Trump cracks down on nations that unlawfully detain Americans
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing the punishment of countries for the illegal detention of Americans, including imposing sanctions and travel restrictions to protect US citizens, according to a live broadcast from the White House.
The Trump administration has received new powers to deter foreign states from illegally detaining US citizens and to protect the country’s sovereignty.
The signed law allows the Secretary of State to impose sanctions on violating countries and travel restrictions for US passport holders to states that use the capture of Americans for political leverage over Washington.
According to senior administration officials, the purpose of the executive order is to increase the effectiveness of diplomacy and prevent Americans from being held against their will.
Specifically, the Trump administration has so far secured the release of 72 Americans who were illegally detained abroad.
On Friday at the White House, Trump criticized his predecessor Joe Biden’s approach to returning illegally detained US citizens, saying it made them vulnerable to hostile governments. “They have to respect your country. They respect you and they respect your country,” Trump said, also referencing former President Barack Obama.
The new executive order conceptually resembles the designation of state sponsors of terrorism and targets countries that hold Americans to gain political leverage. It includes measures such as sanctions, travel restrictions, control over US exports, reduction or suspension of foreign aid, and asset seizure.
Both Trump and Biden have previously participated in prisoner exchange mechanisms to bring Americans home. For example, in 2022, the Biden administration secured the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout, and later released Marine veteran Paul Whelan and other citizens. After returning to the office, Trump negotiated with Russia to secure the release of American teacher Mark Vogel, convicted of smuggling medical marijuana, calling it a gesture of goodwill.
The initiative has received support from activists such as Diane Foley, the mother of journalist James Foley, who was captured in Syria and killed by ISIS in 2014. She called on Congress to pass the Hostage Taking Prevention Act, which would allow the Secretary of State to designate foreign governments as state sponsors of unlawful detention. According to her, these new powers are meant to signal that involvement in hostage diplomacy has serious consequences for violating states.
Additionally, US President Donald Trump signed an order restoring the US Department of War.
