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White House Chief Of Staff Accidentally Reveals Name Of American Female ISIS Hostage

Chuck Ross Investigative Reporter
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White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough accidentally let slip the first name of an American female aid worker being held hostage by ISIS on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday.

McDonough was asked host George Stephanopoulos about the Japanese hostage being held by the terrorist group, as well as the lone American still in captivity — a 26-year-old woman who was captured in Aug. 2013.

“As it relates to our hostages, we are obviously continuing to work those matters very, very aggressively,” McDonough said. “We are sparing no expense and sparing no effort, both in trying to make sure that we know where they are and make sure that we’re prepared to do anything we must to try to get them home.”

“But [redacted] family knows how strongly the president feels about this, and we will continue to work this.”

Reached for comment by Politico, National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan, said: “We don’t have anything to add, other than to request again that you not use the name of the individual.”

ISIS reportedly demanded a $6.6 million ransom and prisoners in exchange for the woman.

ISIS has executed three Americans so far — journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff in August and September, respectively, and aid worker Peter Kassig in November.

Earlier this week, the group beheaded one of its two Japanese hostages.

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