Trump helps secure release of pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkish prison
October 13, 2018
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff / CCL
If there is one thing that President Donald Trump continues to demonstrate, it is that strong leadership gets results on the international stage.
It was announced on Friday that Andrew Brunson, the North Carolina pastor who has been detained in Turkey for the past two years, has been released and is en route to the United States.
Brunson bound homeward
Yesterday morning President Trump spoke with reporters after Brunson’s release was confirmed.
“He’s, I think, in good shape,” said Trump. “He’ll be stopping most likely in Germany for a full check-up and then he’s going to be coming to the Oval Office, most likely on Saturday.”
“But we’re very honored to have him back with us. He suffered greatly, but we’re very appreciative to a lot of people,” Trump continued.
According to reports, Brunson arrived at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany Friday evening. From there he is expected to fly to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, not far from Washington D.C.
It was roughly two years ago that Brunson, along with thousands of others, was arrested following a failed coup in Turkey. Accused of espionage and terror-related charges, which his lawyers say are sham charges without supporting evidence, he has been held by the Turkish legal system since. Brunson faced up to 35 years in prison if convicted — the equivalent of a life sentence for the 50-year-old pastor.
Originally from Black Mountain, NC, Brunson, lived and worked as a Christian pastor in Turkey for over two decades, along with his wife and three children, two of whom were born there.
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Relief after suffering
Throughout his captivity, Brunson has maintained his innocence. On Friday, his saga finally came to an end when the Turkish court dropped the espionage charge. He was found guilty of the terror charges and sentenced to three years and one month in prison — however, the judge commuted the sentence on time already served.
“I love Jesus. I love Turkey,” said a tearful Brunson in the courtroom.
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The somewhat sudden decision to release Brunson seems to have been caused by witness testimony which not only undermined the allegations against Brunson but suggested that Turkey was using Brunson as leverage against the United States. It is almost as if, with the release, Turkey was looking to immediately distance itself from any notions of judicial illegitimacy.
Subsequently, a statement was released on behalf of Brunson by the American Center for Law and Justice, an agency that has been actively working to obtain his freedom:
We are grateful for the President’s commitment and efforts in securing my release. My entire family thanks the President, the Administration, and Congress for their unwavering support. This is the day our family has been praying for — I am delighted to be on my way home to the United State.
Triumphant Trump
Cheers burst forth as President Trump told supporters at a Lebanon, Ohio, rally on Friday night of his latest international success.
Do you think President Trump's strong leadership played a role in pastor Brunson's release?
“We bring a lot of people back,” he said.
With that brief but powerful statement, we are reminded of the president’s previous successes, such as last May, when he managed to bring home three American hostages who were being held in North Korea and last November when he got China to release three UCLA basketball players.
The celebration was joined by Vice President Mike Pence, who tweeted:
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!
President Trump’s understanding that a strong leader equals a strong America when it comes to international affairs has our country’s value ever increasing on the global stage.
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