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Trump Officially Designates Saudi Arabia A ‘Major’ Ally Of United States

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud at the Royal Court Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration is officially designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a move that deepens both the economic and military partnership between Washington and Riyadh.

    The announcement came during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s high-profile visit to the White House. While the event stopped short of being an official state visit—Saudi Arabia’s king is still the formal head of state—the crown prince was welcomed with many of the hallmarks typically reserved for top U.S. partners.

    “We’re taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them,” Trump said. He also revealed that the two nations had just signed “a historic strategic defense agreement.”

    The designation signals a renewed commitment to a long-standing strategic relationship—one Trump has made clear he intends to strengthen after what many Republicans saw as the Biden administration’s misguided distancing from Riyadh. The previous administration had strained ties over controversies such as the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, even as Saudi Arabia remained a critical partner in regional security and global energy markets.

    Trump also affirmed that he plans to approve Saudi Arabia’s request to purchase F-35 stealth fighter jets, one of America’s most advanced military assets. “I am planning on doing that,” the president said. “They want to buy them. They’ve been a great ally.”

    For his part, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized Saudi Arabia’s growing economic commitment to the United States, announcing the kingdom intends to increase its investment from $600 billion to “almost $1 trillion”—a staggering figure nearly equivalent to the size of its sovereign wealth fund, according to The New York Times.

    The Trump administration has prioritized rebuilding and expanding America’s alliances in the Middle East, particularly in advancing the Abraham Accords, a major diplomatic achievement of Trump’s previous term. Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in joining the framework and normalizing relations with Israel, though the kingdom has stated that progress toward a viable two-state solution remains a core requirement.

    Saudi Arabia played a significant role among Arab nations backing Trump’s brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas—a deal that, if successfully upheld, could bring an end to the conflict in Gaza and set the stage for the development of a future Palestinian state.

    Still, some foreign-policy analysts have raised concerns about sharing high-level U.S. technology, such as the F-35, with Saudi Arabia—especially given Riyadh’s continued defense relationship with China. According to Politico, experts warn that sensitive technology could be at risk of being accessed by Beijing. Nevertheless, supporters of the move argue that strengthening ties with a key Middle Eastern partner is essential to countering adversaries and stabilizing the region.

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    Democrat Lawmaker To File Impeachment Articles Against Trump

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      7
      President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

      Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, announced Thursday morning that he plans to once again introduce articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump — a move that highlights ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party over how to confront the president.

      “There will be articles of impeachment filed before the Christmas break. This, I pledge,” Green declared, framing the action as a test of Democrats’ willingness to oppose the Trump administration. “We have to participate. This is a participatory democracy. The impeachment requires the hands and the guidance of all of us.”

      Green said he will file the measure as a privileged resolution, a procedural maneuver that forces the House to consider the articles within two legislative days. Even so, the chamber can vote to table the effort before it reaches an actual impeachment vote — something that has happened repeatedly in the past.

      A Long Record of Failed Impeachment Attempts

      Thursday’s announcement marks Green’s fifth attempt to impeach Trump. Since 2017, Green has repeatedly pushed impeachment articles, often without the backing of House Democratic leadership. His previous filings — including charges such as “bigotry” and “bringing disrepute to the presidency” — were consistently tabled with bipartisan support, underscoring how little traction his efforts gained even before Trump’s two formal impeachments in 2019 and 2021.

      This history has led many observers to view Green’s actions as largely symbolic, aimed more at appealing to the party’s activist base than at producing any practical outcome.

      Progressive Frustrations with Democratic Leadership

      Green’s renewed push comes as the party’s progressive wing expresses growing dissatisfaction with Democratic leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Critics argue that leadership has failed to secure meaningful concessions during recent legislative battles — including a 43-day government shutdown — and has not mounted an effective resistance to Republican policy priorities.

      Some Democrats, such as Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, have even called for new leadership in Congress to more aggressively oppose GOP momentum.

      Dave Mytych, outreach lead for the activist group For Liberation and Resistance Everywhere (FLARE), joined Green at the press conference and directly criticized top Democrats.

      “This is what the American people want. They want fighters that hold the line. Democrats, are you listening? Leader Schumer, are you listening? Leader Jeffries, are you listening?” Mytych said.

      Questions About the Effort’s Purpose

      When asked whether another failed impeachment vote might reflect poorly on Democratic leadership, Green avoided directly answering. He instead noted that up to 80 House members have supported his proposals in the past.

      “Here’s my perspective. I believe in the Constitution,” Green said. “People who vote to table the articles are voting against impeachment.”

      He did not specify which charges he intends to bring this time.

      A Familiar Outcome Likely

      The House has impeached Trump twice before — first in 2019 over abuse of power and later in 2021 for inciting an insurrection. In both cases, the Senate ultimately voted to acquit. Green’s repeated attempts, none of which have succeeded or gained broad support, leave little expectation that this latest effort will produce a different result.

      Green also announced plans for a peaceful protest at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday alongside other advocates.

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      Congress Looking Into Virginia Prosecutor After Threats To Top Trump Staffer

      By
      Donny Ferguson
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      3

      Congress is taking action after a Virginia prosecutor seems to have allowed liberal activists to cultivate threats against a top Trump official and his children.

      The U.S. House Judiciary Committee report Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has “sent a letter to Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, prosecutor for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church, demanding information about her ignoring threats to White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller and the intimidation of his family.”

      “The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) determined that a left-wing activist likely violated state and federal anti-doxing laws when she posted flyers depicting Miller’s face and publicizing his home address. The FBI sought a search warrant for Wien’s phone; however, U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsey Vaala, who has previously donated to the presidential campaigns of Presidents Obama and Biden, denied the FBI’s request,” the committee reports.

      “According to investigators involved in the case, Dehghani-Tafti has been ‘stymying the investigation’ into the threats made against the Miller family. Dehghani-Tafti’s conduct suggests that she is willing to not only ignore threats of political violence against those with whom she disagrees, but will actively side with those making the threats,” the committee reports.

      “The Miller family deserves the same protections afforded to all Americans, particularly when it comes to feeling safe in their own home. Their safety is especially important in light of recent left-wing political violence against prominent Republicans, and the election of an attorney general in Virginia who fantasizes about murdering the children of his political opponents,” the committee adds.

      In the letter to Dehghani-Tafti, Jordan writes, in part:

      Since the 118th Congress, the Committee on the Judiciary has been conducting oversight of politically motivated prosecutorial actions of state and local prosecutors. On September 11, 2025, a left-wing activist, Barbara Wien, posted flyers in her Arlington, Virginia neighborhood depicting White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller’s face and publicizing his home address. While posting the flyers, Wien walked past Miller’s house and attempted to intimidate his wife, who was sitting on the front porch, by indicating she was watching the Miller family,” the committee further reports.

      The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) determined Wien likely violated state and federal anti-doxing laws and sought a search warrant for her phone. However, U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsey Vaala, who has previously donated to the presidential campaigns of Presidents Obama and Biden, denied the FBI’s request” the committee writes.  On October 1, 2025, Virginia State Police secured a warrant from a state court judge.

      After determining that Wien had misled investigators during an interview on October 1, the FBI sought another search warrant. Once again, Magistrate Judge Vaala denied the request. On October 2, 2025, in the matter pending before a court in Arlington County, you made ‘an unusual request’ by siding ‘with the defense’ in requesting that the judge overseeing the matter limit the search warrant and the information that state police could share with the FBI, which the judge so ordered. According to investigators involved in the case, you have been “stymying the investigation” into the threats made against the Miller family.

      Additionally, you reportedly support a left-wing ‘activist group’ known as Arlington Neighbors United for Humanity (ANUFH). Wien is a member of ANUFH and the flyers she posted displaying the Millers’ home address also featured a QR code linking to ANUFH’s Instagram account. ANUFH has previously left threatening chalk messages outside the Millers’ home and praised the violent anarchist network Antifa.

      Your unmistakably partisan actions suggest that you are willing to not only ignore threats of political violence against those with whom you disagree, but will actively side with those making the threats. The Miller family deserves the same protections afforded to all Americans, particularly when it comes to feeling safe in their own home. Their safety is especially important in light of recent left-wing political violence against prominent Republicans, and the election of an attorney general in Virginia who fantasizes about murdering the children of his political opponents.”

      The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Great America News Desk.

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      Saudi Arabia Releases Jailed US Citizen Following Trump, Crown Prince Mohammed Meeting

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      0
      The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

      Saudi Arabia has released a United States citizen who was jailed over social media posts critical of the royal family after President Trump’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

      Saad Almadi, 75, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1976, was arrested in 2021 during a family visit over his remarks online. He was sentenced to more than 19 years on terrorism charges but was released in 2023 and hit with an “exit ban,” which prevented him from leaving the country.

      The terrorism charges were later decreased to “cyber crimes.”

      “This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration,” the Almadi family said in a statement Wednesday. “We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the National Security Council, as well as everyone at the State Department.”

      The statement came shortly after Trump’s Wednesday speech at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum. 

      The Almadi family said the release “would not have been possible” without the work of the president and the “tireless efforts” of the administration, expressing gratitude to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh for keeping Almadi “safe.” 

      One of Almadi’s posts on social media that landed him in trouble called for a street in the nation’s capital to be renamed after Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who was murdered in 2018 while at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. 

      Crown Prince Mohammed has denied involvement in the killing of the journalist, who fled Saudi Arabia in 2017, but U.S. intelligence reports in 2021 stated the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia “approved” the operation to detain or kill the columnist.

      The 9/11 Families United organization shared similar sentiments in regards to Trump’s interactions. 

      “The crown prince knows nothing of the pain of the 9/11 families. He is actively working to impede our efforts to ensure extensive evidence of Saudi government support for al-Qaeda and the terrorist hijackers are brought to light, harboring a former agent that produced a casing video of the U.S. Capitol building, and trying to rewrite history with investments,” 9/11 Families United  told The Hill in a statement. 

      Trump said Tuesday that the crown prince “knew nothing” about Khashoggi’s murder, triggering harsh criticism from press groups. 

      “We are so excited for the family that Mr. Almadi is finally on his way back to the United States! We know how long and hard the family fought to make this day possible,” the Foley Foundation, which advocates for American hostages and wrongful detainees held overseas, said Wednesday in a statement to The Hill. 

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      Trump Issues Pardon To Athlete Convicted After Record-Breaking Run

        By
        Madeleine Jackson
        -
        0
        Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

        President Donald Trump has issued a full pardon to Michelino Sunseri, an endurance athlete who was convicted last year for descending the Grand Teton via a “restricted” trail during a record-breaking run. Sunseri’s case had become a flashpoint in the debate over federal overreach and the growing tendency of unelected bureaucrats to criminalize harmless behavior.

        Sunseri reacted to the news with relief on Monday, writing on Facebook:
        “IT’S FINALLY OVER. The trail trial of the century is officially over. In a twist even Hollywood couldn’t write, I woke up this morning to find out I’ve been given a PRESIDENTIAL PARDON from Donald J. Trump — over the Grand Teton FKT and my use of the Old Climber’s Trail.”

        A Record Run Turned Legal Battle

        In September 2024, Sunseri ascended and descended the 13,775-foot Grand Teton in an astonishing 2 hours and 50 minutes, setting a new fastest-known time. But instead of celebrating the athletic achievement, federal authorities charged him days later for taking a “prohibited” route—the Old Climber’s Trail—during his descent.

        Although the trail has long been used by climbers and is not inherently unsafe, the National Park Service classified it as “restricted,” and Sunseri was prosecuted under rules that critics say lack proper legal grounding.

        A Case of Bureaucratic Overreach?

        The Pacific Legal Foundation, which took up Sunseri’s defense, argued that the federal government had overstepped its authority. According to PLF, the regulations used to charge Sunseri were created by low-level park staff—not by Congress or any properly authorized rulemaking process.

        “We are thrilled that Michelino’s nightmare is over,” said PLF attorney Michael Poon. “But we’re not done fighting unconstitutional regulations that let unelected officials criminalize harmless conduct. We stand ready to help other Americans facing similar prosecutions.”

        This theme—federal agencies creating de facto laws without accountability—has become a major concern among conservatives, especially as executive-branch rulemaking grows in scope and impact. Sunseri’s case, many argue, is a prime example of ordinary Americans being punished by faceless, unaccountable bureaucrats.

        Sunseri: “They Tried to Make an Example of Me”

        Sunseri was convicted last September despite his defense showing that many climbers had used the same trail over the years. He said officials seemed determined to “make an example” of him rather than apply common sense.

        “This case was a massive waste of taxpayer money and government energy from the start,” Sunseri said. “Unfortunately, instead of working with me, the system tried to make an example of me. I know this pardon might get swept up in politics in this heated time, and that’s unfortunate—because this particular case is about fairness and common sense.”

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        DOJ Confirms Comey Grand Jury Didn’t See Final Indictment

        By
        Madeleine Jackson
        -
        2

        The Justice Department admitted in federal court Wednesday that the grand jury which charged former FBI Director James Comey never reviewed the final version of the indictment that prosecutors ultimately filed.

        During questioning by U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, prosecutors conceded that interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan failed to bring the revised indictment back to the full grand jury after jurors declined to approve one of the original counts. Instead of resubmitting the updated charges, Halligan took the altered document directly to a magistrate judge’s courtroom, where only the grand jury foreperson and one additional juror signed it, according to CNN.

        Judge Nachmanoff ordered the Justice Department to file a detailed response by 5 p.m. Wednesday addressing the revelations.

        Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons attempted to justify the process, claiming “the new indictment wasn’t a new indictment.” Nachmanoff, however, swiftly dismissed that explanation.

        Comey’s attorney, Michael Dreeben, seized on the government’s admission, arguing that because the full grand jury never considered the altered charges, “no indictment was returned.” He also noted that the statute of limitations has now run out on the allegations that Comey lied to Congress—meaning prosecutors may no longer have any valid path to pursue the case.

        Prosecutors further revealed they were instructed by the deputy attorney general’s office not to disclose whether career DOJ lawyers had prepared a memo recommending against indicting Comey before Halligan presented the case to the grand jury, Politico reported. Multiple outlets have indicated that DOJ career staff believed the evidence was too weak to justify charges.

        Halligan—appointed interim U.S. attorney in 2025 after working in insurance law and serving as a personal lawyer and White House aide to President Donald Trump—had no prior experience leading federal criminal prosecutions. She served as the sole prosecutor presenting the case to the grand jury.

        Earlier this week, a federal magistrate judge criticized the handling of the investigation, citing “profound investigative missteps” and raising serious concerns about the integrity of the grand jury process under Halligan’s oversight.

        “The Court recognizes that the relief sought by the defense is rarely granted,” Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick wrote. “However, the record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI agent and a prosecutor to potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding.”

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        Bill Maher Open To Voting Republican – But With Some Changes

        By
        Madeleine Jackson
        -
        2
        Missvain, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

        Comedian and longtime liberal commentator Bill Maher told Fareed Zakaria on CNN’s GPS that he could “of course” envision voting Republican — but only if the party becomes something markedly different than what it has been.

        Maher, who has been a longtime critic of Donald Trump and a traditional supporter of Democrats, laid out a number of caveats before making such a move. “They would have to certainly lose the idea of ‘we don’t concede elections,’” he said.

        He added his biggest concern:

        “And my biggest worry is that they feel that the excesses of the left are so great, that they are so anti‐common sense. And again, they’re not completely wrong about that — that they are so — never met something that was counterintuitive that they didn’t embrace. That they just can’t let these people take power and, therefore, even if there has to — if democracy has to be sacrificed for hanging on to power,” Maher said.

        Maher also questioned the GOP’s long‐term commitment to democratic norms after Trump:

        “Will they still keep that idea that we cannot let these people take power? These people who just do not have any idea of common sense, they want to reinvent everything. They are revolutionaries in a country that is not asking for [a] revolution — they’re just asking for politicians to fix things. That is my biggest concern.” He noted a hope for a “return to normalcy” after Trump — though he expressed skepticism.

        At the same time, Maher acknowledged areas where he believes Trump was right:

        He pointed out the border, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives, and NATO contributions. “He showed that you can close the border. It wasn’t something you needed congressional help for. You could just do it, and he did it. He just did it too far. And people don’t like to see people tackled at Home Depot and people they know who have been in this country for a long time.”

        He wrapped up by hitting both parties:

        “Why can’t either one be normal?” he asked rhetorically.

        Why this matters for Republicans

        Maher’s comments underscore a key opportunity and challenge for the GOP: there are non‐traditional voices who might vote Republican — but only if the party reaffirms core democratic norms and common‐sense governance rather than radical transformation. If Republicans continue to be associated with election denial, extreme rhetoric, or sweeping change beyond what voters ask for, they risk alienating such swing voices.

        For Republican-leaning audiences focused on policy, governance, and institutional credibility, Maher’s remarks are a reminder that expanding the party’s appeal may hinge more on tone and norms than just raw policy wins.

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        Appeals Court Tosses Out ‘Meritless’ Trump Lawsuit Against CNN

        By
        Madeleine Jackson
        -
        1

        A federal appeals court panel has rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to revive his lawsuit against CNN over the network’s repeated use of the term “Big Lie” to characterize his claims about irregularities in the 2020 election. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that CNN’s wording—despite its historical connotations and its association with Adolf Hitler—falls under First Amendment-protected opinion rather than a provable factual assertion.

        The three-judge panel, which notably included two judges appointed by Trump, concluded that CNN’s choice of language, while controversial, could not sustain a defamation claim.

        “Trump’s argument hinges on the fact that his own interpretation of his conduct — i.e., that he was exercising a constitutional right to identify his concerns with the integrity of elections — is true and that CNN’s interpretation — i.e., that Trump was peddling his ‘Big Lie’ — is false,” the unanimous panel wrote. “However, his conduct is susceptible to multiple subjective interpretations, including CNN’s.”

        Because statements of opinion cannot be proven true or false, the court determined CNN’s phrasing did not meet the legal threshold for defamation.

        “CNN’s subjective assessment of Trump’s conduct is not readily capable of being proven true or False,” wrote Judge Adalberto Jordan, an Obama appointee, joined by Trump appointees Kevin Newsom and Elizabeth Branch.

        Trump now has the option to request a rehearing by the full 11th Circuit or appeal to the Supreme Court. A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team indicated he plans to continue challenging the ruling, saying he “will pursue this case against CNN to its just and deserved conclusion.” CNN declined to comment.

        The appeals court’s decision affirms a July ruling by U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal—also appointed by Trump—who dismissed Trump’s $475 million lawsuit last year. That lawsuit argued that CNN used the phrase “Big Lie” to intentionally evoke Nazi comparisons, but Singhal found that even harsh or offensive opinions are protected unless they include false statements of fact.

        The appellate judges agreed, writing: “Trump’s argument is unpersuasive. Although he concedes that CNN’s use of the term ‘Big Lie’ is, to some extent, ambiguous, he assumes that it is unambiguous enough to constitute a statement of fact. This assumption is untenable.”

        This decision represents another setback in Trump’s broader effort to challenge major media outlets he says have misrepresented him. While he has secured some favorable settlements—including from ABC and CBS’s parent company—his lawsuits against the New York Times and CNN have faced significant resistance in court. Most recently, Trump criticized and threatened legal action against the BBC over edits made to his January 6, 2021, speech on the Ellipse.

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        GOP Senator Swatted Hours After He’s Branded ‘RINO’ By Trump

        By
        Madeleine Jackson
        -
        0

        President Donald Trump is threatening to primary Indiana Republicans for declining to gerrymander the state and add GOP seats to Congress.

        The president has repeatedly urged GOP-led states like Indiana to redistrict and give Republicans an advantage in the 2026 midterms.

        Trump took to Truth Social Sunday to put “RINO Senators” on notice for “depriving” Republicans of a House majority.

        “Very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans, led by RINO Senators Rod Bray and Greg Goode, for not wanting to redistrict their State, allowing the United States Congress to perhaps gain two more Republican seats,” Trump wrote.

        “The Democrats have done redistricting for years, often illegally, and all other appropriate Republican States have done it. Because of these two politically correct type ‘gentlemen,’ and a few others, they could be depriving Republicans of a Majority in the House, A VERY BIG DEAL!”

        Trump took a shot at California’s Prop 50 redistricting measure that passed overwhelmingly and allows the state to redraw congressional districts in favor of Democrats. Prop 50 was proposed after Texas approved redistricting in favor of Republicans.

        “California is trying to pick up five seats, and no one is complaining about that. It’s weak ‘Republicans’ that cause our Country such problems — It’s why we have crazy Policies and Ideas that are so bad for America,” Trump wrote, continuing:

        Also, a friend of mine, Governor Mike Braun, perhaps, is not working the way he should to get the necessary Votes. Considering that Mike wouldn’t be Governor without me (Not even close!), is disappointing! Any Republican that votes against this important redistricting, potentially having an impact on America itself, should be PRIMARIED. Indiana is a State with strong, smart, and patriotic people. They want us to see our Country WIN, and want to, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Senators Bray, Goode, and the others to be released to the public later this afternoon, should DO THEIR JOB, AND DO IT NOW! If not, let’s get them out of office, ASAP.

        The Indiana state lawmaker was the target of a “swatting” incident just hours later, according to local authorities.

        Sheriff Derek Fell said deputies were dispatched around 5 p.m. on Sunday after Terre Haute police received an email “advising harm had been done to persons inside a home, located in southeastern Vigo County.” Officers struggled to make contact at first, Fell said, but eventually confirmed the residents, including the senator, were safe.

        Goode and his family “were secure, safe, and unharmed,” Fell said, adding that an investigation showed the threat was a hoax, “also known as ‘swatting.’”

        In a brief statement, the senator said he and his family were “victims,” offering thanks to the sheriff and Terre Haute Police Chief Kevin Barrett for their “professionalism.”

        The incident lands amid a tense and unusually public fight over redistricting in Indiana. GOP leaders froze the process on Friday when Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray refused to reconvene lawmakers to draw new maps favoring Republicans.

        Earlier Sunday, Trump threatened to publish a list of GOP holdouts “later this afternoon,” though the promised names did not emerge.

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        Report: US Planning Prisoner Swap With Russia

        By
        Madeleine Jackson
        -
        0
        Kremlin.ru, via Wikimedia Commons

        The United States and Russia are reportedly quietly reopening talks on a possible prisoner-exchange that could determine the fate of at least eight Americans still held in Russia. According to Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev—who visited Washington in late October—discussions with U.S. officials were “humanitarian in nature, such as possible exchanges of prisoners that the U.S. side has been working on.” A senior U.S. official confirmed the outreach and described the atmosphere as constructive, though emphasized that no agreement has yet been reached.

        “The U.S. will welcome the release of any detained American,” the official said, underscoring that Washington views this strictly through the lens of American lives, not political grandstanding.

        During Dmitriev’s trip he met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. A source familiar with the conversations told Axios that Moscow hopes such a swap would “create more trust between the countries.” From a Republican perspective, this is exactly the kind of outcome our diplomacy should be pursuing: Americans held abroad should be brought home, and Russia should see we are serious, not passive.

        While a handful of Americans were released earlier this year under separate agreements, these talks focus squarely on the eight who remain behind bars—several caught up in cases the U.S. describes as politically tinged or based on contested evidence. According to Axios, the names sent to Moscow earlier by the U.S. include:

        • Stephen James Hubbard, 73, accused of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine
        • David Barnes, serving a 21-year sentence after a cross-border custody dispute
        • Robert Gilman, former Marine convicted of assaulting a police officer
        • Eugene Spector, sentenced on bribery and espionage charges
        • Michael Travis Leake and Robert Romanov Woodland, jailed on drug offenses
        • Daniel Joseph Schneider, convicted of abducting his son
        • Gordon Black, a U.S. soldier imprisoned for theft and alleged threats

        U.S. officials haven’t confirmed whether these eight are the focus of the current discussions—but with Moscow signalling interest, and Washington keen to show it can deliver for detained Americans, the groundwork for a high-stakes swap is clearly in motion.

        Why this matters

        For the Republican-minded audience, this is about America first: no American left behind, accountability for Russia’s malign practices, and the restoration of American strength in diplomacy. Critics of past Democratic administrations argue that Russia has often treated U.S. citizens as bargaining chips—and the fact that Washington is now engaging quietly, but seriously, signals a turn toward a tougher posture.

        What have we achieved so far under Trump?

        It’s worth remembering that under the Trump administration, significant steps were taken to bring Americans home:

        • In February 2025, the U.S. secured the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher imprisoned in Russia for possession of medical cannabis (a 14-year sentence), in what was acknowledged as a prisoner exchange.
        • In April 2025, another U.S. citizen, dual-national ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina, was freed from Russia in a swap described by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as secured through Trump’s efforts.

        These releases underscore a Trump-era focus on returning Americans held by adversarial powers, not leaving them forgotten. While this upcoming swap is not yet finalized, the very fact that Moscow and Washington are in active dialogue is a sign the U.S. is not passive when its citizens are wrongfully detained.

        The road ahead

        There are still major questions to resolve: who exactly will be part of the swap? What will the U.S. give up?

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