Pastor Andrew Brunson: From Turkey to the White House

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

President Donald Trump welcomed yet another American freed from detention in another country as a direct result of the President's firm hand when dealing with other nations.  Pastor Andrew Brunson was released from prison where he has been held in Turkey for two years, and he has now arrived back in the United States.  When asked about the negotiations that freed the imprisoned pastor, Trump said there were no deals.

"There was no deal made at all. There was no deal. But we're very happy to have him and have him in good shape." Trump told reporters.  Later in the White House the President said, "There is no ransom in the United States."

Brunson was jailed in Turkey after being accused of having links to Kurdish militants and supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the cleric blamed by Turkey's government for a coup attempt in 2016.

The Turkish court sentenced Brunson to three years and 1-1/2 months in prison on terrorism charges.

Brunson kissing the American Flag upon arrival

Brunson, a missionary resident of Turkey for more than 20 years denied the accusations.

Conservative commentators have indicated that the release of the pastor reminds us once again how sanctions, and the threat of sanctions, can be a valuable tool in ensuring that bad actors in the world cooperate with U.S. requests.

While in the White House with the President, Brunson prayed over Donald Trump, thanking the Lord for our strong President.

According to President Trump the release of Brunson has actually helped ease tensions between the United States and Turkey.

Brunson joins Josh Holt who was released from Venezuela last May, and the four prisoners released by North Korea recently, on the list of detained U.S. citizens that the Trump administration has successfully earned the release of.  Other detained U.S. citizens in Turkey, Iran, and other countries, remain on the president's radar.  One thing is for sure; under this President of the United States, it has been proven that a firm hand breeds success when it comes to getting countries who normally would not cooperate with the U.S. to play ball.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary