I also recently signed an executive order increasing the consequences for criminal groups and terrorists who engage in the appalling practice of treating human beings as bargaining chips, political pawns.Īnd just two days ago, my administration announced the first sanctions under this new authority, punishing individuals and security services in Russia and Iran who’ve been part of the wrongful defen- detention of Americans.Ībove all, across government, experts are working day and night to bring our fellow Americans home, much of which, as you well know, we can’t talk about. Right? (Laughter.)īecause of our unrelenting efforts, we’ve been able to bring home dozens of hostages and wrongfully detainees - wrongful detainees from Afghanistan, Burma, Haiti, Iran, Rwanda, Venezuela, across West Africa, and around the world.īut we’re doing everything we can to prevent these cases from occurring in the first place.įor example, the State Department added the threat of detention as a new risk indicator to its travel advisories to go along with the threat of kidnapping to warn Americans where these threats are highest abroad. I get to bring my granddaughter, my All-State girl, to see you. (Applause.) And, boy, I can hardly wait to see you back on the court, kid. This time last year, we were praying for you, Brittney, hoping you knew how hard all of us were fighting for your release. ![]() (Applause.)īrittney - where you are, kid? Stand up. Tonight, unlike last year, Brittney Griner is here with her wife Cherelle. (Applause.)Īs a nation, we’ll never give up on hope. And I promise you I am working like hell to get them home. The sorrow of uncertainty.īut I want them and their families to know Jill and I understand. In a sense, it’s almost worse than the pain of having lost a child and looking at that empty chair. Their stories may not make headlines or hashtags, but every day - every day, their family looks at that empty chair at the kitchen table - birthdays, anniversaries, holidays without them. (Applause.)Īnd there are other Americans being unjustly held in Iran, Venezuela, China, and elsewhere. ![]() And I promise you neither will I and neither will this administration until we get him home. Paul Whelan - unjustly held in Russia for more than four years, whose brave sister I’ve met with and whose family has never quit fighting for Paul. Tonight, our message is this: Journalism is not a crime.Įvan and Austin should be released immediately, along with every other American held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. And we are not ceasing our effort to get him, find him, and bring him home. Marine - three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.Īustin - Austin was a fearless journalist and a future lawyer.Īs a consequence of Austin showing the world the cost of war, he’s been detained in Syria for nearly 11 years. When he was a kid, he was an Eagle Scout, a Big Brother, a born protector, a U.S. (Applause.) She knows from our several conversations - the conversations with me and my senior staff - we are not giving up.Īs I told you at this dinner last year, as I told you in the Oval Office, you’ve raised an incredible son. (Applause.) His mom Debra is here tonight. We also keep the faith for Austin - Austin Tice. (Applause.) We’re working every day to secure his release, looking at opportunities and tools to bring him home. To the entire family: Everyone in this hall stands with you. In an interview, his mom Ella said, “One of the American qualities that we absorbed is to be optimistic. A handwritten letter from prison to his family, Evan wrote, quote, “I am not losing hope.” (Applause.) To Evan’s parents Ella, Mikhail, and sister Danielle, as I’ve told you in person: We - not just me - we all stand with you.Įvan went to report in Russia to shed light on the darkness that you all escaped from years ago.Ībsolute courage. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate…to prefer the latter.” Thomas Jefferson wrote - you all know this quote. Jill, Kamala, Doug, and I, and members of our administration are here to send a message to the country and, quite frankly, to the world: The free press is a pillar - maybe the pillar - of a free society, not the enemy. THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you, Tam, for that introduction - I think. Get Involved Show submenu for “Get Involved””.The White House Show submenu for “The White House””.Office of the United States Trade Representative.Office of Science and Technology Policy.Executive Offices Show submenu for “Executive Offices””.Administration Show submenu for “Administration””.
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