Free Republic

Donald Trump doubled down Sunday on hard-line campaign pledges to impose trade tariffs and carry out mass deportations, while dangling the idea that the United States could withdraw from NATO. In his first formal television interview -- and just six weeks before he takes office -- Trump again signaled that US support for Ukraine will scale back, saying he will "probably" cut the aid helping Kyiv repel the Russian invasion. Trump also said he would "very quickly" look at pardons for supporters jailed for storming the US Capitol after his 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden. The interview on NBC's...

While some schools across the nation hosted meagerly-attended “Transgivings” around Thanksgiving time, students at Hillsdale College wrote over 4,000 thank-you cards on the school’s annual “Day of Thanks.” Throughout the day on Nov. 21, participating Hillsdale students wrote the thousands of grateful notes to “donors, family members, professors, friends, and others who have supported them throughout their lives and in their college careers,” a school news release stated. Located in Michigan, Hillsdale has an undergraduate enrollment of a little over 1,500 students. The idea for Day of Thanks came from Hillsdale’s students, who “came up with it as part of...

Ahmad al-Sharaa, known as Muhammad al-Jawlani or Abu Muhammad al-Golani, the leader of the Syrian rebels who ousted Bashar al-Assad and have taken over the country, still has a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head as a wanted terrorist. A U.S. State Department website, “Rewards for Justice,” says:Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on Muhammad al-Jawlani, also known as Abu Muhammad al-Golani and Muhammad al-Julani. Al-Jawlani leads the al-Nusrah Front (ANF), al-Qa’ida’s (AQ) affiliate in Syria. In January 2017, ANF merged with several other hardline opposition groups to form Hayat Tahrir...

On December 4, 2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was assassinated in New York City.The very next day, Associated Press reported, “Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reverses decision to put a time limit on anesthesia.”I suppose that for those who subscribe to the branch of philosophy known as “utilitarianism,” it could likely be argued that the killer has already caused a net increase in the total well being of humanity.Wikipedia states:In ethical philosophy, utilitarianism is a family of normative ethical theories that prescribe actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the affected individuals. In other words, utilitarian ideas encourage actions that...

(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden’s controversial pardon of his son Hunter may give President-elect Donald Trump a blank check to issue his own round of pardons upon taking office. Trump said as much in an interview aired Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press when he vowed to pardon a number of people convicted in connection to the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan.. 6, 2021, saying he'd look at each case individually. “These people are living in hell,” he told NBC's Kristen Welker, noting that some had been in jail for three years and promising pardons on...

According to a congressional report made public on Friday, President Joe Biden’s administration has gotten banks to surveil the economic habits of of their customers, especially the ones suspected of supporting President-elect Donald Trump. Under the guise of identifying potential terrorists and money launderers, the FBI and Treasury Department sought help from 16,000 financial institutions without subpoenas looking for tickets purchased to conservative gatherings, the purchase of Bibles or anything with keywords like “Trump” or “MAGA.” The official X account for the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government released its report on X along with the text:...

VIDEOFinally, a true American leader is back in charge as revealed by President Trump's triumphant arrival in France where he was accorded immense respect by other leaders of other nations. And this is what now irks liberals because even they know that Sleepy Joe Biden was treated with pity and contempt by the rest of the world especially when he would wander aimlessly towards the woods or not even know where he was during international meetings. The contrast of Joe Biden now staring blankly at a bowl of pudding with President Trump taking command again is startling and liberals can't...

The historic political comeback of Donald Trump has left Democrats largely unable and unwilling to process what they’ve done to themselves. Yes, they whine and cry and emote, like wounded adolescent narcissists, because that’s all they can do. What of cold-eyed analysis that might compel them to make difficult choices and save what remains of their party? No. They’re afraid. That is beyond them now. They’re locked in their doom loop. In granting Trump the White House through an electoral college landslide and popular vote, American voters also made it clear that they were fed up with leftist ideology. [snip]...

Syrian boy released from horror prison in Damascus area | Documentation In the shadow of the overthrow of the Assad regime, Syrian rebels broke into the notorious prison - and freed women from it • In a documentary that made waves on the Internet - a small boy is seen being released with his mother • Watch Sapir Lipkin | N12 | Published 19:01 12.08.24 After the Syrian rebels took control of Damascus and declared the overthrow of the Assad regime, they arrived today (Sunday) at the infamous Sidania prison in the Damascus area - and released women from it....

Frank DeFazio loses some of his Christmas spirit when he has to cancel his yearly gathering for the homeless and poor. The girls and friends step in to help him keep the holiday meaningful for the less fortunate.

The collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government marks the end of a nearly 54-year dynasty that began in 1971 under his father, Hafez al-Assad. Assad’s ouster would end his 24-year iron rule and the 54-year Assad family dynasty, which began with his father, Hafez Assad, in 1971. Bashar Assad took power in 2000 following his father’s death and struggled for 13 years to maintain control during a brutal civil war that devastated the nation. "After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and (forced) displacement... we announce today the end of this dark period...

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson has been arrested on federal public corruption charges alleging that she orchestrated "a complicated kickback scheme" to steal city funds, officials said Friday.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors on Sunday detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week’s brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol, making him the first figure detained over the case. The development came a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him in parliament, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The main opposition Democratic Party said it will prepare a new impeachment motion against Yoon. On Sunday, ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was taken...

Building America’s Future, a conservative nonprofit, is pouring half a million dollars into an ad buy to support Pete Hegseth in his battle to be confirmed as Trump’s next Secretary of Defense, the Daily Caller learned first. The nonprofit’s ad will run on national TV but will also specifically target digital platforms across the state of Iowa, according to a press release obtained by the Daily Caller. Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst is one of the senators who is threatening Hegseth’s confirmation chances. She has indicated that she was still undecided on her vote, despite a long meeting together. “America...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Luke 3:5–6These, the words of the prophet Isaiah, were spoken about the mission of Saint John the Baptist. John was to “Prepare the way of the Lord” and to “make straight his paths.” In prophesying this, Isaiah goes on to give this very descriptive image of John’s ministry. It would be one that levels mountains and valleys, straightens every winding...

Donald Trump has issued an ominous warning to Vladimir Putin to secure a ceasefire with Ukraine after Syrian rebels toppled their longtime leader - a major Kremlin ally. Trump voiced his views via Truth Social after Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, fled amid a dramatic coup following more than 13 years of civil war in the country. The Islamist rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria in the heart of the region - allies who propped up Assad during critical periods in the conflict. Trump tied the seismic moment in the Middle East...

On his first day back at the White House next month, Donald Trump plans to issue pardons for all January 6 defendants. The president-elect said it's a high priority for him to get those who rioted at the Capitol in 2021 out of where they are held in prisons and jails because they have been there for years while he ran for a second term. 'I'm going to be acting very quickly,' Trump told NBC News in his first post-victory interview aired on Sunday.

Eventually, everything in politics goes full circle. If you wait long enough, it all turns Ecclesiastes 3. Take Joni Ernst, the junior senator from Iowa, for example. She burst onto the national scene, pledging to “cut pork” in a very memorable way: When your opening line is, “I’m Joni Ernst, I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm,” not only do you have our attention — you’ve got us squirming in our seats. (Ouch.) Before the castration spot aired, Ernst was struggling to raise money, trailing Republican frontrunner Mark Jacobs by several points for the GOP nomination. Conservative women...

New Yorkers mockingly celebrated the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Washington Square Park with a truly tasteless shooter look-a-like contest — as the frantic manhunt for the brazen killer entered its fourth day. Eight contestants donning hooded outerwear and face masks were surrounded Friday by dozens of onlookers, whose cheers amounted to votes in the nose-thumbing stunt. The winner, whose green jacket and face covering made him a dead ringer for the cold-blooded assassin, said he headed toward the park after hearing about the contest that morning.

Jacob asked that I let this group know of his passing. Jacob was one of the strongest and bravest persons I have ever known. He chose to be the first autistic person to have a double lung transplant at Henry Ford Hospital so that he could contribute to helping others as well as having an extra 16 months of life. Jacob passed peacefully on 10/6/24 with his family at his side. It brought him great joy to see all the responses and kindness expressed in support for him in this difficult time. He was one of a kind and is...