President Donald Trump announced that Turkish officials freed Pastor Andrew Brunson on Friday, another diplomatic win for the administration.
“PASTOR BRUNSON JUST RELEASED,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “WILL BE HOME SOON!”
The president also offered “thoughts and prayers” for the pastor as he prepares to return home after two years in a Turkish prison.
Trump took a special interest in Brunson’s case after Turkish officials imprisoned him for what the president described as “phony charges” of spying.
“Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason,” Trump wrote in April. “They call him a Spy, but I am more a Spy than he is”:
Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason. They call him a Spy, but I am more a Spy than he is. Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018
Trump took an aggressive stance with Turkey over Brunson’s detainment, announcing sanctions in August to pressure Turkish officials to free him.
“Pastor Brunson’s unjust detention and continued prosecution by Turkish officials is simply unacceptable,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on August 1. “President Trump has made it abundantly clear that the United States expects Turkey to release him immediately”:
Ten days later, Trump doubled tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum:
PASTOR BRUNSON JUST RELEASED. WILL BE HOME SOON!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2018
Working very hard on Pastor Brunson!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with Pastor Brunson, and we hope to have him safely back home soon!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2018
Vice President Mike Pence also celebrated the release of Pastor Brunson:
We thank God for answered prayers and commend the efforts of @SecPompeo & @StateDept in supporting Pastor Brunson and his family during this difficult time. @SecondLady and I look forward to welcoming Pastor Brunson and his courageous wife Norine back to the USA! 🇺🇸
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 12, 2018
Pastor Andrew Brunson is coming home! Thanks to the strong leadership of @POTUS Trump and the steadfast prayers of millions of Americans, this innocent man of faith will soon be home!
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 12, 2018
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