitivity initiatives have gone too far. He even linked the team name to electoral performance, saying former Guardians owner Matt Dolan “might actually win an Election” if the team changed its name back.

The Guardians, who officially adopted the new name in 2021 after phasing out their “Chief Wahoo” logo in 2018, have shown no sign of reverting. Chris Antonetti, the team’s president of baseball operations, told reporters Sunday there are no plans to revisit the change, saying the franchise is focused on building its new brand.

“We understand there are different perspectives… but obviously it’s a decision we made,” Antonetti said before the team’s game against Oakland.

Josh Harris, who acquired the Commanders in 2023 from longtime owner Dan Snyder, has also firmly dismissed suggestions of returning to the Redskins name. Shortly after taking over, Harris ended speculation by stating the name change would remain permanent.

Despite Trump’s pressure, there has been no response from the Commanders regarding his threat. The NFL team has not issued a public comment.

Trump’s latest foray into the debate over team names underscores his ongoing campaign to undo elements of the cultural reckoning that followed the death of George Floyd and protests against racial injustice in 2020. It also plays to his political base, many of whom view the name changes as unnecessary capitulations to political correctness.

Trump, who is seeking re-election in November, has turned the naming controversy into a campaign issue, branding the Cleveland name change as politically motivated and unpopular.

“The Owner of the Cleveland Baseball Team, Matt Dolan… has lost three Elections in a row because of that ridiculous name change,” Trump posted. “MAKE INDIANS GREAT AGAIN (MIGA)!”

Dolan, who has not been involved in team operations since 2016, unsuccessfully ran in two U.S. Senate races in Ohio. He currently holds no formal role with the Guardians.

Both the Commanders and Guardians declined to comment on the latest developments.

The Real Reason Epstein’s ‘Client List’ Will Likely Never Be Released, Ex-CIA Officer Says-Dailymail

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — The long-speculated client list tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is unlikely to ever be released to the public, according to a former CIA officer who claims the information is too sensitive to national intelligence agencies to be exposed.

John Kiriakou, a CIA whistleblower jailed in 2012 for revealing details about U.S. torture programs at Guantanamo Bay, said in a recent podcast interview that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency will never declassify or disclose Epstein’s alleged “black book” of clients. Kiriakou asserted the document holds intelligence value too significant to be compromised—even amid mounting public pressure for transparency.

Speaking with entrepreneur and host Patrick Bet-David, Kiriakou said the list remains hidden because of Epstein’s purported connections to foreign intelligence, namely Israel’s national spy agency.

“I believe that he was a Mossad access agent. It makes perfect sense to me,” Kiriakou stated, pointing to the theory that Epstein was used as a conduit to collect compromising information on powerful individuals.

Though there is no confirmed link between Epstein and Israel’s Mossad, Kiriakou claimed Epstein functioned exactly as a classic access agent would—targeting influential people, inviting them into compromising environments, and secretly recording encounters to leverage them for intelligence purposes.

“If you’re an intelligence service and you want access to important people, you don’t try to recruit them directly,” he said. “You go after someone close to them. Epstein fit that profile—a wealthy man with a private island, his own planes, access to elites.”

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate now serving a prison sentence for her role in sex trafficking minors, has also faced speculation over alleged intelligence ties. Her father, the late media mogul Robert Maxwell, was widely suspected of collaborating with Israeli intelligence during his career. While none of these claims have been definitively proven, they remain at the heart of widespread theories surrounding Epstein’s mysterious finances and elite connections.

Kiriakou also revisited the testimony of Virginia Giuffre, a key accuser in Epstein’s trafficking network who claimed she was coerced into sex with British royal Prince Andrew. Giuffre, 41, died by suicide in April. In previous legal statements, she and several other women alleged that Epstein’s properties were equipped with surveillance monitors capturing every room—including bathrooms—suggesting a systematic operation of blackmail.

“If those women were telling the truth—and I believe they were—then yes, there absolutely was a client list,” Kiriakou said. “And I think a lot of people know who’s on it. But that’s not something the CIA is ever going to just hand over because the public demands it.”

The existence of Epstein’s “black book” was confirmed years ago; the original document, containing names and contact information of numerous high-profile figures, was even sold at Sotheby’s. But the full contents remain concealed from the public.

Kiriakou questioned why Maxwell never used the list to negotiate a lighter sentence, further suggesting its immense value and potential risk.

“If it was destroyed, why? If not, where is it? Why didn’t Maxwell use it to save herself?” he asked.

The controversy around Epstein’s client list and his death in federal custody in 2019 continues to spark intense debate—particularly in conservative circles. Recently, the Trump administration has faced backlash from within its own base over its handling of Epstein-related files.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, appointed under President Donald Trump, came under fire after the Department of Justice claimed the client list “never existed” and reaffirmed the position that Epstein’s jailhouse death was a suicide. Those remarks ignited outrage among Trump loyalists, many of whom believe the administration broke its promise to release the records.

Following the backlash, Trump appeared frustrated during a cabinet meeting, reportedly calling his supporters “weaklings” for falling for what he called a Democrat-driven “hoax.” He has since urged his base to move on from the Epstein issue.

When asked if Trump himself was withholding the documents out of personal implication, Kiriakou dismissed the idea.

“I don’t believe that for a second,” he said.

Kiriakou is not alone in alleging intelligence involvement. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson made similar claims earlier this month, suggesting Epstein worked for Mossad to blackmail U.S. political figures.

Speaking to a crowd of young conservatives in Florida, Carlson questioned the origins of Epstein’s massive fortune and how he ascended from a high school math teacher to owning multiple planes, a private island, and one of the most expensive townhouses in Manhattan.

“No one has ever tried to get to the bottom of that,” Carlson said. “And the reason they haven’t is because the answer makes people in Washington very uncomfortable.”

Carlson also speculated that Epstein maintained close ties with the Israeli government—referring to Epstein’s documented relationship with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who reportedly visited Epstein’s homes multiple times starting in 2013.

“Was he running a blackmail operation for a foreign government?” Carlson asked, before adding that questions about foreign influence are not anti-Israel, but legitimate concerns.

“The idea that even asking this is somehow off-limits is what’s created resentment and suspicion,” Carlson said.

As questions continue to swirl around Epstein’s connections, alleged intelligence ties, and the hidden client list, public frustration is rising. Whether the full truth will ever come to light remains uncertain. But as Kiriakou emphasized, the stakes are far greater than celebrity scandal—they lie at the intersection of global espionage, political power, and the darkest corridors of influence.

Suspect Recounts Deadly Argument in Delta State, Nigeria

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ASABA, Nigeria (BN24) — A 27-year-old man, Kelvin Obakpororo, is in police custody in Delta State after allegedly killing his girlfriend and the mother of his two children in what authorities are calling a violent domestic incident.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed the arrest on Sunday, weeks after the June killing sparked outrage across social media. The victim, identified simply as Excellence, was reportedly murdered during an altercation at Obakpororo’s residence in Sapele.

Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe said the suspect initially fled but was eventually tracked and taken into custody. “Between June 26 and 27, 2025, social media was awash with the mysterious murder of a girl named Excellence in Sapele. The suspect initially escaped, but we eventually arrested him,” Edafe said in a statement from Asaba. “He is currently in custody and will be arraigned in court very soon.”

Obakpororo has confessed to the killing, admitting that he struck the victim multiple times on the forehead with a hammer after she allegedly threatened him with a knife during an argument. He also claimed to have been under the influence of tramadol at the time of the incident.

“She was into hookups. Whenever she came to my house, she would change clothes and go out to see another man,” Obakpororo told investigators. “So, on that day, we argued. She took a knife, and I took a hammer. After I overpowered her, I used the hammer to hit her on the forehead three times before she fell and died.”

The suspect said he consumed 200 milligrams of tramadol and claimed he was not fully aware of his actions. “I didn’t know she would die, and I wasn’t in my right senses,” he said, expressing remorse for the death of the woman who bore him two sons, ages three and two.

Authorities also revealed that Obakpororo is involved in internet fraud, known locally as “pressing.” While not currently facing cybercrime charges, his admission has added another layer of public concern in a case that has drawn widespread calls for justice.

The murder of Excellence has reignited debates in Nigeria over domestic violence, substance abuse, and the psychological toll of internet fraud culture among youth. Police have assured the public that the case is being handled with urgency and that the suspect will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

Credit: Punching.com

Scottie Scheffler Seizes Second Major of Year with Commanding British Open Win

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PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (BN24) — Scottie Scheffler’s march toward golf history continued on Sunday as the world’s No. 1 player delivered another clinical performance to win the British Open by four shots, capturing his second major title of the year and the third leg of a career Grand Slam.

From the opening hole at Royal Portrush, where he stuck his approach to within 10 inches for birdie, the final round felt like a formality. Scheffler built a seven-shot lead within an hour and never allowed anyone to get closer than four as he closed with a composed 3-under 68, finishing at 17-under 267.

The 29-year-old Texan now owns three different major titles, having previously won the PGA Championship in May and the Masters in both 2022 and 2024. His British Open triumph leaves only the U.S. Open between him and the career Grand Slam.

“I love the work, the grind,” Scheffler said earlier this week. “But sometimes I wonder why the thrill of winning doesn’t last longer. It’s fleeting. Still, I want to win so badly.”

That inner drive showed as Scheffler tapped in for par at the 18th and briefly let down his guard, lifting his arms in triumph before embracing his family, tossing his cap skyward, and cradling the silver claret jug.

Rory McIlroy, a home-country favorite and the reigning Masters champion, called Scheffler’s victory “inevitable,” and by Sunday evening, there was little doubt. The American opened his final round with precision, adding birdies at the fourth and fifth holes. But it was his 15-foot par save on No. 6—followed by a fist pump worthy of Tiger Woods—that showed just how locked in he was.

He stumbled briefly at the par-4 eighth, finding a bunker and carding a double bogey—his first dropped shots in 32 holes. Chris Gotterup, this year’s Scottish Open champion, briefly narrowed the lead to four shots with a birdie at the ninth. But Scheffler immediately answered with a birdie of his own at the 10th, then coasted home with eight pars and a final birdie on the back nine.

“It felt like he was going to birdie every hole,” said Shane Lowry, who played with Scheffler on Thursday and Friday. “His bad shots are still good. That’s when you know he’s on another level.”

Scheffler’s win marks his fourth victory of the year and the 11th time in a row he has converted a 54-hole lead into a win. Remarkably, each of his first four major victories has come by at least three strokes—a feat unmatched in the last century.

His dominance is drawing comparisons to the game’s legends.

“I don’t think we thought anyone would come close to Tiger’s dominance so soon,” said Xander Schauffele, who won the Open last year and tied for seventh this week. “But here’s Scottie, and he’s taken that mantle. It’s not a hot streak—he’s been doing this for two years.”

Scheffler’s control was even more evident in contrast to his closest competitors. Harris English, who shot a 66, was runner-up in a major for the second time this year—both times trailing only Scheffler. Despite visa issues that kept his longtime caddie away, English bolstered his case for the U.S. Ryder Cup team with another strong finish.

“The only guy who’s beaten me at the PGA and now here is Scottie,” English said. “He’s the best front-runner I’ve seen. Maybe ever.”

Li Haotong of China, Matt Fitzpatrick of England, and Wyndham Clark of the U.S. all tied for fourth. Li’s finish earns him a berth at next year’s Masters.

McIlroy, who thrilled the home crowd with a 69 on Sunday, never got within five shots and acknowledged Scheffler’s separation from the field.

“He is the standard right now,” McIlroy said. “I wish I could have put more pressure on him. But to be out there, in front of my home crowd, was unforgettable. I’ll remember that walk up the last hole forever.”

Even Scheffler’s 15-month-old son, Bennett, tried to join the celebration—face-planting as he toddled up the slope toward the 18th green and his triumphant father.

As the sun set over Royal Portrush, the champion held the claret jug aloft, now one win away from joining the elite club of golfers to claim all four majors. The U.S. Open next June looms large—not just as a tournament, but as the stage where Scottie Scheffler might complete his rise to all-time greatness.

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