President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order aimed at increasing protections for U.S. nationals who are wrongfully detained abroad. The order gives the Secretary of State new authority to designate foreign countries as State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention if they are found to be involved in or supporting the wrongful detention of American citizens.
According to the order, once a country is designated, the Secretary of State can take actions such as imposing sanctions, restricting travel, applying export controls, and using other measures under existing laws to deter and respond to these detentions. The order also allows for lifting such designations if the foreign government releases wrongfully detained Americans, demonstrates changes in leadership or policy regarding wrongful detention, and provides credible assurances against future violations.
The executive action extends beyond recognized governments and includes entities that control significant territory but may not be officially recognized as governments. This provision aims to address non-state actors involved in wrongful detentions.
President Trump said the measure responds to what he described as a growing use of wrongful detentions by foreign adversaries as a coercive tactic against the United States. "Under the Biden Administration, our adversaries learned that they could take Americans as bargaining chips and that little to nothing would be done about it," Trump stated. He added, "Biden’s weakness resulted in 24 more Americans taken captive than rescued in four years."
Trump cited several recent cases where Americans were held abroad for extended periods. "Wrongful detentions violate the rule of law and exploit American citizens, with cases like Marc Fogel’s detention in Russia lasting over three years," he said. He emphasized that this new order enables the Secretary of State "to leverage existing tools against those adversaries to protect Americans abroad and proactively combat this coercive tactic."
Since returning to office, President Trump reported that his administration has secured the release of 72 detained Americans from various countries. These include Marc Fogel, an American teacher who was held in Russia; Ksenia Karelina, a ballet dancer also detained in Russia; Keith Siegel and Edan Alexander, both held hostage by Hamas; George Glezmann, who was detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan; and others.
"President Trump has consistently advocated for a strong, America First foreign policy that deters adversaries from targeting U.S. nationals," according to statements released with the order.