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‘Freedoms are never free’: A Jewish American soldier buried with Nazis finally laid to rest with US troops
Eighty years after being wounded and dying in the Battle of Cherbourg, U.S. 1st Lieutenant Nathan Baskind was laid to rest with his comrades in the Normandy American Cemetery in France.
The Jewish American officer from Pittsburgh, Pa., was considered missing for decades, with his family not knowing what happened to him after he came ashore on Utah Beach on D-Day with the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion.
In the heat of the Battle of Cherbourg on June 23, 1944, Baskind was lost. German records later revealed that he was ambushed and shot before being taken prisoner by German forces and sent to a Luftwaffe field hospital. Later that day, Baskind succumbed to his wounds and was buried in a mass grave with 23 Nazi soldiers.
After World War II, the mass grave containing Baskind’s remains was combined with another one and both were moved to the Marigny (Normandie) German War Graves Cemetery.
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In 1957, the American Grave Registration Service attempted to identify Baskind’s remains, but failed. However, his unit patch, lieutenant’s bars and dog tag were recovered. The Baskind family was not made aware of this because of the lack of a positive definitive identification.
“Nathan Baskind is a unique story, even for us,” Operation Benjamin co-founder and chief historian Shalom Lamm told Fox News Digital.
Operation Benjamin is a nonprofit that works to correct the headstones of Jewish American soldiers who were accidentally buried under a cross instead of a Star of David. Lamm explained that some Jewish American soldiers opted to put other faiths or none at all on their dog tags for various reasons.
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“We were given a hint, sort of a curiosity from a wonderful genealogist who at that time did not work for us, although he does now, and he said he had come across something that he thought was very unusual,” Lamm said. “That he was going through German databases of military cemeteries — people do that — and he found the name Nathan Baskind. And he said, that didn’t make sense to him because Nathan is not a German name.”
Operation Benjamin took the lead and ran with it, eventually discovering who Baskind was. They quickly realized that he had been considered missing for 79 years and that his family did not know what had happened to him. The organization then worked to find Baskind’s next-of-kin, who turned out to be his great-niece, Samantha Baskind, an author and professor.
“When I first heard about Uncle Nate, I was floored. I didn’t actually even believe at the beginning that this was true when I first received an email from Shalom,” she said.
Samantha Baskind told Fox News Digital that the lack of knowledge about her great-uncle’s fate was “a jagged scar that has run through our family.”
In order to get the Jewish American soldier out of a mass grave, Operation Benjamin had to seek permission from multiple countries, including the U.S., Germany and France. When the organization first made its case to Brigadier General Secretary General Dirk Backen at the German War Graves Commission (Volksbund), he initially said he could not help.
Backen explained to Fox News Digital that he knew about Baskind’s case before Operation Benjamin approached him. He had already been asked about moving Baskind’s remains, and he denied the request based on the 1950s documents that showed previous attempts to identify the body had failed. However, Backen reconsidered Operation Benjamin’s request after mulling over the advances in DNA analysis and getting a video of Baskind’s great-niece asking for help.
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“Operation Benjamin presented a video from Professor Samantha Baskind, the grand-niece of Nathan B. Baskind, and she asked us for help. How can you say no to that?” Backen recalled in a conversation with Fox News Digital.
Once they had permission to open the grave, a team of 17 people, including Germans, Americans, anthropologists and volunteers spent three days in December hand-exhuming the grave. Lamm recalled how the team went through “thousands and thousands of bones” to find one that could match Baskind. One major hint was Baskind’s height.
“[He] was five-foot-five, which made him perfect, of course, to be in a tank. But five-foot-five was short, even for those times,” Lamm said.
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Eventually, the team was able to find human remains that had an extremely high-level DNA match to Baskind.
“We had these tiny samples of bone analyzed in the United States… and we had prior to this gotten DNA samples from the remaining Baskind descendants, and we hit an absolutely spectacular match. We had Nathan Baskind,” Lamm said.
Samantha Baskind said that when Lamm called her to say that the DNA matched, they were both “stunned.” She recalled having an “incredibly emotional conversation” about the discovery. Then, she had to plan a burial for her great-uncle, a man she never knew.
“I had to choose a casket and sign documents about the disposition of his remains, which of course is really emotional for me. And surprising, 80 years after my great-uncle died, I’m the next of kin and I’m planning his burial,” she said.
On June 23, 2024, the 80th anniversary of his death, Baskind was buried at the Normandy American Cemetery with full military honors and in accordance with Jewish law and tradition.
Samantha Baskind said that seeing her great-uncle buried under a Star of David alongside his fellow Americans brought a sense of closure that her family had been missing for decades.
“As Nate’s great-niece, I am so proud that we found him, that I could participate in finding him, and that I can carry his memory forward forever,” she told Fox News Digital.
For Backen, playing a role in helping move Baskind to an American cemetery became about more than correcting a historical error. He told Fox News Digital that his own great-uncle died in almost the same area of Normandy within days of Baskind’s death. He reflected on the possibility that the two soldiers encountered each other in battle and thought about what would have happened if they both survived.
“Would they be able to shake hands?” Backen said. “And all I could imagine was, I wish they would.”
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He also framed the effort to have Baskind reburied as part of the post-World War II relationship between Germany and the U.S.
“It is about showing our neighbors, our friends, that we have chosen a different path now,” Backen said.
Backen, who served alongside American troops in Afghanistan, said the case also reinforced the human cost of war.
“War is a curse. It’s a malaise to everyone, even for the winners… I personally believe — and I’ve been to war in Afghanistan — there’s no glory in war,” he said.
Lamm said that Baskind’s recovery and reburial serve as a reminder of the sacrifices that American servicemembers have made in defense of their country.
“People gave their lives, gave all of their tomorrows, so that we could have better todays, and that is something very, very profound,” he said.
For Samantha Baskind, her great-uncle’s story reflects the often-overlooked role that Jewish Americans have played in defending the U.S. She dismissed “canards related to Jews who don’t fight,” noting that her great-uncle “fought and gave up his life for this country’s freedoms.”
“His story shows us that freedoms are never free,” she said.
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Tucker Carlson Officially Makes Shock Announcement — He’s Out
A growing divide within the conservative movement is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, as longtime commentator Tucker Carlson declared that he no longer considers himself a Republican, citing frustration with what he sees as the party’s abandonment of its America First roots.
Carlson made the remarks during a podcast appearance with hosts Travis Dhanraj and Karman Wong, where the discussion turned to the political landscape ahead of the upcoming midterm elections and whether voters remain satisfied with the direction of the Republican Party.
While Carlson made clear that he remains aligned with many conservative principles, he argued that some Republican leaders have drifted away from the priorities that helped fuel President Donald Trump’s rise and transformed the GOP into the dominant force it is today.
“I’m out,” Carlson said during the interview.
“And if I’m out, then I think a lot of other people are out.”
Carlson’s comments came as he discussed polling data and voter sentiment ahead of the next election cycle.
“I would not support the Republican party. There’s no chance I would support the Republican party,” he said.
The former Fox News host argued that certain Republican lawmakers had betrayed their voters by supporting policies he believes put foreign interests ahead of American priorities.
“How could I or any American voter support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States? That puts the interests of a foreign country above those of its own citizens?
“It’s not possible to vote for people like that, and I’m not going to.”
Carlson’s remarks highlight a growing debate inside conservative circles over the future direction of the Republican Party.
At the center of the disagreement is not President Trump himself, but rather how some Republicans have approached foreign policy, military intervention, and America’s role overseas.
Trump built his political movement on the promise of putting American interests first, securing the border, rebuilding the economy, restoring energy independence, and avoiding the endless foreign conflicts that frustrated many voters for decades.
Many of Trump’s supporters continue to view the America First agenda as one of the defining achievements of his political movement.
Carlson suggested that some Republicans have lost sight of those principles.
“I think I’ve voted Republican my entire life,” Carlson said.
“I’ve been a consistent defender for 35 years, of the Republican party. I mean, a very consistent defender.”
“But there’s no defending this because it’s immoral and it’s exactly the opposite of what a political party in a democracy is charged with doing — which is representing its own voters, its own citizens, its own nation.”
“And they’re not doing that,” Carlson concluded.
The comments come amid an ongoing debate among conservatives regarding foreign policy, particularly following recent tensions involving Iran and the broader Middle East.
Carlson has been one of the most vocal advocates of a non-interventionist approach that emphasizes American interests above foreign entanglements. Other conservatives, including commentators and lawmakers aligned with a more traditional hawkish worldview, have argued that a strong American presence abroad remains necessary to protect national security.
The disagreement intensified after military operations involving Iran earlier this year, with Carlson and several other prominent voices warning against policies they believe could lead to deeper involvement in overseas conflicts.
Despite those disagreements, Carlson has generally continued to support many of Trump’s domestic policies, including border security, immigration enforcement, energy production, and efforts to prioritize American workers and taxpayers.
The broader divide illustrates the ongoing evolution of the Republican Party under Trump’s influence.
For decades, the GOP was largely defined by traditional establishment conservatives who favored aggressive foreign policy and intervention abroad. Trump’s rise fundamentally reshaped that coalition, bringing millions of working-class voters, independents, and populist conservatives into the party.
Today, debates like the one Carlson has raised reflect a larger question facing Republicans: how closely the party will adhere to the America First principles that helped fuel Trump’s political success.
Whether Carlson ultimately returns to the Republican fold remains to be seen. But his comments underscore a reality that many political observers have noted in recent years: the future of the conservative movement is increasingly being shaped by debates over foreign policy, national sovereignty, and what it truly means to put America first.
As those discussions continue, one thing remains clear: the America First movement that transformed Republican politics is still driving much of the conversation inside the conservative movement today.
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Top Fox News Host Suffers Deranged Meltdown On LIVE TV — Doesn’t End Well…
A growing divide within the conservative movement spilled into public view this weekend as Fox News host Mark Levin launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump’s Iran strategy, accusing the administration of pressuring Israel while pursuing a diplomatic agreement designed to permanently prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The dispute comes as the Trump administration continues negotiations with Tehran following a series of devastating military strikes that crippled Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, eliminated key regime leaders, and left the Islamic Republic in one of the weakest positions it has faced in decades.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have argued that the administration is negotiating from a position of overwhelming strength after demonstrating a willingness to use military force when necessary. Their goal, they say, is simple: ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon while avoiding another endless war in the Middle East.
Levin, however, remains deeply skeptical.
During a fiery monologue that lasted more than 17 minutes on Saturday, the longtime conservative commentator accused members of the administration of unfairly targeting Israel while becoming too optimistic about Iran’s intentions.
“I want to say to people in and out of the administration: stop trashing, smearing, bullying the little state of Israel. Stop cozying up to and telling us that the enemy regime in Iran is now more rational, more moderate, and a regime that we can deal with,” Levin demanded. “When just a few months ago they slaughtered 50,000 people, they’re still hanging young people today and, if they had a nuclear missile today, they’d fire it into our country as sure as I’m alive.”
Levin also rejected any suggestion that Israel should allow outside governments to dictate its security decisions.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but if people think they can bully a little country, Israel — a people that have existed 4,000 years through the Babylonians and the Persians, through the Romans and the Third Reich — into surrendering their defense and their decision on how to secure their country, they get another thing coming,” Levin continued. “I think it’s outrageous.”
The criticism did not stop there.
Levin also used social media to question several administration policies, including reports surrounding a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar and modified for use supporting presidential airlift operations.
“If it’s legal and other countries do it so be it. Do you think wealthy countries should be able to lavish gifts on our government?” Levin wrote.
His sharpest criticism, however, focused on the administration’s efforts to secure a broader peace agreement with Iran and its proxies.
“Item #1 in the MOU provides there’s an immediate and permanent end to the war and that includes Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran is Hezbollah,” Levin posted. “What’s the enforcement mechanism? Nothing. Israel defends itself after constant attacks from Hezbollah and is admonished for it. Its interests are not aligned with ours, we’re told. It’s endangering the peace deal. This is beyond nuts.”
In another post, Levin argued that current ceasefire efforts were coming at Israel’s expense.
“Apparently as long as Israeli soldiers are killed the ceasefire is holding,” Levin claimed.
The administration has strongly rejected suggestions that it is abandoning Israel or weakening its support for America’s closest ally in the Middle East.
President Trump responded directly Sunday with a warning aimed squarely at Iran and its regional proxies.
“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
For supporters of the administration, that message demonstrates exactly why they remain confident in Trump’s approach. They argue that no modern president has shown a greater willingness to confront Iran militarily while simultaneously seeking a diplomatic resolution that serves American interests.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both emphasized that any final agreement would require Iran to permanently abandon its nuclear ambitions, submit to extensive inspections, and comply with strict verification requirements before receiving any economic benefits.
Administration officials also note that no sanctions have been lifted, no frozen assets have been released, and no direct payments have been authorized.
Instead, they argue that Trump has successfully put Iran in a position where the regime must choose between compliance and continued isolation.
The disagreement highlights a broader debate that has been developing inside the Republican Party for years.
Traditional foreign-policy hawks often favor maintaining maximum military pressure and remain deeply skeptical of negotiations with hostile regimes.
Trump’s America First coalition generally supports overwhelming military strength but prefers leveraging that strength into favorable deals that avoid long-term military entanglements.
Supporters of the president argue that Trump’s strategy reflects the same formula that has defined much of his foreign policy: peace through strength.
Strike hard when necessary. Demonstrate unquestionable resolve. Negotiate from a position of power. And avoid the costly nation-building efforts and endless conflicts that frustrated many Americans for decades.
As negotiations continue, the debate between Levin and the Trump administration reflects a larger question facing conservatives: how best to secure American interests abroad while staying true to the America First principles that have reshaped the Republican Party.
For now, President Trump appears committed to proving that military strength and diplomacy are not opposing strategies—but complementary tools for achieving lasting peace and protecting America’s national security.
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It’s Over! The House Votes 396-13 — Trump Just Won!
In a rare display of bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the amended 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act this week, advancing a package of reforms designed to tackle America’s housing affordability crisis while delivering on several key priorities championed by President Donald Trump.
The legislation passed by a decisive 396-13 vote, reflecting broad agreement that soaring housing costs, rising rents, and limited inventory have pushed homeownership out of reach for millions of Americans.
Supporters say the bill addresses one of the country’s most pressing economic challenges by cutting red tape, increasing housing supply, strengthening lending opportunities, and helping ensure that American families—not large corporations—have a fair shot at buying homes.
The legislation combines elements of previous House and Senate proposals and seeks to address housing shortages that have contributed to record-high home prices in many parts of the country.
House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill praised the measure as a practical, results-oriented solution focused on expanding opportunities for working Americans.
“This bill prioritizes American families by expanding homeownership, enhancing affordability, reducing burdensome regulations that drive up costs, and increasing housing supply nationwide,” Chairman Hill stated.
“Importantly, it delivers on President Trump’s call to limit institutional investors from competing with the American people as they seek to purchase a home,” Hill added.
The legislation includes a variety of reforms aimed at accelerating housing construction and reducing barriers that have slowed development for years.
Among its key provisions, the bill streamlines federal permitting requirements, reduces lengthy environmental review processes for certain redevelopment and infill housing projects, and encourages innovative housing solutions such as modular and manufactured homes.
The measure also provides grants to local governments willing to modernize zoning laws and remove restrictions that limit new construction.
Supporters argue that restrictive zoning policies, excessive permitting delays, and government bureaucracy have significantly contributed to America’s housing shortage.
Rather than relying on massive new federal spending programs, the legislation focuses on empowering local communities, encouraging private-sector investment, and removing obstacles that make housing more expensive.
The bill also raises loan limits for multifamily housing developments, creating incentives for apartment construction and expanding options for renters and first-time buyers alike.
Additional provisions strengthen rural housing initiatives, expand support for veterans seeking housing, modernize financing for smaller mortgage loans, and increase the role community banks can play in local lending markets.
Community banks have long argued that excessive regulations have made it more difficult for them to serve homebuyers and construction projects in their local communities.
Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters acknowledged the seriousness of the housing crisis despite broader political disagreements.
“America is in the middle of a full-blown affordable housing and homelessness crisis, and working families are burdened by skyrocketing rents and a housing market that is pushing homeownership further out of reach,” Waters said.
One of the most notable aspects of the legislation is its effort to curb the growing influence of large institutional investors in the housing market.
For years, investment firms and corporate landlords have purchased thousands of single-family homes, often outbidding families and first-time homebuyers. Critics argue that this trend has driven up prices while transforming communities into rental markets dominated by large corporations.
The legislation includes targeted restrictions designed to discourage large institutional investors from acquiring additional single-family homes.
That approach aligns closely with President Trump’s housing agenda.
Throughout his second administration, Trump has repeatedly argued that homeownership should remain a cornerstone of the American Dream and that government policies should prioritize families over Wall Street investors.
In his National Homeownership Month proclamation earlier this month, Trump emphasized the importance of restoring affordability and expanding opportunities for future homeowners.
“During National Homeownership Month, my Administration recommits to making housing more affordable so that young Americans and hardworking families can raise children, build memories, and create a future in a home of their own,” Trump said.
The president has frequently blamed the housing crisis on “reckless spending, burdensome regulations, and failed housing policies” implemented under previous administrations, as well as “mass illegal immigration and large institutional investors” that have increased pressure on housing supply.
Trump has also taken executive actions aimed at reducing institutional ownership of single-family homes, lowering mortgage costs, and strengthening federal housing programs.
“Under my leadership, America will be a Nation where homes belong to families — not corporations,” Trump said.
At the same time, Trump has emphasized the importance of protecting the value of homes already owned by millions of Americans.
“I don’t want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes. Existing housing, people who own their homes, we’re going to keep them wealthy. We’re going to keep those prices up. We’re not going to destroy the value of their homes so that somebody that didn’t work very hard can buy a home,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting earlier this year.
He has also repeatedly summarized his housing philosophy with a simple message:
“Homes are built for people, not for corporations, and America will not become a nation of renters.”
With overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and growing concern over affordability nationwide, supporters hope the legislation will mark a significant step toward restoring homeownership opportunities and ensuring that the American Dream remains within reach for future generations.
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