In the wake of the release of American-Israeli Edan Alexander by the terrorist group Hamas, which still holds dozens of hostages abducted in their October 7, 2023, massacre of over 1,200 Israelis, some prominent GOP leaders were undeterred in urging that the terrorist group be eliminated.
Hamas released Alexander, apparently to curry favor with the U.S., as Israel has blocked aid into Gaza, where Hamas has routinely seized supplies intended for civilians and reportedly resold them on the black market.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) responded to the freeing of Alexander by writing, “Hamas terrorists brutally tortured Edan Alexander and held him hostage for 19 months. Thanks to @POTUS ’s strength and leadership, Edan on his way home. We’re glad he’s heading home but this should have never happened. We demand justice for all of those still held hostage and we stand with Israel in the fight to eliminate Hamas.”
Hamas terrorists brutally tortured Edan Alexander and held him hostage for 19 months. Thanks to @POTUS’s strength and leadership, Edan on his way home.
We’re glad he’s heading home but this should have never happened.
We demand justice for all of those still held hostage and… https://t.co/J7yvbuX2rf
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 12, 2025
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), a veteran who served in the war in Iraq as a platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division and led a 41-man air assault, echoed, “After more than 580 days in captivity Edan Alexander is free from Hamas terrorists. I commend President Trump for his tireless efforts to free the hostages. And we should encourage Israel to keep up the pressure to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home.”
After more than 580 days in captivity Edan Alexander is free from Hamas terrorists. I commend President Trump for his tireless efforts to free the hostages. And we should encourage Israel to keep up the pressure to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) May 12, 2025
Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) maintained a vigilant eye on Iran, for whom Hamas acts as a murderous proxy, writing, “While negotiating with Iran, the goal must be full dismantlement of their nuclear program. The Biden administration allowed them to build out their nuclear program for four years while keeping the cameras off. If they are allowed to keep any part of the program, they will be able to cheat — and the Ayatollah has cheated on every deal he’s ever signed.”
While negotiating with Iran, the goal must be full dismantlement of their nuclear program.
The Biden administration allowed them to build out their nuclear program for four years while keeping the cameras off. If they are allowed to keep any part of the program, they will be… pic.twitter.com/XkLtZ1VTZT
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) May 12, 2025
And to dispel rumors that President Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are undergoing a frostiness in their relationship, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee chimed in, “Excellent meeting w/ @IsraeliPM. Cooperative efforts with @POTUS & @IsraeliPM resulted in Edan Alexander release. Witkoff, & Huckabee meet ahead of hostage release. Forget rumors. We’re all on same page.”
Excellent meeting w/ @IsraeliPM. Cooperative efforts with @POTUS & @IsraeliPM resulted in Edan Alexander release. Witkoff, & Huckabee meet ahead of hostage release. Forget rumors. We’re all on same page. https://t.co/UrKsxtUWSS
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) May 12, 2025
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[[{“value”:”
In the wake of the release of American-Israeli Edan Alexander by the terrorist group Hamas, which still holds dozens of hostages abducted in their October 7, 2023, massacre of over 1,200 Israelis, some prominent GOP leaders were undeterred in urging that the terrorist group be eliminated.
Hamas released Alexander, apparently to curry favor with the U.S., as Israel has blocked aid into Gaza, where Hamas has routinely seized supplies intended for civilians and reportedly resold them on the black market.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) responded to the freeing of Alexander by writing, “Hamas terrorists brutally tortured Edan Alexander and held him hostage for 19 months. Thanks to @POTUS ’s strength and leadership, Edan on his way home. We’re glad he’s heading home but this should have never happened. We demand justice for all of those still held hostage and we stand with Israel in the fight to eliminate Hamas.”
Hamas terrorists brutally tortured Edan Alexander and held him hostage for 19 months. Thanks to @POTUS’s strength and leadership, Edan on his way home.
We’re glad he’s heading home but this should have never happened.
We demand justice for all of those still held hostage and… https://t.co/J7yvbuX2rf
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 12, 2025
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), a veteran who served in the war in Iraq as a platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division and led a 41-man air assault, echoed, “After more than 580 days in captivity Edan Alexander is free from Hamas terrorists. I commend President Trump for his tireless efforts to free the hostages. And we should encourage Israel to keep up the pressure to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home.”
After more than 580 days in captivity Edan Alexander is free from Hamas terrorists. I commend President Trump for his tireless efforts to free the hostages. And we should encourage Israel to keep up the pressure to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) May 12, 2025
Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) maintained a vigilant eye on Iran, for whom Hamas acts as a murderous proxy, writing, “While negotiating with Iran, the goal must be full dismantlement of their nuclear program. The Biden administration allowed them to build out their nuclear program for four years while keeping the cameras off. If they are allowed to keep any part of the program, they will be able to cheat — and the Ayatollah has cheated on every deal he’s ever signed.”
While negotiating with Iran, the goal must be full dismantlement of their nuclear program.
The Biden administration allowed them to build out their nuclear program for four years while keeping the cameras off. If they are allowed to keep any part of the program, they will be… pic.twitter.com/XkLtZ1VTZT
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) May 12, 2025
And to dispel rumors that President Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are undergoing a frostiness in their relationship, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee chimed in, “Excellent meeting w/ @IsraeliPM. Cooperative efforts with @POTUS & @IsraeliPM resulted in Edan Alexander release. Witkoff, & Huckabee meet ahead of hostage release. Forget rumors. We’re all on same page.”
Excellent meeting w/ @IsraeliPM. Cooperative efforts with @POTUS & @IsraeliPM resulted in Edan Alexander release. Witkoff, & Huckabee meet ahead of hostage release. Forget rumors. We’re all on same page. https://t.co/UrKsxtUWSS
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) May 12, 2025
“}]]