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Trump Secures Release Of American Citizen Held By Taliban

By
Madeleine Jackson
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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

The Trump administration announced Sunday it had successfully secured the release of Amir Amiry, an American wrongfully held by the Taliban in Afghanistan — a move underscoring President Donald Trump’s ongoing push to bring home every U.S. citizen detained abroad.

Officials credited Qatar with helping facilitate the release alongside the State Department’s Bureau for Hostage Affairs and the National Security Council’s counterterrorism directorate.

“While this marks an important step forward, additional Americans remain unjustly detained in Afghanistan. President Trump will not rest until all our captive citizens are back home,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement.

Rubio, who also serves as National Security Advisor, said the release showed “a significant step by the administration in Kabul” to advance efforts to free other Americans unjustly held.

Amiry was reportedly detained by the Taliban in December 2024, though details surrounding his imprisonment remain limited.

The development highlights a rare but meaningful diplomatic opening between the United States and the Taliban, who took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the Biden administration’s chaotic U.S. troop withdrawal.

The Trump White House has not released specifics about what, if anything, the U.S. provided in exchange for Amiry’s freedom — but officials stressed the President’s priority is the safe return of all Americans.

According to CNN, at least three Americans remain detained in Afghanistan, including Paul Overby, believed to be deceased.

For families of those still missing, the breakthrough offers hope. Ahmad Habibi, brother of Mahmood Habibi — a U.S. citizen held by the Taliban for more than three years — told the Associated Press his family was “grateful” to see progress.

“We are grateful that senior officials at the State Department and National Security Council have repeatedly assured us that any deal they do with the Taliban will be ‘all or nothing’ and they have explicitly assured us that they will not leave my brother behind,” Ahmad Habibi said.

Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan-American business owner and Kabul-based contractor, disappeared in 2022. His family and the FBI believe the Taliban is holding him, though the group has denied it.

President Trump has prioritized returning Americans detained overseas and recently signed an executive order to increase pressure on regimes and groups who wrongfully detain U.S. citizens. The order expands the administration’s ability to label governments and actors as “state sponsors of wrongful detention,” triggering sanctions and other consequences.

The release of Amiry underscores the Trump administration’s focus on protecting American lives abroad and standing up to hostile regimes — with clear signals that the White House won’t stop until every detained U.S. citizen comes home.

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Oregon Sues Over Trump’s National Guard Deployment Plan

By
Madeleine Jackson
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President Donald J. Trump is presented with a 10th Combat Aviation Brigade challenge coin following an air assault and gun rain demonstration at Fort Drum, New York, on August 13. The demonstration was part of President Trump's visit to the 10th Mountain Division (LI) to sign the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, which increases the Army's authorized active-duty end strength by 4,000 enabling us to field critical capabilities in support of the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thomas Scaggs) 180813-A-TZ475-010

President Trump’s most recent plan to deploy the National Guard in American cities is already facing legal roadblocks

Oregon and its largest city, Portland, are suing to block President Donald Trump from deploying the state’s National Guard, calling it an unconstitutional abuse of power.

“Far from promoting public safety, Defendants’ provocative and arbitrary actions threaten to undermine public safety by inciting a public outcry,” the state and city contend in the lawsuit filed Sunday in federal court in Portland.

“I think this is a sad day for our country, a sad day for Oregon that the president of the United States does not listen to local leaders about what they need,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, told reporters during a videoconference shortly after the suit was filed.

“When the president and I spoke yesterday, I told him in very plain language there is no insurrection or threat to public safety that necessitates military intervention in Portland or any other city in our state,” Kotek said. “Putting our own military on our streets is an abuse of power … Local law enforcement has this under control.”

“It’s actually un-American, if you think about it, to use the military against our own citizens but that’s exactly what’s happening right now, across our country,” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield (D) told the press conference.

He said his office plans to file within the next day for a temporary restraining order against the deployment.

The lawsuit follows Trump’s announcement on social media Saturday that he was ordering the Defense Department to send troops to Portland to use “full force, if necessary,” to combat protests that he said were interfering with immigration enforcement. Trump described the decision as the result of a request from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,” he wrote.

Oregon officials say the Pentagon followed through on Trump’s order on Sunday morning, calling up 200 members of the state’s 6,500-member National Guard contingent. State officials say even the relatively small call-up could damage the state’s ability to respond to emergencies.

Politico reported that one anonymous official said they expect it to be a National Guard mission that would look similar to Los Angeles and Washington, which was focused on “supporting federal and local law enforcement,” by doing logistics and not much more.

Read:

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Trump’s powers to deploy federal troops domestically has already been challenged in court. A federal judge in September found that his use of military troops in Los Angeles was illegal. That district court judge paused his own ruling, and it was stayed by a federal appellate court while the appeal is ongoing.

Cuban Regime Finally Loses a Longtime Fugitive: Joanne “Assata” Shakur Dies in Havana

By
Madeleine Jackson
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3

Havana, Cuba — On September 25, 2025, Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Joanne Deborah Byron — better known by her aliases Joanne Chesimard and Assata Shakur — died in Havana at the age of 78 due to health complications and the rigors of old age.

This news brings to a close a decades-long saga in which a convicted murderer escaped justice, was shielded by a hostile foreign regime, and became a symbol for radical causes.

A Fugitive’s Origin: From Violent Crime to Escape to Cuba

In 1977, Chesimard was convicted on multiple serious charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery, and other felonies after a 1973 shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that left State Trooper Werner Foerster dead.

She escaped prison in 1979, spent years underground, and resurfaced in 1984 under asylum in Cuba — a regime that refused U.S. extradition requests.

For decades, the United States and New Jersey authorities pushed Cuba to hand her over. She carried the dubious distinction of being the first woman ever placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list, with a $1 million reward for her capture.

A Death Without Accountability

Her passing in Havana presents a bitter irony: after decades of immunity facilitated by a foreign government, she dies free — far from the prison cell where she was supposed to serve life in the U.S.

New Jersey officials immediately expressed outrage. They reiterated that justice was never fully served for Trooper Foerster’s family.

Cuba’s complicity in harboring Chesimard has long been roundly condemned by American leaders. Senator Marco Rubio recently denounced Havana for providing “a safe haven for terrorists and criminals, including fugitives from the United States.”

What She Represented — and What the U.S. Must Learn

For defenders of law and order, her story is a cautionary tale of diplomatic failure and ideological double standards.

  • Rule of Law Must Be Absolute: A convicted cop killer escaping and living with impunity is a stain on the integrity of the justice system.
  • Foreign Regimes Should Not Shield Criminals: Cuba’s refusal to extradite Chesimard fashioned her into a political symbol, rather than merely a criminal. That sets a dangerous precedent.
  • Consistency in Foreign Policy Matters: If the U.S. does not forcefully demand accountability from regimes that shelter fugitives, it weakens its moral and strategic footing.

Now that she has died abroad, the question of bringing her remains home may arise. But more importantly, the memory of Trooper Foerster — his sacrifice and service — must remain central. And the mission remains: to hold foreign governments accountable when they interfere with American justice.

The “We Are Charlie Kirk” wristband is more than just a symbol — it’s a tribute to Charlie’s legacy and a reminder to live boldly for faith, family, and freedom. [CLAIM YOURS NOW]

Sinclair Ends Jimmy Kimmel Ban

By
Madeleine Jackson
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The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A quick turnaround…

On Friday, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that it will end its preemption of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and the show will return on Friday. 

“Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience. We take seriously our responsibility as local broadcasters to provide programming that serves the interests of our communities, while also honoring our obligations to air national network programming,” Sinclair said in a statement.

“Over the last week, we have received thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives. We have also witnessed troubling acts of violence, including the despicable incident of a shooting at an ABC affiliate station in Sacramento. These events underscore why responsible broadcasting matters and why respectful dialogue between differing voices remains so important,” the statement continued. “In our ongoing and constructive discussions with ABC, Sinclair proposed measures to strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman.”

Sinclair added that proposals “were suggested as collaborative efforts between the ABC affiliates and the ABC network.”

“While ABC and Disney have not yet adopted these measures, and Sinclair respects their right to make those decisions under our network affiliate agreements, we believe such measures could strengthen trust and accountability,” the company said. 

“Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence. Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations. While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content,” Sinclair continued. “As a company rooted in local stations, Sinclair remains committed to serving our communities with programming that reflects their priorities, earns their trust, and promotes constructive dialogue. We look forward to continuing to work with ABC to deliver content that serves a broad spectrum of our communities.”

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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Media Personality Claims Tucker Carlson Is Frontrunner to Succeed Trump

By
Madeleine Jackson
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Tucker Carlson via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Swisher and Galloway were discussing the decline of television in the wake of Kimmel’s suspension from ABC when the conversation turned to podcasters.

“I think, look, we got to just burn those ships and move on. That’s the thing, because this is how Trump lives. He lives in the 80s in his head, so CBS, ABC, and NBC are the be-all and end-all,” Swisher argued.

“But they’re not. They’re not influential anymore. We should just move along and make our stuff. We should grow and conservative outlets should grow, whatever it happens to be. I was, although I think Tucker Carlson’s really– something’s going on with him. When he’s articulated, it was absolutely right,” Swisher added.

“We both have our issues with Tucker. I think Tucker right now is the most likely nominee for the Republican nomination. I think he has been very good lately,” Galloway replied — referring to Carlson’s warning against any kind of free speech crackdown following Kirk’s murder.

“Well, he’s consistent at least,” Swisher agreed.

“About housing, for young people, he comes across as intellectually honest. He comes across as courageous, not afraid to go against his own party. And I realize I’m talking our own book here,” Galloway continued, adding:

Our downloads are up 10 percent in the last 30 days. And guess what? Everyone from Megyn Kelly to Joe Rogan, you’re going to see a lot, increasingly people turn to podcasts like The Daily, because The New York Times is fearless and does the work.

You’re just going to see media that is not scared of Brendan Carr, or can’t be controlled by Brendan Carr. Boom, because people are really interested in what’s going on, and they like fearless. You know, I’ll give you an example, Don Lemon.

Watch:

President Donald Trump is FEARLESS! Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again. [Step up NOW and support Trump]

Clinton Praises Trump’s Hardline Shift on Russia, Says Putin ‘Only Responds to Strength’

By
Madeleine Jackson
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3
Kremlin.ru, via Wikimedia Commons

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, one of Donald Trump’s fiercest critics, surprised many on Wednesday when she applauded the former president for his new, tougher posture toward Russia.

Speaking on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Clinton acknowledged Trump’s remarks at the UN General Assembly and on Truth Social, where he suggested Ukraine could reclaim “all of Ukraine back in its original form” with support from NATO and European allies. The comments mark a stark departure from Trump’s earlier suggestions that a peace settlement might involve Ukraine ceding territory.

Clinton told host Joe Scarborough, “I welcomed what the president said yesterday. I thought that given all the back-and-forth that we have seen and heard at Anchorage and elsewhere, his coming to grips with the fact that Vladimir Putin does not respond to any kind of rhetoric, he only responds to strength.”

She continued: “You have to show strength. You have to back strength. You have to be strong in order to deal with him.”

Trump’s Shift in Tone

Trump’s comments this week are notable because they reflect mounting frustration with Russia’s faltering military campaign and its weakened economy under international sanctions. Once seen as willing to explore negotiations, Trump is now openly questioning the competence of Moscow’s armed forces.

On Truth Social, he wrote that Kyiv could regain “the original borders from where this war started” with allied support, pointing to Russia’s battlefield struggles and growing financial pressure at home. He also remarked, “What kind of military does Russia have exactly? They couldn’t even take over Ukraine.”

This sharper tone comes after Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York. His remarks highlight a recalibration of strategy—one that views backing Ukraine as not only about defending Europe but also about exposing Russia’s vulnerabilities.

Clinton Warns About Russia, Backs Trump’s Message

Clinton, who has long argued that Putin poses a grave threat to Western security, warned that Russia’s aggression is a “clear and present danger to all of Europe and therefore to the United States.”

But she noted that Trump’s message sends the right signal: “And I think if what President Trump said yesterday is if we help Ukraine, Ukraine can hold the line and may even be able to push Russia back.”

For Republicans, Trump’s harder line could signal a growing recognition that strength and leverage—not concessions—are the path to containing Russia. As Clinton put it, Moscow has been badly overestimated: “We overestimated Russia’s military strength and now we’re seeing that they can be pushed back.”

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House Democrat Files Articles Of Impeachment Against RFK Jr.

By
Madeleine Jackson
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1
By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., CC BY-SA 2.0,

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) is set to introduce articles of impeachment against independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accusing him of creating “health care chaos” tied to his stance on vaccines and public health protocols.

As The Hill reports:

On the social media platform X, Stevens wrote, “Health care chaos. Reckless cuts. Rising costs. Michiganders and families across the country are paying the price for RFK Jr.’s agenda. Enough is enough, which is why I’m drafting articles of impeachment against @SecKennedy.”

Stevens has repeatedly called for Kennedy’s removal from his role since he became health secretary.

She called for Kennedy to resign earlier this month, citing the slashing of medical research for pediatric cancer and vaccines.

“Michiganders are tired of politicians who chase attention and ignore real problems. I’ve seen enough chaos from this administration and from Secretary Kennedy,” Steven said in a statement on Sept. 15.

The resolution is largely symbolic, with little chance of advancing in the Republican-controlled House. But it marks a dramatic escalation in the backlash against Kennedy’s controversial health policies, particularly his vocal opposition to vaccines.

The move is expected to draw strong partisan reactions and further inflame tensions around Kennedy’s role in the 2024 race.

The “We Are Charlie Kirk” wristband is more than just a symbol — it’s a tribute to Charlie’s legacy and a reminder to live boldly for faith, family, and freedom. [CLAIM YOURS NOW]

Former FBI Director Indicted But Trump Remarks Signal Potential Problems

By
Madeleine Jackson
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1
Image via Wikimedia Commons

A grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James Comey.

Comey was reportedly indicted on one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice for allegedly lying under oath to Congress. The 12 grand jurors reportedly declined to indict on additional charges.

Comey declared he’s “not afraid” in a video posted to his Instagram responding to his historic indictment on two charges.

“My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way. We will not live on our knees, and you shouldn’t either,” began Comey. “Somebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant and she’s right. But I’m not afraid and I hope you’re not either. I hope instead you are engaged. You are paying attention. And you will vote like your beloved country depends upon it, which it does.”

“My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I’m innocent,” he concluded. “So let’s have a trial and keep the faith.”

Comey’s son-in-law, a senior federal prosecutor, abruptly resigned Thursday just hours after the former FBI director was indicted on charges of false statements and obstruction.

Troy A. Edwards Jr., a national security prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, stepped down Thursday night with a brief note to his boss.

“To uphold my oath to the Constitution and country, I hereby resign as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in the Department of Justice effective immediately,” Edwards wrote in the letter, posted to X.

The case follows the firing of Comey’s daughter, Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor who has since sued the Justice Department, claiming retaliation tied to her family name.

President Donald Trump unloaded on James Comey, deeming him a “destroyer of lives” in an early morning Truth Social post Friday that also saw him brand the former FBI director a “DIRTY COP.”

On Friday morning, the president unleashed on Comey as “corrupt,” insisting that the former FBI boss “lied” in his testimony and demanding he pay “a very big price”:

Whether you like Corrupt James Comey or not, and I can’t imagine too many people liking him, HE LIED! It is not a complex lie, it’s a very simple, but IMPORTANT one. There is no way he can explain his way out of it. He is a Dirty Cop, and always has been, but he was just assigned a Crooked Joe Biden appointed Judge, so he’s off to a very good start. Nevertheless, words are words, and he wasn’t hedging or in dispute. He was very positive, there was no doubt in his mind about what he said, or meant by saying it. He left himself ZERO margin of error on a big and important answer to a question. He just got unexpectedly caught. James “Dirty Cop” Comey was a destroyer of lives. He knew exactly what he was saying, and that it was a very serious and far reaching lie for which a very big price must be paid! President DJT

Trump followed minutes later with an all caps quip:

JAMES COMEY IS A DIRTY COP. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Since the indictment, some legal analysts have warned that Trump’s social media posts about Comey could arm the defense with an argument for a selective prosecution motion to dismiss the indictment.

The “We Are Charlie Kirk” wristband is more than just a symbol — it’s a tribute to Charlie’s legacy and a reminder to live boldly for faith, family, and freedom. [CLAIM YOURS NOW]

Longtime White House Advisor Announces Exit

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2

    Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich is reportedly leaving the White House, according to reports.

    Budowich’s departure at the end of the month marks one of the highest profile departures from the Trump White House. Budowich oversaw communications, cabinet affairs and speech writing.

    Budowich, a longtime Trump aide, played a large role in the president’s political operation after he left office in 2021. Throughout 2023 and most of 2024, Budowich oversaw the main pro-Trump super PAC. His departure was earlier reported by Axios.

    He plans to return to the private sector after years at Trump’s side, including helming the main pro-Trump super PAC through most of 2023 and 2024, according to Axios and The New York Times.

    The departure is unexpected, given his close relations with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ operation, and his years leading Trumpworld messaging.

    “Taylor is a dear friend, and I know that President Trump holds him in very high regard. I hate to see him go, personally and professionally, but obviously wish him well in whatever he decides is next,” Wiles told Axios.

    Stephen Miller, a fellow deputy chief of staff, also praised him for his loyalty to Trump.

    Another deputy chief of staff, Dan Scavino, described Budowich as a “vital asset in Trump 2.0.”

    His exit follows a string of high-profile departures from Trump’s second term.

    The White House’s principal deputy communications director, Alex Pfeiffer, quietly made his exit last week after joining the White House in January.

    We Need 100% GOP Unity – Take 2 Minutes to Confirm Now! One Missing Verification Weakens Our Fight — Don’t Be the Missing Piece.

    Report: US Attorney Will Attempt To Charge Former FBI Director James Comey

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    Image via Wikimedia Commons

    In what will likely be an uphill legal battle, the Trump administration’s U.S. attorney in Virginia is reportedly planning to ask a grand jury in the coming days to indict former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress.

    Halligan’s apparent plan to seek charges against Comey follows a clear directive from Trump, who over the weekend directly called for prosecutions against Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. 

    “Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, and Leticia???” Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday evening, directly addressing Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”

    Earlier this week, prosecutors presented Lindsey Halligan – Trump’s former personal attorney whom he appointed to lead the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia – with a detailed memo recommending that she decline to bring perjury and obstruction charges against Comey, the sources familiar with the memo said according to ABC News.

    A monthslong investigation into Comey by DOJ prosecutors failed to establish probable cause of a crime — meaning that not only would they be unable to secure a conviction of Comey by proving the claims beyond a reasonable doubt, but that they couldn’t reach a significantly lower standard to secure an indictment, the sources said

    According to sources, Halligan’s deputy — a prosecutor who was briefly assigned to lead the office just a day before Trump appointed Halligan to the high-profile position — has also expressed reservations about bringing the politically charged case. 

    Erik Siebert, Trump’s previous nominee to the position, resigned from the office after sources said he refused to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James over unfounded allegations of mortgage fraud.

    Trump later claimed he “fired” Siebert and quickly installed Halligan into the position, as he continued to make unprecedented calls for the speedy prosecution of his political foes.  

    “I just want people to act, they have to act, and we want to act fast,” Trump said on Saturday. “They were ruthless and vicious. I was impeached twice. I was indicted five times. It turned out to be a fake deal. And we have to act fast, one way or the other, one way or the other: they’re guilty, they’re not guilty. We have to act fast. If they’re not guilty, that’s fine. If they are guilty, or if they should be charged, they should be judged. And we have to do it now.”

    Trump has criticized Comey for years after he briefly served as the director of the FBI during Trump’s first term before being fired over his handling of an investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. 

    The Department of Justice launched an investigation into Comey earlier this year after FBI Director Kash Patel claimed to discover “burn bags” containing sensitive documents at the FBI headquarters related to the Russia probe.

    From Erika Kirk: The torch Charlie lit still burns — now it’s in our hands. [STAND WITH US TODAY]
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