(The Epoch Times)—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department apologized on Sunday for a social media post that expressed condolences to people affected by bombings in Iran following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on June 21.
The now-deleted post on the social media platform X read, “Our hearts go out to the victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran.” The department also referred to the incident as a tragic event.
BREAKING: LA County Sheriff’s Dept just EDITED their tweet where they sent condolences to Iran for their nuclear targets being destroyed.
But the internet is forever.
Here’s the before and after: https://t.co/56A8tBgdCQ pic.twitter.com/5H7PcF4rOM
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 23, 2025
The department said in the post that it would increase patrol checks at places of worship and other sensitive locations, though there had been no known threats detected in Los Angeles County.
The original post appeared to have been deleted from X but the version on Facebook remained. It has since been edited to remove the reference to Iran.
The department issued a formal statement on June 22 apologizing for the post, acknowledging that it was “offensive and inappropriate,” while affirming its focus on protecting public safety.
“This post was unacceptable, made in error, and does not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the Department. As a law enforcement agency, we do not comment on foreign policy or military matters,” it said.
The department said it has initiated an internal review to determine how the post was created and published.
It added that steps are being taken to tighten social media oversight protocols to ensure that any future posts align with the department’s standards moving forward.
“We fully recognize that the words and messages we share carry weight,” it stated. “We are committed to learning from this failure and to prevent such incidents from occurring again.”
The now-deleted post came on the heels of President Donald Trump’s announcement on June 21 that the United States had struck three Iranian nuclear facilities amid the exchange of missiles and drone attacks between Israel and Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi condemned the strikes and warned of “everlasting consequences,” but did not reveal the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
The DHS issued a bulletin under the National Terrorism Advisory System on June 22, warning of “a heightened threat environment” in the United States.
The DHS said, “Low-level cyber attacks against US networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against US networks.”
It stated that Iran also has “a long-standing commitment” to target officials it holds responsible for the death of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian military commander killed by the U.S. military in January 2020 during Trump’s first term.
“Multiple recent Homeland terrorist attacks have been motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment, and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could contribute to US-based individuals plotting additional attacks,” the DHS stated.
The bulletin on the increased threat environment is set to expire on Sept. 22.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated on social media that the state is “actively monitoring for any potential impacts” in the aftermath of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran.
“While there are no specific or credible counter threats we are aware of at this time, we urge everyone to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity,” Newsom stated on June 21.
Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.