Home Blog Page 9

Report: Iraq Releases American Hostage After More Than 900 Days

By
Madeleine Jackson
-
1
Gage Skidmore Flickr

A Princeton University doctoral student who was kidnapped by a militia group in Iraq in 2023 and was held for more than 900 days has been released. 

President Trump announced on Tuesday Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli and Russian citizen whose sister is an American citizen, is now safe at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq after she had been held captive by the Iran-backed, U.S.-designated terrorist group Kata’ib Hezbollah, Trump said in a Truth Social post. 

“I will always fight for JUSTICE, and never give up. HAMAS, RELEASE THE HOSTAGES, NOW!” the president wrote, referring to the terrorist organization Hamas that’s holding 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, who were taken during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. 

“My entire family is incredibly happy. We cannot wait to see Elizabeth and give her all the love we have been waiting to share for 903 days,” Tsurkov’s sister Emma said Tuesday in a statement, The Associated Press reported.

In a statement to CBS News on Tuesday, Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber said, “The release of Princeton graduate student Elizabeth Tsurkov brings relief and joy to the University community, and we celebrate that she will be reunited with her family.” 

“We thank President Trump for securing Elizabeth’s release. We are also grateful to those who worked tirelessly to bring an end to her terrible ordeal, including her family, friends and advocates,” Eisgruber said.

In addition to her studies at the Ivy League school, Tsurkov was a fellow at the Washington-based think tank New Lines Institute and wrote for New Lines Magazine before her kidnapping.

Notable American Hostage Releases Under Trump

1. Keith Siegel

  • An American-Israeli citizen held by Hamas in Gaza for nearly 500 days was released under a cease-fire deal that carried over into Trump’s administration.
  • His family and others credited President Trump for exerting pressure in securing his freedom

2. Edan Alexander

  • A 21-year-old dual U.S.–Israeli soldier, the last known living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, was released after 584 days in captivity.
  • His release was a goodwill gesture timed ahead of Trump’s Middle East visit, facilitated by mediators including Qatar and Egypt.
  • He was received warmly back in the U.S., including a White House meeting with President Trump and a celebratory return to his hometown in New Jersey.

3. George Glezmann

  • A U.S. citizen detained by the Taliban since December 2022 was eventually released following extensive negotiations led by Trump administration envoy Adam Boehler, with support from Qatar.
  • He was en route back to the United States at the time of reporting.

4. Marc Fogel

  • As highlighted in a White House press release, the American teacher wrongfully detained in a Russian prison was returned home in February 2025, fulfilling Trump’s promise to his elderly mother
The 1776 Project is building an army of parents and school board leaders to CRUSH the Soros agenda — join the fight! [DONATE NOW]

Judge Rules Lisa Cook May Stay In Role – For Now

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3

    Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her position after a bombshell ruling by a federal judge that followed President Donald Trump’s recent attempt to fire her.

    On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, a Biden appointee based in Washington, D.C., said that she will be moving Cook’s request into a preliminary injunction, which allows Cook to stay in her role, but will last through the entire case until a decision is made, pending any appeal from the government.

    The judge said Cook has shown “irreparable harm” in her time away from the Federal Reserve as she is one of the leaders in controlling monetary policy, adding that “she has lost the ability to fulfill a high-ranking, public-servant role to which she is entitled.”

    Fox Business reports:

    The decision, which follows the Justice Department’s criminal investigation into Cook over allegations of mortgage application fraud, is the latest revelation in a high-stakes lawsuit likely headed to the Supreme Court. The probe could further complicate Cook’s fight to stay in her role on the Fed board, the panel of central bankers tasked with guiding the nation’s monetary policy.

    After a hearing that lasted more than two hours on Aug. 29, Cobb indicated she would move quickly on the case — specifically on whether Trump acted unlawfully in seeking to fire Cook over mortgage fraud allegations.

    Still, she also acknowledged the inherent complexities of the case and the novel requests that both Cook’s lawyers and lawyers for the Justice Department were grappling with for the first time in court. 

    Last week, Cobb granted a request from Cook’s attorneys seeking additional time to file their formal motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO).

    The TRO is a short-term, emergency court order designed to maintain the status quo until a full hearing can be held. In plain terms, Cook asked the court to pause the firing and keep her in office until a full legal hearing can determine whether Trump’s removal was lawful.

    The legal battle kicked off last month when Trump announced in a Truth Social post that he was firing Cook amid claims by his Federal Housing Finance Agency chief, Bill Pulte, that she had committed mortgage fraud.

    Trump ousted Cook on Aug. 25, which prompted her to sue him in federal court three days later. Her lawsuit names as defendants Trump, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

    Pulte claimed that Cook used an Atlanta condo as her primary home, two weeks after taking a loan on a Michigan home she also declared as her primary residence.

    “You are hereby removed from your position on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, effective immediately,” Trump wrote in a letter that accompanied the post.

    Cook’s lawsuit argues that Trump’s move to fire her is unlawful and undermines the Federal Reserve’s independence. The suit, which was filed in federal court on Aug. 28, does not address the allegations that Cook listed multiple houses as a primary residence on mortgage filings. 

    Under the law, Cook has not been charged with any crimes.

    Our progress on border security will vanish if Democrats take the Senate — we can’t let that happen! [CHIP IN TODAY]

    Supreme Court Permits Trump To Remove FTC Member

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      1
      Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

      The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday gave President Donald Trump an important win in his effort to hold unelected regulators accountable, temporarily blocking a lower court order that had reinstated Democratic commissioner Rebecca Slaughter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

      Chief Justice John Roberts issued an administrative stay, granting the justices more time to consider the administration’s formal request to remove Slaughter before her term expires. Roberts also directed Slaughter to file a response by next week.

      Lower Courts Tried to Shield FTC Bureaucrat

      The dispute stems from a July ruling by a D.C. district judge who said Trump could not remove Slaughter, citing outdated removal protections. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in September in a 2-1 decision, relying on the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor v. United States precedent. That case limited President Franklin Roosevelt’s ability to fire an FTC commissioner purely over policy disagreements.

      Supporters of Trump’s position argue that this nearly 90-year-old ruling no longer reflects the modern FTC, which today wields sweeping power over antitrust enforcement and consumer protection—authority that directly impacts the American economy.

      White House Argues for Executive Authority

      In its Supreme Court filing, the administration emphasized that “the modern FTC exercises far more substantial powers than the 1935 FTC,” and therefore its members should be subject to presidential removal, just like other executive branch officials.

      The Supreme Court has already recognized in recent cases that presidents must have the authority to fire those who exercise executive power on their behalf. Trump’s legal team says this case is no different.

      A Pattern of Wins at the High Court

      Since Trump’s return to the White House in January, his administration has repeatedly pushed back against lower courts that tried to block his policies. The Supreme Court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, has largely sided with the administration, reaffirming the president’s constitutional authority to carry out his agenda without interference from unelected bureaucrats or activist judges.

      The 1776 Project is building an army of parents and school board leaders to CRUSH the Soros agenda — join the fight! [DONATE NOW]

      Lachlan Murdoch Assumes Control Of Fox News

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      0
      David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

      The Murdoch media empire — long a pillar of conservative news and opinion — is set for a new era of stability and clarity of vision. The New York Times reported that Rupert Murdoch’s three eldest children, Prue, Liz, and James, will each receive $1.1 billion in exchange for their stakes. With that, the family trust created in 1999 will be dissolved, allowing Lachlan Murdoch to consolidate leadership.

      For Republicans and conservatives across the country, this is more than just a business deal. It’s a decisive move that ensures the future of Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, and the rest of the Murdoch portfolio remains firmly aligned with the values that have made these outlets the backbone of conservative media for decades.

      A Conservative Legacy in Safe Hands

      At 94, Rupert Murdoch has built something few could ever match: a media network that challenges the progressive narratives dominating most mainstream outlets. This agreement means that Rupert’s vision won’t be diluted by competing factions within his own family. Instead, his chosen successor — Lachlan — will steer the ship with a steady, unapologetically conservative hand.

      The press release from News Corp underscored that point directly:

      “Voting control with respect to the News Corp and Fox Corporation shares owned by LGC Holdco will rest solely with Lachlan Murdoch through his appointed managing director. Rupert Murdoch will continue in his role as Chairman Emeritus of the Company.”

      In short, Lachlan Murdoch is not only inheriting the empire — he is inheriting the mission.

      No More Family Divisions

      This move also closes a chapter of internal dispute. For years, some family members — particularly James Murdoch — have signaled discomfort with the conservative direction of the empire. Their exits, now formalized through this $1.1 billion deal, remove any lingering doubts about the editorial future of Fox and News Corp.

      Last year, Rupert and Lachlan attempted to restructure the family trust to consolidate power, but a Nevada judge blocked that effort in December. This new arrangement effectively achieves the same outcome, only cleaner and more decisive.

      Why It Matters for Conservatives

      For conservative audiences, this agreement should be seen as reassurance. In an era when progressive tech companies and liberal-leaning media conglomerates dominate the public square, the Murdoch media empire has stood as one of the few powerful counterweights. By securing Lachlan Murdoch’s sole authority, Rupert Murdoch has guaranteed that these outlets will continue to amplify conservative voices, defend free markets, and challenge political correctness.

      The left may scoff, but for millions of Americans, Fox News and the broader Murdoch network have provided the only alternative to the coastal liberal consensus. The deal ensures that won’t change.

      Looking Ahead

      Rupert Murdoch remains involved as Chairman Emeritus, offering continuity and wisdom, but the future clearly belongs to Lachlan. His leadership will reassure Republicans who rely on Fox, the Journal, and other Murdoch outlets as trusted platforms for conservative news and commentary.

      Our progress on border security will vanish if Democrats take the Senate — we can’t let that happen! [CHIP IN TODAY]

      Homeland Security Announces ‘Midway Blitz’ ICE Operation in Chicago

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      3

      The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched its latest immigration crackdown on Monday, targeting Chicago.

      “DHS is launching Operation Midway Blitz in honor of Katie Abraham who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol in Illinois,” DHS wrote on the social platform X.

      “This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets,” DHS added, referring to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D).

      Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents already have been deployed to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and also rolled out operations in Boston over the weekend as part of President Trump’s sweeping anti-illegal immigration agenda, prompting protests across the country this summer.

      The latest effort marks an anticipated ramp-up of the initiatives.

      Block Newsom’s Power Grab — And His Path to the Presidency! [CHIP IN NOW]

      Happening Today: Jury Selection Begins In Trump Assassination Attempt Case

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      0

      Fort Pierce, Fla. — Jury selection begins Monday in the federal trial of Ryan Routh, who prosecutors say plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in September 2024. The process is expected to conclude by Wednesday.

      Prospective jurors are being questioned under oath in Fort Pierce to determine whether they can serve impartially. Routh, who is representing himself, will directly question jurors alongside federal prosecutors — an unusual dynamic in the courtroom.

      The case is being heard by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who denied a motion from Routh’s defense team seeking her recusal. A Trump appointee, Cannon was randomly assigned to the case.

      Federal prosecutors allege Routh camped near Trump’s golf course for 12 hours with a rifle and aimed at a Secret Service agent before being forced to drop the weapon. Investigators later discovered a letter in which Routh expressed regret that he failed to kill Trump, as well as evidence he sought anti-aircraft weapons and surveillance of Trump’s flights weeks before his arrest.

      Routh faces charges of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple gun violations — crimes carrying potential life sentences. He has pleaded not guilty to both federal and related state charges.

      A 12-member jury, plus alternates, will ultimately decide the case. Federal law requires a unanimous verdict for conviction.

      I SURVIVED an assassin’s bullet — now I fight for YOU. Chip in $15 and STAND WITH TRUMP!

      Widely-Rumored 2028 Democrat Presidential Contender Takes His Name Out of Consideration

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      0
      P0120021CK-1111: President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

      One down…

      Over the weekend, a popular Democrat governor widely believed to be a top 2028 presidential contender officially took his name out of the running.

      Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Sunday said he is “not running for president” in ’28 — knocking out one of the top contenders to lead the Democratic ticket, three years before the election.

      Moore, while appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, was asked by host Kristen Welker if he plans on serving a full term if he wins reelection as governor next year. He told Welker he does plan on serving the full four-year term — leading her to clarify that means he is removing himself from the ’28 field.

      “Do you rule out a run for president, governor?” Welker asked him.

      “Yeah, I’m not running for president,” Moore responded.

      She responded: “You rule it out?”

      Moore then told her “Yes, I’m not running for president.”

      At that point, Welker asked him once again to clarify his intentions, asking if he “completely” ruled it out.

      Here is what Moore said:

      “I’m so excited about what we’re doing. That we’ve gone from 43rd in the country in unemployment to now one of the lowest unemployment rates. We’ve had amongst the fastest drops in violent crime anywhere in the United States of America. Our population is growing. Maryland is moving, and so I’m really excited about going back in front of the people of my state and asking for another term.”

      Watch:

      Last month, Kalshi betting market put Moore at 6% odds to be the party’s nominee — which came in fourth behind California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) at 20%, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) at 15%, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (D) at 10%. The president site Polymarket also had Moore as a top five contender.

      In 2024, the Maryland Governor faced controversy after falsely claiming to be a Bronze Star recipient on a 2006 White House fellowship application. 

      Moore, who was 27 years old when he applied for the White House position, blamed his Army superiors for the inclusion of the falsehood on the application and said he never corrected the mistake because he was eager to “begin the next phase” of his life, in a statement released after the New York Times reported on the embellishment. 

      “These are the facts,” the Maryland governor wrote in his lengthy statement. “While serving overseas with the Army, I was encouraged to fill out an application for the White House Fellowship by my deputy brigade commander. In fact, he helped me edit it before I sent it in. At the time, he had recommended me for the Bronze Star. He told me to include the Bronze Star award on my application after confirming with two other senior-level officers that they had also signed off on the commendation.” 

      Moore noted that his deputy brigade commander “felt comfortable with instructing me to include the award” on the application because he was under the impression that the medal for heroic or meritorious service had already been “approved by his senior leadership.” 

      “In the military, there is an understanding that if a senior officer tells you that an action is approved, you can trust that as a fact. That is why it was part of the application, plain and simple,” the governor explained. 

      “Towards the end of my deployment, I was disappointed to learn that I hadn’t received the Bronze Star. But I was ready to begin the next phase of my life,” Moore continued. 

      Moore deployed to Afghanistan as a lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division in 2005, according to his official governor’s biography. 

      Moore was ultimately awarded the Bronze Star in December 2024 for his deployment to Afghanistan.

      Chicago is BURNING! Sean Hannity sounded the alarm, and President Trump is ready with a MASSIVE plan to SAVE our cities. President Trump CLEANED UP D.C., and he can do it AGAIN! [Complete The Emergency Survey NOW]

      Vanity Fair Floats Melania Cover – Employees Are Staging A Meldtown

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      1
      First Lady Melania Trump participates in the Senate Spouses Luncheon at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, May 21,2025. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

      The desperate anti-Trump lunacy is still going strong…

      Recent reports indicate that Vanity Fair is considering moving ahead with a magazine cover featuring First Lady Melania Trump in the coming months — but only if the feat can be pulled off before all the disgruntled employees walk out the door.

      According to a report published by Semafor on Sunday, the magazine’s new global editorial director Mark Guiducci had indicated a desire to put the first lady on the cover — but as The Daily Mail reported a day later, his staffers may not be entirely onboard with his plan.

      “I will walk out the motherf***ing door, and half my staff will follow me,” one editor told the outlet.

      Another staffer who did not give a name appeared to be in agreement, adding, “We are not going to normalize this despot and his wife; we’re just not going to do it. We’re going to stand for what’s right. If I have to work bagging groceries at Trader Joe’s, I’ll do it. If [Guiducci] puts Melania on the cover, half of the editorial staff will walk out, I guarantee it.”

      One employee told The Daily Mail that the outrage was likely to amount to little more than a few loud complaints and protests, saying that it wasn’t likely many would actually sacrifice their careers to make a political statement about who was on the magazine’s cover.

      “It’s all talk. If they put her on the cover, people will protest and gripe about it, but I don’t see anyone quitting such a prestigious job over that. Honestly, there will be people who push back, but it’s ultimately Mark’s decision. He’s the one who will sink or swim over that choice, not the rest of us.”

      The first lady may not mind if she never makes it to the cover, however, if her last comments on the subject still stand. When the magazine passed over her for a cover during Trump’s first administration — despite featuring former First Lady Michelle Obama on several occasions — she brushed off questions about it and said that it wasn’t important.

      “Look, I’ve been there on the covers — on the cover of Vogue, on the covers of many magazines before,” Trump said, referencing her days as a model and then as Trump’s wife prior to him running for president. “We have so many other important things to do than to be on the cover of any magazine. I think that life would not change for anybody if I’m on the cover.”

      Only a limited number of sets remain! Claim your Aristotle’s Ethics DVD + companion book now with your tax-deductible gift of $150+. Help Hillsdale expand free courses that defend truth, virtue, and freedom. [DONATE & CLAIM YOURS]

      Airbnb Co-Founder Opens Up About Leaving Democrat Party to Support Trump

      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)

      Earlier this week, Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia opened up about why he decided to leave the Democrat Party to support President Donald Trump.

      During an interview with former White House official Katie Miller – the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller – Gebbia revealed how he became drawn to the Republican Party through Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the crisis at the southern border.

      “At what point did you know in the last election that you were like, ‘I wanna help President Trump’? Was it Bobby Kennedy and your love for MAHA? Like, what was it?” asked Miller on The Katie Miller Podcast.

      Gebbia responded, “I’ve been on my journey. Everyone’s been on a journey, and I think through, you know, certainly Bobby Kennedy and supporting him, and I’ve been so grateful for the work that he’s doing, to be somebody who just cares so much about the health of our nation, and you know, has no ties to industry and is really just able to bust through walls and sort of, like, right size the ship.”

      The Airbnb co-founder revealed that he “grew up in an alternative medicine, health food household,” which made him gravitate towards Kennedy when he ran for president on a “Make America Healthy Again” platform.

      Watch:

      However, Gebbia told Miller it was the crisis at the southern border that ultimately made him lose faith in the Democratic Party and become a Republican.

      “I think it was early 2021, mid-2021, the activity at the border caught my attention, and I just remember thinking, ‘What’s going on with this topic? It seems as if there’s no border,’” he said. “And as it got worse that year, I felt like I needed to understand this problem more, so I reached out to my friends, largely on the Democratic side of the house, at all levels, from the highest level all the way down.”

      Gebbia said that while he received “some answers” from friends in the Democratic Party, he ultimately “felt unfulfilled,” and so decided to talk to former Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner about the issue:

      I get on the phone with Jared and say, “Hey, can you help me? Fill in the gaps for me. Like, what am I missing here? Is this normal? Like, seems there’s no enforcement of our own border. Like, don’t nations need borders to be a nation?” And so he put me on this curriculum of just talking to experts in the field, and I remember just being like holy cow, this is crazy. Like, this is not right. This is a real problem and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be enforcing the laws of our country and our border. And so I think, as I started to pull on that thread, I sort of, you know, begin to look at other topics and eventually came to the point where I don’t think I can support a political party that wants to have an open border, that lets in criminals and dangerous people into our country. That’s just not something I can get behind.

      The most effective way to support State Republicans is to stand tall for America FIRST — renew your MAGA pledge today!

      DeSantis Opens ‘Deportation Depot’ in Florida a Day After Alligator Alcatraz Court Victory

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      0
      Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

      Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has opened “Deportation Depot” migrant detention center in Florida, a follow-up to the embattled “Alligator Alcatraz.”

      “Deportation Depot” is located about 45 miles away from Jacksonville in the community of Sanderson, at the site of the Baker Correctional Institution.

      The facility has the capacity for 1,500 detainees, Fox News reported. As of Friday, a little over 100 migrants had been moved there.

      DeSantis said last month that he moved to begin work on a new facility to fulfill an urgent need for more shelter for illegal migrants as they’re rounded up by ICE agents throughout the state.

      “There is a demand for this,” DeSantis told reporters at the time. “I’m confident that it will be filled.”

      The opening of the new facility came a day after the $250 million “Alligator Alcatraz” was granted a rare win by an appeals court.

      The detention center was ordered to ship out all detainees and close within 60 days. The ruling by Judge Kathleen M. Williams stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Friends of the Everglades and the Miccosukee Tribe that accused the Sunshine State of violating the National Environmental Policy Act.

      A stay on Williams’ ruling was granted by a three-judge panel in Atlanta on Thursday, pending an appeal. “Alligator Alcatraz” can continue holding detainees for now.

      In a video posted on his X account Thursday, DeSantis declared: “The mission continues on immigration enforcement.”

      Until yesterday, “Alligator Alcatraz” faced a series of legal and PR losses, with some detainees alleging mistreatment.

      I SURVIVED an assassin’s bullet — now I fight for YOU. Chip in $15 and STAND WITH TRUMP!
      1...8910...274Page 9 of 274
      © Great America News Desk 2022