Free Republic

President Donald Trump warmly received three Americans back from North Korean imprisonment early Thursday, calling their release a vindication of his aggressive foreign policy strategy. But many Americans jailed by other repressive regimes around the world appear to have gained little from Trump’s ad-hoc and often confrontational international approach, their advocates say, and in several cases the president may have actually made it harder for them to come home.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer bizarrely attacked the Trump administration Wednesday over the successful release of three American prisoners held by North Korea; suggesting the hostages were used as “bargaining chips.” Schumer offered his scathing critique just hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo left the Korean peninsula with the three prisoners by his side; saying “No regime has the right to hold American citizens in captivity without cause, and under no circumstances should American citizens be viewed as bargaining chips.” “If countries in the world think they can detain Americans and get something in return, we’ll see many more...

Three Americans released by North Korea on Wednesday have thanked President Donald Trump and his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for securing their freedom. The men are flying to Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, where Mr Trump will welcome them early on Thursday. The White House said they had been freed as a gesture of goodwill ahead of the planned meeting between Mr Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Mr Trump said the venue for the talks would be announced "within three days".

Americans' homecoming. VP President already arrived at AFB. Secretary Of State Pompeo should land shortly with freed Americans.

President Obama offered a public prayer Thursday for two Americans held separately by North Korea and Iran, saying his administration will continue to fight for their release. Mr. Obama said at the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington that the U.S. “will do everything in our power” to gain the release of Kenneth Bae, a Christian missionary in prison in North Korea, and the Rev. Saeed Abedini of Boise, Idaho, who remains imprisoned in Iran SNIP The president prayed, “Let us never forget those who are persecuted today, among them Americans of faith. “